Waymo, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Alphabet, has reached a significant milestone with its robotaxis completing over 50,000 paid trips monthly in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. This achievement reflects the increasing adoption of autonomous technology in the mobility sector, as passengers embrace the convenience and safety of driverless transportation.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, arrived in Beijing on April 28 for an unexpected visit. The visit came after Musk canceled his scheduled trip to India to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Musk stated that he is a ‘big fan’ of China and has many fans there, indicating a reciprocal relationship. China is Tesla’s second-largest market after the US and has recently cleared regulatory obligations for the rollout of self-driving software. Social media users reacted to Musk’s visit, expressing appreciation for China while also highlighting the importance of promoting human rights. Musk’s praise for China during his visit highlights the growing relationship between the two.
Chinese tech giant Huawei, a rival to Apple Inc., has unveiled its new software brand, ‘Qiankun,’ for intelligent driving. The move is part of Huawei’s strategic plan to establish a significant presence in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Huawei’s Intelligent Automotive Solution (IAS) business unit CEO, Jin Yuzhi, announced the news ahead of the Beijing Auto Show. Qiankun, which symbolizes a blend of heaven and the Kunlun Mountains, is set to provide self-driving systems covering the driving chassis, audio, and driver’s seat. Huawei aims to revolutionize intelligent driving by 2024. Jin predicts that ‘2024 will be the first year for mass commercialization of smart driving,’ and anticipates that over 10 car models using Huawei’s Qiankun system will be on the market within a year.
A 56-year-old Tesla driver in Snohomish, Washington, caused a fatal accident while using the car’s advanced driver assist system (ADAS). The system, believed to be Autopilot, failed to detect a motorcyclist, leading to a collision that resulted in the motorcyclist’s death. The Tesla driver, who was allegedly inattentive and had consumed alcohol prior to the crash, faces charges of Vehicular Homicide. The incident highlights concerns about the safety and reliability of driver assist systems, particularly in the absence of strict regulations and industry guidelines. Tesla maintains that its systems require attentive drivers, but critics argue that the company has misled consumers by promoting its vehicles as self-driving.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has taken a dig at Waymo’s self-driving cars, suggesting that Tesla’s stainless steel Cybertruck might be a better option for robotaxis in San Francisco due to recent vandalism incidents. This comment was made in response to a parody video that showcased the durability of the Cybertruck, which claims to have a bulletproof exterior and armored glass windows. San Francisco has been experiencing hostility towards self-driving vehicles, with several incidents of vandalism. Waymo, a leading player in autonomous vehicle development, has seen its vehicles vandalized and even set ablaze in the past. Musk’s comments come as Tesla prepares to unveil its own self-driving robotaxis, which are set to be revealed on August 8th.
