Volkswagen begins testing its self-driving microbuses in Los Angeles ahead of launch with Uber

Volkswagen subsidiary MOIA America still has a long and winding regulatory road before it can launch a commercial robotaxi service.

Waymo opens robotaxi service in Nashville, partners with Lyft

Waymo now operates commercial robotaxi services in 11 cities, with various methods to hail.

Robotaxi companies won’t say how often remote operators intervene
Robotaxi companies won’t say how often remote operators intervene

Autonomous vehicle companies are refusing to disclose key details about their use of remote assistance teams, including how often these workers are forced to intervene to help their self-driving cars. Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) had asked robotaxi companies to disclose the information as part of an investigation by his office into the use of remote […]

TechCrunch Mobility: ‘A stunning lack of transparency’

Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility — your central hub for news and insights on the future of transportation. T

Robotaxi companies refuse to say how often their AVs need remote help

Aurora, May Mobility, Motional, Nuro, Tesla, Waymo, and Zoox all refused to cough up a number during Senator Ed Markey’s recent investigation.

Tesla expands unsupervised ‘Robotaxi’ area in Austin with only a handful of cars
Tesla expands unsupervised ‘Robotaxi’ area in Austin with only a handful of cars

Tesla has expanded the geofence for its unsupervised “Robotaxi” service in Austin, Texas, growing the area where vehicles can operate without a safety monitor inside the car.

But social media sightings indicate that only a handful of vehicles — some…

Waymo starts robotaxi services at San Antonio International Airport

It’s the fourth airport Waymo is serving, adding to Phoenix Sky Harbor, San Francisco, and San Jose International airports.

TechCrunch Mobility: When a robotaxi has to call 911

Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility — your central hub for news and insights on the future of transportation.

Waymo’s skyrocketing ridership in one chart

Waymo’s weekly paid robotaxi trips have increased tenfold in less than two years.

California regulator confirms Tesla is ‘not operating an autonomous vehicle service’
California regulator confirms Tesla is ‘not operating an autonomous vehicle service’

California’s top transportation regulator has made it explicit: Tesla is not operating an autonomous vehicle service in the state. The company holds the same permit as a limousine company.

Pat Tsen, the deputy executive director for consumer policy,…