Self-driving Vehicles
Uber, Wayve launch London's first robotaxi service with safety driver
Uber and British tech company Wayve are launching London's first self-driving taxi service on Thursday, giving residents a chance to use technology that's already available in many US cities and other parts of the world. The two companies said they're starting with a small rollout of Ford Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles outfitted with Wayve's autonomous vehicle technology. Compared with the US and China - countries where robotaxis operate autonomously in several cities, with no human driver - Europe has been taking a more cautious approach on self-driving cabs. In London, there will still be a person behind the wheel overseeing the trip who can grab the wheel or tap the brakes if there's a problem. Under the UK government's pilot framework, self-driving taxi operators like Uber and Wayve still need approval to operate without a human safety driver. "That process is still playing out," and it's not clear how long it will take, said Sarfraz Maredia, Uber's head of autonomous ...
 "Uber, Wayve launch London's first robotaxi service with safety driver")
US unveils advanced female crash test dummy to boost driver safety
The US government has released a new crash test dummy design that advocates believe will help make cars safer for women. The Department of Transportation will consider using the dummy in the government's vehicle crash test five star-ratings once a final rule is adopted, the agency said in a news release on Thursday. Women are 73 per cent more likely to be injured in a head-on crash, and they are 17 per cent more likely to be killed in a car crash, than men. The standard crash test dummy used in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration five-star vehicle testing was developed in 1978 and was modelled after a 5-foot-9, 78-kilogram man. The female dummy is smaller and has a rubber jacket to represent breasts. It's routinely tested in the passenger or back seat but seldom in the driver's seat, even though the majority of licensed drivers are women. The new female dummy endorsed by the department more accurately reflects differences between men and women, including the shape o
 "US unveils advanced female crash test dummy to boost driver safety")
Alphabet's self-driving unit fires over 200 employees, 8% of its workforce
Alphabet's self-driving unit Waymo has sacked more than 200 employees in its second round of layoffs
 "Alphabet's self-driving unit fires over 200 employees, 8% of its workforce")
CES 2023: Qualcomm unveils new SoC for automated driving in vehicles
Qualcomm Technologies has unveiled a new System-on-Chip (SoC) to support digital cockpit and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2023
 "CES 2023: Qualcomm unveils new SoC for automated driving in vehicles")
Self-driving startup WeRide deepens ties with Nissan, raises $310 million
WeRide, a China-based autonomous driving startup, said that it would deepen development with Nissan on autonomous driving technology for the China market as it raised $310 mn at a $3.3 bn valuation
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Honda Motor to sell limited batch of level 3 self-driving cars
The firm said it will sell a limited batch of its flagship Legend sedan equipped with level 3 autonomous driving technology
 "Honda Motor to sell limited batch of level 3 self-driving cars")
Lyft, Waymo reach deal to team up for self-driving cars
The deal between Waymo and Lyft has competitive implications for Uber
 "Lyft, Waymo reach deal to team up for self-driving cars")