Alphabet Commits $5B to Waymo; GM Kills Cruise Origin

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What You Need to Know Today

Alphabet is deepening its position in the future of self-driving cars by committing another $5B investment in Waymo over the next few years. The funds are intended to help Waymo build the “world’s leading autonomous driving technology company,” according to CFO Ruth Porat.

GM-owned Cruise is abandoning Origin, a purpose-built robotaxi without a steering wheel or pedals. Instead, the company will use the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt for its operations. The decision to pause production will cost the automaker about $583M.

Interestingly, Waymo just started testing its own custom-built robotaxi from Zeekr on public roads in San Francisco. In contrast to Waymo’s main fleet of self-driving Jaguar I-Paces, the new minivan-esque vehicle incorporates Waymo’s sixth generation Driver system, which is both more cost-effective and capable of operating in winter environments (perhaps in new cities outside of temperate California, Arizona, and Texas?)

If you live in the Bay Area, you may soon see Waymo robotaxis en route to San Francisco International Airport. Company executives are reportedly trying to secure approval for airport drop-offs and pick-ups, potentially one of the most lucrative (and so far untapped) use-cases for robotaxis.

Tesla’s automotive sales dipped 7% in Q2, compared to last year, continuing a downward trend that will force the company to accelerate AI, software, and fleet-based projects.

On that note, Tesla has officially rescheduled its robotaxi launch for October 10. The original August 8 launch needed to be postponed due to design changes, according to the company.

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Softbank’s billionaire founder, Masayoshi Son, is quietly meeting with the world’s largest automakers and urging them to join forces on autonomous technology: “Befitting his maverick approach, Mr. Son’s pitch does not resemble other efforts to develop autonomous vehicles. He is trying to convince automakers from around the world, rivals under most scenarios, to work together to use artificial intelligence to accelerate autonomous driving advances.”

Silicon Valley startup Vayu unveiled a new delivery robot that can navigate city streets at 20mph (32 kph) using a transformer-based mobility foundation model instead of lidar.

Toyota Research Institute and Stanford used AI to make two race cars drift in tandem autonomously. The researchers say the demo is meant to showcase how self-driving technology could help drivers on slippery roads.

Southern China’s tech hub of Shenzhen plans to put 20 autonomous buses into service by the end of 2024.

May Mobility’s AV microtransit service reached a milestone of 10,000 riders in Grand Rapids, MI.

EHang, a Chinese air taxi company, has entered into an agreement with one of Hong Kong’s largest transportation companies to promote the operation of EHang’s pilotless eVTOLs in Hong Kong, Macau, and other cities across China.

The US Department of Commerce wants to limit Chinese code in cars.

Related: Chinese lidar maker Hesai is fighting back against Pentagon blacklisting. In China, the company just inked a $300M deal to provide sensor technology for Baidu’s robocabs.

Kodiak’s first self-driving semi-trucks will roll out in Texas later this year through a new partnership with Atlas Energy Solutions.

Kentucky now allows self-driving vehicles, although it may be a while before robocars start to crop up on the state’s road.

Elon Musk claims Tesla will start producing humanoid robots next year and selling them by 2026.

Monarch, an autonomous electric tractor startup, has raised $133M in Series C funds to ramp up production and expand to new markets. The round, led by Astanor and HH-CTBC Partnership L.P, values Monarch at more than $500M.