In autonomous and self-driving vehicle news are TIER IV, ZF Aftermarket, Zoox, Humble Robotics, May Mobility and Forterra.
TIER IV Bets on a Hybrid Autoware 2.0
TIER IV, working with the Autoware Foundation, has laid out a multi-tier roadmap for Autoware 2.0, the next version of its open-source autonomous driving software. The new stack blends machine-learning models trained on large volumes of driving data with deterministic, rule-based safety systems, an attempt to join two approaches that have often competed. It also introduces an adaptive compute architecture, a modular index meant to speed the addition of third-party components, and standardized Reference Designs to help automakers and their suppliers reach production across different operating environments.
The company is lining up partners underneath the software. Arm is contributing chip design work for what it calls physical AI. Red Hat’s AutoSD, the open-source upstream of its in-vehicle operating system, will handle automotive-grade middleware requirements. Amazon Web Services will support continuous integration, deployment and simulation. Executives from the four companies plan to present the roadmap at Automotive Software Strategies US 2026 in San Jose, Calif., where Christian John, president of TIER IV North America, will lead the session.
ZF Aftermarket Builds a Repair Case for the Electric Era
For independent repair shops, the shift to electric and hybrid vehicles carries a practical worry: a failed component could mean replacing an entire drive unit. ZF Aftermarket is pitching a strategy built around three words, Maintain, Repair and Replace, which it will showcase at AAPEX 2026 in Las Vegas, at Booth F13011.
On the maintenance side, ZF has widened its Lifeguard fluids and service kits to cover transmissions from other manufacturers, electric drive reducers and EV-specific packages, including oil change kits for Tesla drive units. Its E-Mobility Repair Kit family, planned to reach more than 100 variants, targets individual parts. Kit EM supplies stator and rotor packages for second-generation hybrid modules in 8HP gearboxes, Kit ME provides factory-tested mechatronic assemblies, Kit IN offers replacement inverters for fourth-generation 8HP hybrid transmissions, and Kit RD covers bearings and wear parts for electric drive reduction gearboxes.
For jobs that still require a swap, ZF is expanding its North American remanufacturing offering to 250 transmission SKUs and 100 component part numbers, with fluids covering 75 percent of vehicles on the road. Globally, its catalog holds roughly 2,400 transmission and 600 mechatronic part numbers. Training through its ZF [pro]Tech network, which is ASE-accredited, aims to prepare technicians for high-voltage diagnostics.
Zoox Gets a Seat at the Las Vegas Grand Prix
Zoox, the autonomous vehicle company owned by Amazon, has signed a multi-year deal to become the official autonomous ride-hail partner of the Formula 1 Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix. The agreement builds on an existing technical marketing relationship with the Atlassian Williams F1 team.
Beginning in 2027, Zoox plans to use its purpose-built, bidirectional robotaxis to carry race attendees to and from Grand Prix Plaza, with a dedicated pickup and drop-off area for autonomous vehicles. The service would extend Zoox’s driverless operations along a corridor that links major Strip hotels, entertainment venues and Harry Reid International Airport.
Humble Robotics Raises $51 Million for Electric Freight
Humble Robotics has closed a $51 million Series A round led by Obvious Ventures, with continued support from Eclipse and Energy Impact Partners. The round brings the company’s total funding to $75 million less than a year after its debut. The money is earmarked for customer testing, validation programs, early vehicle production and the growth of its modular architecture into specialized commercial versions.
Humble is aiming at regional freight under 250 miles, which accounts for 87 percent of U.S. truck tonnage. Its answer is a clean-sheet Class 8 truck, the Humble Hauler, that pairs an electric chassis designed for the purpose with native autonomous driving software. The vehicle is intended for repeatable, dock-to-dock transfers among maritime ports, rail terminals and regional logistics hubs. The company, led by veterans of Apple, Uber, Tesla and Waymo, says it is designing the trucks to plug into existing fleet telematics and terminal operating systems.
May Mobility and Forterra Take Autonomous Transit to the Army
May Mobility and Forterra have advanced to Phase III of the Robotic Operations for Autonomous Delivery and Sustainment challenge, a defense modernization program worth up to $30 million. The goal is on-demand autonomous passenger transit on domestic military installations, which would free service members from driving non-tactical base shuttles and let them stay focused on combat training.
May Mobility will provide its Multi-Policy Decision Making driving system, installed in purpose-built passenger vehicles. Forterra will run the fleet and handle real-time command tracking through its OneLink telematics platform. Testing begins in November 2026 with digital mapping of the base and demonstrations with safety drivers, followed by a month-long live pilot at a designated Army installation to gauge whether the service could win longer-term procurement.
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