In autonomous and self-driving vehicle news are Carteav, Guident Patents, PlusAI, Goodyear, WeRide, Zoox, Tesla & Baidu.
In this Article
Carteav Autonomous Shuttles @SEA
Carteav, a leader in low-speed autonomous vehicle (LSAV) technology, has received a purchase order from the Port of Seattle to begin a 90-day driverless shuttle pilot at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). The initiative will test Carteav’s electric, self-driving shuttles in the airport’s terminal garage to enhance passenger mobility and operational efficiency.
The pilot reflects SEA Airport’s commitment to exploring innovative transportation solutions and marks Carteav’s growing footprint in North America. Designed for low-speed, controlled environments, Carteav’s technology targets locations like airports, industrial campuses, and retirement communities where traditional transit systems are often impractical.
Guident Patents AI-Based Autonomous Vehicle Monitoring
Guident Corp. has received Notices of Allowance for its patent application in South Korea (No. 10-2022-7034516) and a corresponding U.S. application (No. 17/909,432) for its AI-powered system for remote monitoring and control of autonomous vehicles. The technology enables a Remote Monitor and Control Center (RMCC) to evaluate incident risks using distributed sensor fusion, even across vehicles not directly under its control, and intervene if safety thresholds are exceeded.
These upcoming patents expand Guident’s global portfolio, which includes protections across the U.S., EU, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Canada, and 20 European countries. Guident’s innovations aim to advance autonomous mobility by integrating artificial intelligence with real-time safety intervention capabilities.
PlusAI & Goodyear Autonomous Trucking Smart Tire Tech
PlusAI, a leader in AI-driven autonomous truck technology, has partnered with The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company to integrate Goodyear’s SightLine intelligent tire technology into its SuperDrive™ virtual driver system. SightLine provides real-time data on tire health, road conditions, and friction, enhancing the safety, reliability, and performance of autonomous freight. This collaboration supports PlusAI’s plan to commercially launch factory-built autonomous trucks—developed with partners like TRATON GROUP, Hyundai, and IVECO—starting in the U.S. in 2027.
WeRide Night-Time Robotaxi Testing in Beijing
WeRide (Nasdaq: WRD), a global autonomous driving leader, has received approval to begin late-night Robotaxi testing in Beijing’s High-Level Autonomous Driving Demonstration Zone. The testing window runs from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., advancing WeRide’s goal of building a 24/7 autonomous ride-hailing network in the capital.
Navigating Beijing’s challenging night-time and extreme weather conditions, WeRide’s vehicles are equipped with over 20 high-performance sensors, including high-line LiDARs and high-dynamic cameras. The system enables 360-degree detection up to 200 meters and features self-cleaning smart sensors to maintain functionality in rain, dust, and snow.
With testing or operations in 10 cities across four countries and over 2,200 days of safe driving experience, WeRide previously launched China’s first 24/7 autonomous ride-hailing service in Guangzhou. This new phase in Beijing helps validate its safety systems while expanding off-peak transit options and supporting smarter, more sustainable urban mobility.
Zoox & NHSTA Settlement/Agreement
Zoox has reached a major regulatory milestone with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) granting it the first-ever demonstration exemption under the federal Automated Vehicle Exemption Program. This exemption allows Zoox’s purpose-built autonomous vehicles—designed without steering wheels or pedals—to operate on public roads for demonstration purposes. At the same time, NHTSA closed its investigation into the company’s earlier self-certification practices. However, Zoox is now required to stop making claims that its vehicles fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards as part of the exemption agreement.
The company’s safety record has been under watch following a few high-profile incidents. In April 2025, a collision involving an unoccupied Zoox robotaxi in Las Vegas triggered a recall of 270 vehicles. The issue stemmed from a software flaw that misjudged another vehicle approaching slowly from the side. Previously, Zoox had also been investigated for instances of sudden braking that led to crashes involving motorcyclists. That probe has since been closed, with Zoox implementing updates to address the system behavior.
Zoox is simultaneously accelerating its commercial rollout. In June 2025, it launched its first serial production facility in Hayward, California. The 220,000-square-foot factory is capable of producing more than 10,000 autonomous vehicles per year and includes full assembly lines, software and hardware integration, and testing labs. Vehicles undergo rigorous quality checks including sensor calibration and weather simulation. The company is currently producing about one vehicle per day and plans to begin commercial ride-hailing service in Las Vegas later this year, with additional launches expected in San Francisco, Austin, and Miami.
Tesla and Elon Musk Sued Securities Fraud
Tesla and CEO Elon Musk are facing a shareholder lawsuit alleging securities fraud, following the public testing of Tesla’s Robotaxi in Austin, Texas. The suit claims Musk and Tesla misled investors by concealing the serious safety risks of their autonomous vehicles, which reportedly exhibited erratic behavior—such as speeding, abrupt braking, and unsafe drop-offs—during the June test. The lawsuit seeks damages for shareholders who purchased stock between April 19, 2023, and June 22, 2025.
After the test, Tesla’s share price dropped by 6.1%, erasing approximately $68 billion in market value. Shareholders argue that Tesla exaggerated the readiness and safety of its autonomous driving technology, including public statements from Musk promising a June rollout in Austin and corporate claims of scalable, safe deployment. Tesla executives, including current and former CFOs, are also named in the case.
The lawsuit comes amid mounting scrutiny of Tesla’s autonomous driving systems. A separate Florida jury recently found Tesla partially liable for a fatal 2019 crash involving its self-driving software, awarding $243 million in damages. As Tesla pushes to expand its Robotaxi network despite declining EV demand and political controversy, it now faces both regulatory and legal headwinds that could complicate its autonomous ambitions.
Baidu Robotaxi Pitted in Chongqing
A Baidu Apollo Go self-driving taxi veered off the road and fell into a roadside pit in Chongqing on August 7, according to local reports. The sole passenger, a woman, escaped without injury after climbing out with the help of a ladder. Baidu, which operates the Apollo Go autonomous ride-hailing service in several Chinese cities, issued a brief statement saying, “Safety is our top priority.” The company did not provide details on the cause of the incident, which is under review.