News

Tesla & Cybercab News

Curated links and summaries from authoritative publications covering Tesla, Cybercab, autonomy, and related developments.

Cybercab Blog curates and comments on publicly available news from third-party publications. Linked articles remain the property of their respective publishers. Cybercab Blog is not affiliated with Tesla, Inc. or the publications linked from this page.

Robotaxi Electrek

Waymo picks Toyota bZ4X as its next robotaxi, starting in Japan in 2027

Waymo has announced that it will incorporate the Toyota bZ4X into its robotaxi fleet, with a custom version being produced in Japan. The test fleet is set to begin operations in Tokyo in 2027, marking the first vehicle from the partnership established last year between Waymo and Toyota.

Why it matters: This matters because it highlights the growing collaboration between automakers and autonomous technology companies, potentially influencing the competitive landscape for robotaxi services. For Cybercab followers, the introduction of a Japanese-built robotaxi adds a new dimension to the global rollout of autonomous vehicles.

Robotaxi Automotive News

Toyota to build Waymo robotaxis for Japan, U.K. in first step to creating large-scale global business

Toyota has announced plans to manufacture Waymo's sixth-generation robotaxis in Japan, with subsequent deployment in the U.K. This initiative marks the beginning of a broader strategy to establish a global robotaxi business.

Why it matters: This matters because it highlights the competitive landscape in the robotaxi sector, where established automakers like Toyota are collaborating with tech companies like Waymo. For Cybercab followers, this development signifies a shift towards larger-scale operations in autonomous transportation, potentially impacting the market dynamics for Tesla and other players.

Robotaxi TechCrunch

Waymo taps Toyota to supply robotaxis for Japan and the U.K.

Waymo has announced a partnership with Toyota to test self-driving versions of the electric bZ4X in Japan starting next year. This initiative marks a significant step in Waymo's expansion into international markets, particularly in Japan and the U.K.

Why it matters: This matters because it highlights the growing collaboration between tech companies and traditional automakers in the robotaxi space. For Cybercab followers, this development underscores the competitive landscape as various players, including Tesla, navigate the evolving market for autonomous vehicles.

Autonomous Driving Electrek

Ex-Tesla Autopilot head calls vision-only a ‘weird religious stance’

Sterling Anderson, former head of Tesla's Autopilot, criticized Tesla's decision to rely solely on cameras for self-driving technology, calling it a 'weird religious stance' that overlooks physical realities. His comments come as Tesla is deploying camera-only Cybercabs in Austin for driverless service.

Why it matters: This matters because it highlights ongoing debates within the autonomous driving community regarding the effectiveness of vision-only systems versus sensor-based approaches. For Cybercab followers, understanding these critiques is crucial as Tesla continues to advance its driverless technology.

Robotaxi Electrek

Tesla’s rocket-shaped Robotaxi map in Houston is partly ‘fake’

Tesla's newly launched rocket-shaped Robotaxi service area in Houston has been criticized for including locations where the service does not actually operate. Ethan McKanna, a former Tesla employee, described the service area as misleading, citing an experience where he spent 40 minutes in a Robotaxi to travel just two blocks.

Why it matters: This matters because it raises concerns about the accuracy and reliability of Tesla's Robotaxi service, which is crucial for user trust and adoption. For Cybercab followers, understanding the limitations of service areas is essential as they navigate the evolving landscape of autonomous transportation.

Full Self-Driving Electrek

Korean police book 80 Tesla drivers over illegal FSD unlock devices

Seoul police have charged 80 Tesla drivers for using illegal aftermarket devices to activate Full Self-Driving features in vehicles not authorized for it in South Korea. The police also confiscated 21 of these devices, marking the largest crackdown on such FSD 'jailbreak' hardware to date.

Why it matters: This matters because it highlights ongoing regulatory challenges surrounding Full Self-Driving technology and the risks associated with unauthorized modifications. For Cybercab followers, it underscores the importance of compliance with local laws as Tesla navigates the global rollout of its autonomous features.

Robotaxi Electrek

Musk declares Tesla Robotaxi win over Waymo, but Waymo still drives 7x more

Elon Musk claimed Tesla's Robotaxi initiative is winning against Waymo, citing a recent week where Tesla's fleet logged 438,000 miles in Austin, surpassing Waymo's 406,000-mile average. However, Waymo still maintains a significant lead, driving about seven times more miles across the U.S. weekly.

Why it matters: This matters because it highlights the competitive landscape of autonomous vehicle technology. For Cybercab followers, understanding the current mileage metrics and claims from both Tesla and Waymo is crucial in assessing the progress and viability of robotaxi services in the market.

Robotaxi Electrek

Waymo adds nearly 250 square miles of robotaxi coverage in 5 cities

Waymo is expanding its driverless robotaxi service by nearly 250 square miles across five cities: Los Angeles, Nashville, Orlando, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area. This expansion will take place over the next week and adds to areas where Waymo already operates without a human driver.

Why it matters: This matters because Waymo's expansion demonstrates the growing competition in the robotaxi space, particularly as Tesla continues to develop its own autonomous services. For Cybercab followers, understanding these developments is crucial as they highlight the rapid advancements and market dynamics in autonomous transportation.

Full Self-Driving TechCrunch

Tesla turns to Turo to boost adoption of Full Self-Driving (Supervised)

Tesla has partnered with Turo to enhance the adoption of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. Eligible hosts on the Turo platform will receive a one-month free trial of the FSD software, potentially increasing user engagement and familiarity with Tesla's autonomous driving technology.

Why it matters: This matters because it represents a strategic move by Tesla to expand the reach of its FSD technology through peer-to-peer car sharing. For Cybercab followers, this partnership could lead to increased real-world testing and acceptance of autonomous vehicles, which is crucial for the future of robotaxi services.

Full Self-Driving Electrek

Tesla turns to car rental platform Turo for Full Self-Driving test drives

Tesla is partnering with Turo to allow U.S. renters to specifically search for Teslas equipped with 'Full Self-Driving' (Supervised) mode. This integration will enable Turo to verify the FSD status of each vehicle, with the feature set to launch on October 28.

Why it matters: This matters because it provides a new avenue for Tesla to showcase its Full Self-Driving technology to potential customers who do not own a Tesla. Additionally, it could boost FSD subscription numbers, which are significant for Tesla's business model and executive compensation.