NHTSA vs Self-Driving Cars

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

Today’s newsletter is supported by… LEKUMA

At the recent Taipei show, LEKUMA unveiled its latest innovation: a special cargo camping ebike. Beyond its traditional cargo capabilities, their concept reimagines the cargo ebike as a versatile tool for various applications. With adaptable features and robust design, it transforms into a multi-functional asset for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers alike. This innovation showcases LEKUMA’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of electric mobility and providing solutions that cater to diverse needs and lifestyles.

What You Need to Know Today

The honeymoon is over. In recent weeks, the AV industry has come under unprecedented scrutiny from US regulators over safety concerns, ending years of laissez-faire oversight. “In rapid succession, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened investigations into almost all the major companies testing autonomous vehicles as well as those that offer advanced driver-assist systems in their production cars. Tesla, Ford, Waymo, Cruise, and Zoox are all being probed for alleged safety lapses, with the agency examining hundreds of crashes, some of which have been fatal.”

Isuzu is teaming up with Gatik, a self-driving startup focusing on middle-mile deliveries, to manufacture L4 autonomous trucks at commercial scale by 2027. As part of the agreement, Isuzu will invest $30 million in Gatik.

Another interesting trucking partnership: Aurora and Volvo have unveiled a self-driving truck that could be on public highways in the U.S. as soon as as this summer, but with a human safety operator behind the wheel.

Chinese tech giant Baidu says it expects its robotaxi unit to break even by the end of 2024 and turn a profit by 2025.

Related: China is urging top automakers to source 25% of their chips locally by 2025.

Overland AI, an off-road autonomy startup born out of the DARPA program, has raised $10 million in seed funding.

14 Days…

FYI - Our sister conference, Micromobility Europe, is coming to Amsterdam on June 5-6. If you are passionate about the future of transportation by small electric vehicles—like electric bikes, boards, buggies, and scooters—you should definitely be there. It’s going to be two immersive days of learning, dealmaking, networking, and riding—all tailored to help you grow your business to the next level.

Best of all, tickets are on sale by 66% off until this Friday, May 24th. Book your asap!

Self-driving cars could be allowed on British roads as soon as 2026 following the passage of the UK’s Automated Vehicles Act this week.

In a new update to its FSD, Tesla is reportedly removing what its drivers call “steering wheel nag,” a feature that alerts drivers to apply pressure to the steering wheel to confirm their hands are engaged.

Renault is partnering with WeRide to put its Level 4 autonomous transit shuttle into production.

Iowa is the latest U.S. state to restrict the use of automated traffic cameras to issue tickets to drivers.

A US judge ruled that Tesla must face a class action lawsuit alleging that the carmaker misled customers into believing that their vehicles could soon have self-driving capabilities.

Michigan-based startup Voxel51 has raised $30 million in Series B funding to develop its visual AI platform.

PS Did you know we are currently giving away a brand-new, totally free Lectric XP 3.0 electric bike? It’s true! To enter to win, please fill out this brief survey.