TechCrunch Mobility: RIP, Tesla Autopilot, and the NTSB investigates Waymo

In a significant development for the world of autonomous vehicles, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has initiated an investigation into Waymo after reports surfaced of its robotaxis illegally overtaking stopped school buses in multiple states. This scrutiny comes as the landscape of automated driving technology continues to evolve rapidly. This week, Tesla made headlines by rolling out robotaxi rides in Austin without a human driver present in the front seat, a notable step toward its vision of driverless transportation. This follows a limited service launch in the city last year, where modified Tesla Model Y vehicles utilized a more advanced version of Tesla's driving software. Although human safety drivers had previously been required, this new phase indicates Tesla's ambitious push to expand its driverless fleet, though not all vehicles will operate without oversight. However, the company also announced the discontinuation of its Autopilot system, a decision that raises eyebrows. Introduced in 2014, Autopilot underwent numerous updates and sparked both popularity and controversy due to the misleading implications of its name. While its basic features, providing traffic-aware cruise control and lane centering, were once standard, the recent removal of Autopilot comes amid Tesla's transition to a subscription model for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. The strategic shift to eliminate the Autopilot branding appears to be part of Tesla's effort to bolster its revenues as it repositions itself as a leader in AI and robotics. This move follows a court ruling that placed Tesla's manufacturing and dealer licenses under a 30-day suspension due to allegations of deceptive marketing regarding Autopilot's capabilities. Meanwhile, in an exciting turn for drone delivery services, Zipline, a company known for its innovative logistics solutions, has secured $600 million in funding, propelling its expansion into U.S. markets. Originally focusing on medical supply deliveries in Rwanda, Zipline's new drone platform aims to revolutionize home delivery in cities like Houston and Phoenix. In a series of noteworthy funding rounds, ABZ Innovation, a European drone manufacturer, raised $8.2 million, while Ethernovia, a California-based startup specializing in autonomous vehicle systems, secured $90 million for its Series B round. Additionally, Serve Robotics, which develops sidewalk delivery robots, has acquired Diligent Robotics in a deal valuing the latter at $29 million. Looking ahead, General Motors is shifting production of two gas-powered vehicles to a U.S. factory, marking the end of the Chevrolet Bolt EV in Kansas. In contrast, Geely Holding Group has ambitious plans for its robotaxi fleet, aiming to deploy 100,000 vehicles in major Chinese cities by 2030. As Tesla looks to revive its third-generation AI chip for a different purpose, Waymo has also expanded its robotaxi services to Miami, signaling a competitive race in the realm of autonomous driving. With these developments, the future of transportation remains dynamic and full of possibilities.