Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility, your go-to source for the latest in transportation technology. If you haven’t already, sign up for free updates!
It’s been a bustling week in the industry, particularly regarding federal regulations. The U.S. Department of Transportation has introduced a new Automated Vehicle Framework, implementing a standing general order (SGO) for crash reporting on vehicles with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and automated driving systems (ADS). Key changes have also been made to the Automated Vehicle Exemption Program (AVEP), which deals with the exemptions for both domestic and imported vehicles.
The revised SGO reduces the previous mandatory 24-hour crash reporting deadline to a five-day window for vehicles equipped with Level 2 systems involved in accidents. Critics, such as Consumer Reports, argue that the administration is making it easier for manufacturers to report incidents, while supporters claim the changes afford companies the opportunity to gather more meaningful data.
Previously, any vehicle with Level 2 or higher ADAS had to report crashes within five days, regardless of the severity—unless there was a fatality or vulnerable road user involved. The new rule now only applies to vehicles with ADS, significantly decreasing the reporting burden for many manufacturers.
In a recent interview, DOT Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged the need for comprehensive data collection but noted issues with the previous stringent rules, specifically mentioning minor scrapes causing excessive reporting hurdles.
In other news, the EV startup Slate debuted at an event in Long Beach, California, where further insights revealed it as a "transformer" for potential customers, echoing themes from the animated series.
Regarding financial activities in the sector, Ather Energy, an Indian electric two-wheeler manufacturer, has scaled down its initial public offer by 18%, while DoorDash is looking to acquire Deliveroo for $3.6 billion. The hybrid electric aircraft startup Electra has raised $115 million, and travel startup Fora secured $60 million in funding.
On the journey towards autonomous transport, Waymo’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, hinted at future possibilities for personal vehicle ownership amidst talks on licensing their technology. Meanwhile, Tesla has begun testing its ride-hail service, and Volkswagen alongside Uber plans to roll out an electric robotaxi service in several U.S. cities by 2026.
The electric vehicle sector saw notable developments as Rivian appointed AI co-founder Aidan Gomez to its board, indicating a strategic direction toward software innovation. On the other end of the spectrum, Faraday Future faced challenges with ongoing SEC investigations yet appointed founder Jia Yueting as co-CEO once again.
In the ride-hailing domain, the Federal Trade Commission has sued Uber over alleged unauthorized charges for its subscription service, while Lyft‘s loss led to Uber forming a new partnership with Delta SkyMiles to reward points for rides and deliveries.
Stay tuned for more insights and news from the dynamic world of mobility!
Fanpage: TechArena.au
Watch more about AI – Artificial Intelligence
