TechCrunch reports that Waymo is committing a new round of funding of "up to $5B" over the next few years. This is not truly news though since it is just consistent with their recent annual investments.
TechCrunch reports on how Waymo is testing Chinese Zeekr vehicles as a possible replacement for their Jaguar I-Paces. But Congress might limit or ban Chinese connected vehicles.
SF Standard reports that a person who allegedly slashed the tires of 17 Waymo robotaxis is being held in jail without bail. Also, “Waymo is also taking steps to recover the damages sustained". Google has become pure evil.
Washington Post reports that "cyclists can't decide whether to fear or love self-driving cars" and then reports that most cyclists really don't think they are safe. Peculiar. They should have mentioned that the real problem with robotaxis is that it just means more cars, and all cars are a problem.
From Fox 10 in Phoenix. Not only did the police have to pull over another Waymo for driving dangerously, it was because once again the vehicle crossed the center line and drove into oncoming traffic.
SF Chronicle reports on how San Francisco has now become the 2nd city, after Phoenix, to allow anyone to hail Waymo robotaxi. No more waiting list. Happy tourists! Just like smiling tourists excitingly using Segway scooters in Golden Gate Park!
Unfortunately SB 915, legislation to allow local regulations for AVs, was pulled by the author due to other legislatures gutting it. The press release by Senator Cortese is provided here so that readers can understand what happened.
The SF Chronicle reports on how the CPUC has upheld its March decision to allow Waymo expansion to San Mateo County and Los Angeles. This was done even though local officials were very much against the expansion.
While Waymo has long claimed to the public and to the CPUC that they use only clean energy, it turns out their vehicles are actually embarrassingly dirty. And the worst part is that Waymo is trying to hide information from the public that would clearly show that they are not using renewable energy for their surprisingly inefficient vehicles.
The Verge reports that Wayside mo has issued a software update after one of their vehicles crashed into a stationary pole. But Waymo never mentions why the vehicle crashed into a large stationary pole, which shouldn't have happened regardless of mapping or configuration issues.
Waymo tries its best to hide information from the public. But by closely looking at what little data is available from the California PUC one can see that Waymo vehicles are empty for 52% of the miles traveled. Instead of reducing VMT, they more than double it for replaced automobile trips.
