Waymo, the autonomous driving division of Alphabet, has announced plans to launch tests of its self-driving car technology in Tokyo in early 2025. This will mark the first time the company's autonomous taxis operate on public roads outside of the United States. The expansion into Japan is part of Waymo's 'Road Trip' initiative, aimed at deploying its technology across multiple cities and conducting field tests, each facing unique challenges. In Tokyo, Waymo’s autonomous taxis will encounter different traffic conditions compared to the U.S., including left-side driving.

Uber has formed a strategic partnership with the autonomous taxi company Cruise, planning to offer autonomous ride services through the Uber app next year, potentially covering cities like Phoenix, Dallas, and Houston. Cruise, which paused its service last year due to safety incidents, has now resumed operations under the supervision of safety drivers. This marks an important move for Uber in the self-driving sector, also collaborating with Waymo and Aurora. The partnership with Cruise aims not only to expand autonomous...

Chinese autonomous vehicle company WeRide has made significant progress in California, obtaining a permit for self-driving vehicle testing that allows passenger rides on public roads, although currently it is not permitted to charge fees or offer services to the public. WeRide had previously obtained a permit in 2021 to test autonomous vehicles without passengers on public roads. However, the company's commercialization progress in California appears to be slow, with its autonomous driving mileage in 2023 far below that of competitor Waymo. WeRide is preparing to raise nearly $5 billion.

Recently, General Motors (GM) announced the suspension of production for the Cruise Origin autonomous taxi. According to a report by The New York Times, GM has decided to shift its focus to the already in-use Chevrolet Bolt EV, with a modified version set to be launched next year.Image source: Generated by AI, image licensed through Midjourney Regarding this decision, GM CEO Mary Barra stated in a letter to shareholders that the design of the Cruise Origin led to "regulatory uncertainty." The ve