Autonomous truck technology company Bot Auto has announced the completion of its Pre-A funding round, raising $20 million. This significant investment will accelerate Bot Auto's development of next-generation autonomous truck technology, focusing on safety and operational efficiency. Bot Auto is based in Houston, Texas, and is led by CEO and Founder Dr. Hao Xiaodi. The company comprises a team of experienced executives from the autonomous vehicle sector and top engineering talent dedicated to development.

This round of funding brings the company's total investment to $280 million in just three years and moves it closer to its plan to deploy fully autonomous trucks powered by generative AI in Texas by 2025.

The California governor vetoed a bill that required autonomous trucks to have human drivers, sparking widespread controversy. The bill was supported by many state legislators and union organizations, but the governor believes the current regulatory framework is sufficient. The governor stated that efforts will be made to mitigate the impact of autonomous trucks on employment. The DMV had consulted relevant agencies to ensure the safety of autonomous vehicles. The vast majority of California legislators supported the bill, but it was vetoed by the governor.