Autonomous & Self-Driving Vehicle News: Tesla, Waymo, US Senate, Teamsters & Pronto.ai.

In autonomous and self-driving vehicle news are Tesla, Waymo, US Senate, Teamsters andPronto.ai.

Senate Hearing on Self-Driving Cars

Executives from Tesla and Waymo appeared before the Senate Commerce Committee this week to defend the safety of autonomous vehicle (AV) technology and urge Congress to enact a modern federal regulatory framework for self-driving vehicles. Lawmakers from both parties acknowledged the potential benefits of AVs—such as reduced traffic fatalities and enhanced mobility—but also pressed the companies on safety lapses and gaps in oversight.

Tesla’s vice president of vehicle engineering emphasized that AVs could dramatically reduce the roughly 40,000 annual U.S. traffic deaths by eliminating human error and argued that outdated regulations are slowing innovation. Waymo’s chief safety officer highlighted data showing its autonomous systems have lower serious-crash rates than human drivers and stressed the need for legislation to maintain U.S. leadership amid global competition.

At the same time, several senators voiced sharp safety concerns, citing incidents such as robotaxis failing to stop for school buses and questions about remote operator practices. Some lawmakers and safety advocates argued that companies have deployed technology without adequate guardrails, calling for stronger oversight, clearer liability rules and independent safety verification.

Waymo Faces Ongoing Scrutiny on School Bus Safety

Waymo’s robotaxi fleet continues to draw regulatory and public concern after repeated incidents in which its autonomous vehicles failed to stop for school buses with active stop arms, despite software updates intended to address the problem. School officials in Austin, Texas, have reported multiple violations, prompting investigations by federal safety agencies including NHTSA and the NTSB. Local leaders have urged Waymo to limit operations near school bus loading zones, while similar concerns have surfaced in other cities. The issue has fueled broader debates in Congress and among safety advocates about the readiness of autonomous driving systems to handle common but high-risk scenarios involving children and school zones. Although Waymo maintains that it is improving its technology and points to an overall safety record it says surpasses human drivers, the recurring school bus incidents underscore the unresolved technical and regulatory challenges facing large-scale autonomous vehicle deployment.

Teamsters Urge California Regulators to Suspend Waymo Operations

Teamsters California is calling on the California Public Utilities Commission to indefinitely suspend Waymo’s operating license following a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation into a robotaxi that struck a small child. Union leaders argue the incident underscores longstanding safety concerns surrounding autonomous vehicles, particularly near schools, and accuse Waymo of ignoring warnings and prior investigations, including issues involving school bus stop signs. Framing the issue as both a public safety and labor crisis, the Teamsters say robotaxis threaten jobs, community well-being, and now child safety, urging regulators to intervene before a more serious incident occurs.

TIER IV Chosen for Japanese Defense Study on Autonomous Vehicles at SDF Facilities

TIER IV has been selected by Japan’s Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency to support a study evaluating the use of autonomous vehicles at Japan Self-Defense Forces facilities. The assessment will focus on applying autonomous driving technology—such as self-driving tow trucks at Maritime Self-Defense Force air bases—to reduce personnel strain, improve efficiency, and address workforce shortages driven by Japan’s aging population. Leveraging its Autoware-based platforms and experience across industrial and public-road deployments, TIER IV aims to extend