In autonomous & self-driving vehicle news are WeRide, Waymo, Whale Dynamic, Cyngn, Aeva, Mobileye, TIER IV and Perrone Robotics.
WeRide Robotaxi Launches in Saudi Arabia & Middle East
WeRide has begun groundwork for its Robotaxi trial operations in Saudi Arabia, supported by the Transport General Authority, with service set to launch on Uber in the coming months and full commercialization expected by late 2025. This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to build smart, sustainable cities through innovative transport solutions. Alongside Robotaxis, WeRide has deployed Robobuses in key locations and introduced the Robosweeper S1 at King Fahad Medical City, marking the region’s first monetized autonomous sanitation project. These moves follow WeRide’s expansion across the Middle East, including fully driverless Robotaxi testing in Abu Dhabi and an extended partnership with Uber to deploy Robotaxis in 15 cities globally.
Waymo Targets Houston, Orlando & San Antonio in 2025
Waymo, the autonomous vehicle division of Alphabet, has announced plans to expand its testing operations to three new U.S. cities: Houston, Orlando, and San Antonio. As part of what the company is calling its 2025 “road trip,” Waymo will deploy its vehicles for manual driving in these locations to collect valuable real-world data. While the initiative does not guarantee the eventual launch of a commercial robotaxi service in these cities, it also doesn’t rule it out. Instead, the effort is aimed at evaluating how Waymo’s self-driving technology performs across a variety of urban environments, regional traffic patterns, and weather conditions.
These new cities present a mix of driving challenges and climatic diversity, offering Waymo an expanded testing ground to further refine its autonomous driving system. The company emphasizes that learning from different geographies is crucial to building a resilient and adaptable AV platform. This move follows Waymo’s previous testing in locations such as Las Vegas, Miami, and even internationally in Japan, reinforcing its broader strategy of scaling and fine-tuning its technology before introducing wider commercial deployment.
Whale Dynamic and Noodoe Unite to Deliver First Fully Autonomous EV Delivery and Charging Ecosystem
Whale Dynamic, a leader in Level-4 autonomous delivery vehicles, has partnered with EV charging software pioneer Noodoe to launch the industry’s first integrated system connecting self-driving delivery vans with AI-powered charging management. Their collaboration enables autonomous electric vehicles to independently locate, schedule, and pay for charging using Noodoe’s EV OS, streamlining 24/7 zero-emission delivery operations. With joint pilot deployments planned across North America, the partnership aims to revolutionize logistics by merging autonomous mobility, energy infrastructure, and cloud intelligence into one seamless, hands-off solution.
Cyngn Secures 23rd U.S. Patent
Cyngn Inc. (Nasdaq: CYN) has received a Notice of Allowance for its 23rd U.S. patent, reinforcing its leadership in AI-powered autonomous vehicle technologies. The new patent covers a modular sensor system designed to integrate with a wide range of existing industrial machines with minimal modification. This innovation enhances adaptability across various machine geometries and operational needs. CEO Lior Tal emphasized the growing patent portfolio as a key asset supporting Cyngn’s DriveMod platform and long-term R&D efforts. The milestone highlights Cyngn’s continued momentum in securing critical IP to enable scalable, differentiated AV solutions.
Aeva’s 4D LiDAR Chosen
Aeva Technologies has announced that its long-range 4D LiDAR sensor, Aeva Atlas™, will be integrated into the autonomous delivery vehicles of Swiss company Loxo. Designed for middle- and last-mile logistics, Loxo’s Digital Driver platform will leverage Aeva’s advanced perception system to enhance safety, object tracking, and localization—even in GPS-challenged environments like tunnels. With capabilities including 500-meter range, instant velocity detection, and reliable performance in adverse weather, Aeva’s sensors are set to enable real-world autonomous deployment at scale across Europe and beyond.
Mobileye’s Advanced 4D Imaging Radar Selected
Mobileye has announced that a major global automaker will integrate its next-generation Mobileye Imaging Radar™ into a Level 3 eyes-off, hands-off automated driving system beginning in 2028. Developed since 2018, the radar provides high-resolution, 4D environmental perception, detecting vehicles, pedestrians, and small objects in challenging conditions like fog, rain, and tunnels—where traditional sensors often struggle.
Featuring 11 TOPS of processing power, over 1,500 virtual channels, and detection ranges up to 315 meters, the radar uses proprietary RFICs and a fully digital architecture to offer superior accuracy, height perception, and long-distance hazard detection at highway speeds exceeding 75 mph (130 kph). The selection validates Mobileye’s strategy to provide scalable, cost-effective sensor redundancy for autonomous systems, and further solidifies its leadership in the ADAS and AV sectors.
TIER IV Launches DTV Starter Kit
TIER IV, a leader in open-source autonomous driving technology, has unveiled its DTV Starter Kit—a drivable test vehicle designed to simplify the development and validation of autonomous systems. Created in partnership with Whale Dynamic, the kit integrates seamlessly with Autoware, the open-source platform pioneered by TIER IV.
The DTV Kit includes pre-synchronized ECUs and sensors, scalable hardware from TIER IV’s Edge.Auto platform, and is supported by TIER IV’s Web.Auto DevOps environment, enabling developers to transition from simulation to real-world testing with ease.
As part of the TIER IV Autoware Partner Program, users receive hands-on training and support, making the kit ideal for both newcomers and experienced developers looking to validate their systems in real environments. This initiative marks a key step in expanding the Autoware ecosystem and lowering the barrier to entry in autonomous vehicle innovation.
Perrone Robotics Celebrates National AV Day
On National Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Day, May 31, Perrone Robotics celebrates its tangible contributions to the AV industry, highlighting widespread deployments of its patented TONY® AV and ADAS Kits. These modular, vehicle-agnostic solutions have been integrated into platforms ranging from Ford E-Transit vans and 40-foot buses to law enforcement cruisers and electric neighborhood vehicles.
Over the past year, Perrone’s technology has powered autonomous and advanced driver-assistance operations across diverse sectors including public transit, university campuses, military off-road applications, and community mobility. Key deployments include:
- Ford E-Transit vans in Detroit’s Connect AV pilot
- Gillig diesel buses retrofitted for ADAS via NEORide
- Battery-electric buses in yard automation
- Ford Explorers for autonomous policing
- UTVs and LSVs for off-road and low-speed mobility
Stakeholders from cities, universities, transit agencies, and law enforcement praised the impact Perrone’s AV solutions have had on safety, innovation, and operational readiness. CEO Paul Perrone emphasized the company’s focus on real-world results over speculative hype: “Autonomy isn’t a press release for us. It’s a product. It’s deployed. It’s working.”