Biden Admin Pushes Ban on Chinese AV Tech

Welcome to the Ride AI Newsletter, your weekly digest of important events and new developments at the intersection of technology and transportation.

What You Need to Know Today

Earlier this week the Biden administration proposed a ban on Chinese hardware and software from connected vehicles, citing national security concerns. In conjunction with a soon-to-be-enacted 100% tariff on Chinese EVs, the rule would effectively bar Chinese trucks and cars from the U.S. market. 

Drivers are apparently quite good at getting around the rules set by ADAS systems. According to a new IIHS study, motorists are more likely to engage in non-driving activities, like checking their phone or eating a sandwich, when using partial driving assistance. 

Cruise is returning to the Bay Area almost one year after a pedestrian-dragging incident halted its robotaxi operations. The GM-backed company will deploy a handful of mapping vehicles in Sunnyvale and Mountain View this fall for supervised testing. 

Waymo is reportedly in talks with Hyundai to outsource production of its robotaxis. But officially Waymo says it is still pursuing a manufacturing partnership with Chinese automaker Zeekr. 

Meanwhile Karl Iagnemma, the CEO and president of Hyundai-backed self-driving startup Motional, is stepping down. CTO Laura Major will become interim CEO. 

Kiwibot is acquiring ad startup Nickelytics for $25M with the objective of turning its semi-autonomous delivery robots into mobile billboards. 

Mercedes-Benz is literally pushing the pedal down on ADAS. Drive Pilot, the automaker’s L3 driver-assist system, will now support speeds of up to 95kmh (59mph) on German highways.

Drone Express is launching the first drone deliveries in Winston-Salem, NC.  

Autonomous electric aviation firm Pyka has raised $40M in Series B funding, led by Obvious Ventures. The capital injection comes at a time when the Bay Area startup is exploring new applications for its self-flying planes. Beyond crop-dusting and cargo transportation, Pyka recently attracted the interest of the Pentagon for defense projects. 

Freight-tech startup Aifleet has raised $16M in Series B funding to expand operations.

Oxa, a Google-backed startup that develops self-driving software, has acquired StreetDrone, a British company that specializes in industrial logistics.

Learning to drive in the age of ADAS can be a strange experience. An Arizona teenager who recently passed the driving test was denied a license because the DMV deemed the vehicle she used, a Tesla Model Y, was “too advanced.”