In autonomous and self-driving vehicle news are Uber, Lucid, Nuro, TIER IV, Baidu, Aeva, SGS’s CertX, MOTOR Ai, Apera AI,WeRide, Waymo and Tesla.
In this Article
TIER IV Unveils Open-Source Architecture for Level 4+
TIER IV, creator of the world’s first open-source autonomous driving software, has announced a breakthrough end-to-end architecture designed to support Level 4+ autonomy—enabling fully driverless operation even in unfamiliar and complex driving environments. Beginning in 2026, the system will be piloted across 50 locations in Japan as part of a large-scale demonstration project. Built on the Autoware open-source platform, the architecture employs diffusion model-based machine learning for real-time perception and decision-making, alongside rule-based logic for interpretability and stability. This hybrid design mimics human-like driving while maintaining safety and consistency. By leveraging synthetic and real-world data, TIER IV aims to scale and adapt the technology for use in both private and commercial vehicles, contributing to Japan’s mobility, regional revitalization, and industrial innovation goals.
Pronto Acquires SafeAI for Autonomous Haulage Systems
Pronto.ai has acquired SafeAI Inc., strengthening its position as the leading provider of scalable and OEM-agnostic Autonomous Haulage Systems (AHS) for off-road industries such as mining and construction. The acquisition unites two pioneers in autonomous heavy machinery, combining Pronto’s affordable, camera-only AHS technology with SafeAI’s ASIL D-certified safety framework and multi-sensor capabilities. This integration creates the industry’s first tiered autonomy platform, adaptable to operations ranging from small quarries to large-scale mines.
With this move, Pronto aims to accelerate the global deployment of its technology and cement its path toward becoming the first profitable autonomous vehicle company. CEO Anthony Levandowski emphasized that the merger expands the company’s ability to automate “everything with wheels,” enhancing its footprint across mining, quarrying, and construction sectors. The acquisition follows Pronto’s recent global agreement with Heidelberg Materials to deploy over 100 autonomous trucks and ongoing team expansion in Brazil.
The combined team brings unparalleled industry expertise, drawing from autonomous and automotive leaders such as Google, Waymo, Uber, Apple, Caterpillar, Ford, GM, Tesla, and others. This consolidation positions Pronto as the most technologically advanced autonomy provider in the off-road vehicle sector and sets the stage for rapid commercial growth in heavy industry automation.
Uber, Lucid, and Nuro Robotaxi Partnership: 20K AVs
Uber Technologies, Lucid Group, and autonomous driving company Nuro have announced a groundbreaking partnership to launch a premium global robotaxi program. At the heart of the initiative is the integration of Nuro’s Level 4 autonomous driving system, the Nuro Driver™, into Lucid’s upcoming Gravity SUV platform, optimized for Uber’s global ride-hailing network. The trio aims to deploy more than 20,000 Lucid vehicles equipped with Nuro’s autonomous technology over the next six years in dozens of markets worldwide, beginning with a major U.S. city next year. These robotaxis will be exclusively available through the Uber platform and operated by Uber or its fleet partners.
This strategic collaboration is supported by Uber’s commitment to invest several hundred million dollars in both Lucid and Nuro, deepening ties among the companies and reinforcing their shared vision for autonomous mobility at scale. The Lucid Gravity’s spacious, long-range platform is seen as well-suited for high-utilization robotaxi service, while the Nuro Driver brings years of autonomous development and safety validation across U.S. cities. A working prototype is already being tested autonomously at Nuro’s Las Vegas proving grounds, underscoring progress toward real-world deployment.
The robotaxi platform has been engineered for cost efficiency, safety, and broad deployment potential. Lucid’s software-defined architecture and 450-mile range enhance operational uptime, while the Nuro Driver’s AI-powered system enables precise, adaptable autonomy. Uber, with over 34 million trips per day across 70 countries, provides the massive scale necessary to realize the benefits of autonomous ridesharing globally. Nuro will oversee the robotaxi’s multi-layered safety validation, including simulation, controlled track testing, and supervised road operations, setting a new benchmark for AV deployment readiness.
Baidu and Uber Partner for Autonomous Ride-Hailing
Baidu and Uber have entered a multi-year strategic partnership to bring Baidu’s Apollo Go autonomous vehicles to the Uber platform in several global markets outside the U.S. and mainland China. The initiative aims to expand access to affordable, reliable ride-hailing by integrating Apollo Go’s driverless technology into Uber’s extensive transportation network. Initial rollouts are expected later this year in Asia and the Middle East.
Through this partnership, qualifying Uber riders in select regions may soon have the option to take trips in fully autonomous Apollo Go vehicles. Apollo Go currently operates over 1,000 fully driverless vehicles across 15 cities, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and has already completed more than 11 million public rides as of May. The collaboration marks a significant step in scaling AV technology internationally while enhancing Uber’s service offerings.
Leaders from both companies emphasized the global potential of this partnership. Baidu CEO Robin Li called the alliance a major milestone in bringing autonomous mobility to more people, while Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi highlighted Uber’s unique position to help accelerate AV adoption worldwide through its vast mobility and logistics platform.
Aeva Expands Partnership with Daimler Truck
Aeva, a leader in advanced sensing technology, has deepened its partnership with Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) to accelerate the commercial deployment of autonomous trucks. The expanded collaboration includes new funding from DTNA and increased production capacity of Aeva’s cutting-edge 4D LiDAR systems—capable of measuring both range and velocity up to 500 meters using low-power Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) technology. Aeva aims to produce up to 200,000 LiDAR units annually to meet growing demand, including outfitting Daimler’s Level 4 autonomous Freightliner Cascadia trucks operated by Torc Robotics in Texas. The partnership marks a significant step toward scalable, safe, and efficient autonomous freight transport.
SGS’s CertX Joins Nvidia HALOS Ecosystem
SGS has announced that its digital assurance division, CertX, has joined the Nvidia HALOS AI Systems Inspection Lab ecosystem—a significant step in bolstering the safety and reliability of AI-powered autonomous vehicles. Nvidia HALOS provides a unified safety framework for vehicle AI systems, integrating chips, models, tools, and services under ANSI-accredited inspection standards. CertX will contribute its expertise in safety certification and cybersecurity, enhancing the platform’s trust and transparency. This collaboration supports SGS’s Strategy 27 goal of adding CHF 200 million in Digital Trust revenue by 2027.
Berlin’s MOTOR Ai Raises $20M
Berlin-based startup MOTOR Ai has announced a $20 million seed funding round to bring its neuroscience-inspired, fully certified Level 4 autonomous driving system to public roads in Germany. The round was led by Segenia Capital and eCAPITAL, with support from German high-net-worth individuals. The funding will support final type approval steps and widespread deployment, marking a significant milestone for Europe’s push toward safe, transparent, and regulation-compliant autonomy.
Unlike U.S. competitors, MOTOR Ai focuses on explainable AI, using active inference from neuroscience to enable autonomous vehicles to make structured, transparent decisions. Its technology complies with Europe’s most stringent safety and data laws, including UNECE standards, ISO 26262 (ASIL-D), the EU AI Act, GDPR, and Germany’s Autonomous Vehicles Approval Ordinance. The company plans to launch supervised autonomous vehicle deployments in select German districts by the end of 2025, with full autonomy expected in 2026.
Founded in 2017 by Roy Uhlmann and Adam Bahlke, MOTOR Ai has built its entire autonomy stack in-house in Berlin, working closely with regulators from day one. Investors say the startup offers a blueprint for how Europe can scale autonomous mobility while maintaining public trust, legal transparency, and technological sovereignty—a distinct departure from the opaque, black-box models favored elsewhere.
Apera AI Launches Vue 9.50 for Industrial Robots
Apera AI, a pioneer in 4D Vision for robotic automation, has released Apera Vue 9.50, a major upgrade to its advanced vision controller software. Trusted by North America’s top automotive OEMs, the new version enhances real-world adaptability and simplifies robotic setup with tools like Vision-Based Bin Finding and Guided TCP Teaching, enabling sub-millimeter accuracy in complex automation tasks such as bin picking and assembly.
Vue 9.50 introduces features like a Recording & Playback System for easier diagnostics, Accuracy Insight for precision tuning, Placement Groups for streamlined placement programming, and improved calibration tools with ChArUco boards. Designed for unpredictable factory conditions, Vue 9.50 empowers manufacturers with faster deployment, more reliable operation, and higher automation ROI.
Scientific Systems Unveils Autonomous VENOM sUSV
Scientific Systems, a leader in AI-powered defense autonomy, has introduced its Vehicle for Expeditionary Naval Over-the-Horizon Missions (VENOM), a small Unmanned Surface Vehicle (sUSV) designed to fulfill the Navy’s demand for high-speed, autonomous interceptors. The 9-meter VENOM features a durable high-density polyethylene hull and a 300HP diesel engine, achieving speeds over 35 knots and ranges beyond 500 nautical miles. It has proven capable of autonomous obstacle avoidance, threat monitoring, and vessel interdiction during sea trials. Developed in collaboration with Tideman Marine and Sea Machines, VENOM is now available for Department of Defense procurement and is designed to support multi-vessel autonomous operations aligned with future naval strategies.
WeRide Fully Driverless Robobus at Resorts World Sentosa
In a major milestone for autonomous mobility in Southeast Asia, WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD) has launched fully driverless Robobus operations at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) in Singapore—marking the region’s first public autonomous vehicle service with no onboard safety officer. The launch follows a year of rigorous testing and thousands of safe passenger trips since June 2024. With regulatory approval from Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA), WeRide’s Robobus now offers truly driverless transportation to the public.
The Robobus operates on a fixed 12-minute loop connecting key destinations within the RWS complex, such as Equarius Hotel, Hotel Michael, and The Galleria. It is equipped with a comprehensive sensor suite—including LIDARs and cameras—that enables 360-degree obstacle detection at distances over 200 meters. Since its pilot phase, the Robobus has maintained a flawless safety record, highlighting the maturity of WeRide’s AV technology. Jennifer Li, WeRide’s CFO and Head of International, emphasized that this rollout showcases the company’s readiness to transform public transport through reliable, scalable AV solutions, made possible through close collaboration with Singapore’s forward-thinking regulators and agencies.
The Robobus launch aligns with Singapore’s broader vision to integrate autonomous vehicles into its national transport network by 2025. Supported by the Economic Development Board (EDB), WeRide has established a dedicated R&D center in Singapore to further its AV innovations. The company has also achieved prior milestones, including autonomous street sweeping operations and trials in Singapore’s heartlands. Moving forward, WeRide aims to deepen its partnerships with LTA and regional stakeholders to expand its AV footprint and bring more autonomous services to Southeast Asia.
Waymo/Tesla Phallus Shaped Service Expands in Austin
Earlier this week, Waymo announced a major expansion of its autonomous ride-hailing service in Austin, Texas, nearly tripling its coverage area from 37 to 90 square miles. The expansion added several new neighborhoods, including Crestview, Windsor Park, Sunset Valley, and Franklin Park, along with destinations such as The Domain and McKinney Falls State Park.
This update came just days after Elon Musk posted an image of Tesla’s own robotaxi service area in Austin—controversially shaped like male genitalia. While the joke drew attention, Tesla’s program still lagged in scale and autonomy. Unlike Tesla’s invite-only service, which operated with a human safety monitor and limited hours (6 a.m. to midnight), Waymo’s service ran 24/7 with no driver and no waitlists, fully integrated into the Uber app.
Waymo emphasized that it remained the only provider offering a fully autonomous, always-on experience for anyone in Austin, directly challenging Tesla’s claims in the space. While both companies faced early criticism—Waymo for its overly cautious vehicles and Tesla for safety monitor requirements—neither had reported any major safety incidents in Austin.
With over 1,500 vehicles operating in five cities, including Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, Waymo solidified its lead in the autonomous vehicle race. Earlier in the week, it also announced reaching 100 million miles of fully autonomous driving. Tesla, by comparison, had logged 3.5 billion miles with its Full Self-Driving feature—but that technology still required constant human supervision.
As competition intensifies in Austin and beyond, Waymo’s expansion positioned it as the frontrunner in scale, service availability, and regulatory readiness in the U.S. robotaxi market.