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Waymo continues robotaxi ramp up with Miami service now open to public
TechCrunch· 2026-01-22 16:59
Core Insights - Waymo has launched its robotaxi service for the public in Miami, initially available to nearly 10,000 residents on its waitlist within a 60-square-mile area [1][2] - The company plans to expand its service to Miami International Airport soon, although no specific timeline has been provided [2] - Waymo's phased approach to launching services is becoming more common, having previously opened its robotaxis to the public in Phoenix in 2020 and expanding to other cities [4] Expansion Plans - Waymo aims to bring its robotaxi service to nearly a dozen more cities within the next year, including Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Nashville, London, San Diego, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. [6] - The company has started testing in some of these cities using a mix of all-electric Jaguar I-Pace vehicles and newer Zeekr RT vans [6] - By the end of 2026, Waymo expects to offer 1 million trips per week [6] Operational Challenges - The expansion has faced challenges, including incidents in cities like San Francisco where Waymo vehicles have created traffic jams [6] - Federal safety regulators, specifically the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, have opened an investigation into Waymo's operations around stopped school buses [7] - Complaints have been raised in Austin regarding Waymo vehicles passing school buses with activated stop signs, leading to a voluntary software recall to address the issue [8]
Jim Chanos Slams Tesla, Lemonade's Autonomous Insurance, Says True FSD Will Have Manufacturer's Liability: 'You Are All Being Played...' - Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA)
Benzinga· 2026-01-22 06:40
Core Viewpoint - Investor Jim Chanos has criticized the collaboration between Lemonade Inc. and Tesla Inc., suggesting that the partnership is misleading and that true Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology would eliminate the need for driver insurance [1][2]. Group 1: Lemonade's Collaboration with Tesla - Lemonade announced a partnership with Tesla to offer a 50% rate reduction for insurance on vehicles engaged in FSD driving, citing data that indicates these vehicles are involved in significantly fewer accidents [3]. - Lemonade's CEO, Shai Wininger, emphasized the safety benefits of Teslas driven with FSD, which supports the rationale for the reduced insurance rates [3]. Group 2: Safety Concerns and Regulatory Scrutiny - Despite the claims made by Lemonade, there are ongoing concerns regarding the safety of Tesla's autonomous driving systems, with multiple lawsuits alleging that these systems have caused fatalities [4]. - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated a probe into Tesla's autonomous driving technology following reports of incidents involving vehicles operating in autonomous mode, raising further questions about the safety and reliability of these systems [4]. Group 3: Market Performance - Tesla's stock price increased by 2.91% to $431.44 at market close on Wednesday, with an additional gain of 0.63% to $434.15 in after-hours trading, indicating a favorable market response [5].
Should You Buy Rivian Automotive Stock While It's Below $17?
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-20 23:29
Core Viewpoint - Rivian Automotive is struggling to achieve profitability despite its ambitious plans and significant investments in software and autonomous driving technology [1][2] Group 1: Financial Performance - Rivian's stock has declined 90% from its all-time highs, primarily due to heavy cash burn and stagnation in vehicle output [2] - The company has a market capitalization of $20 billion, with a current stock price of $16.16 [3][12] - Rivian's free cash flow peaked at over $6 billion in negative territory in 2023, but has improved to negative $489 million in the trailing 12 months [8] - The operating loss remains substantial at $3.4 billion, indicating that the company is far from breakeven [9] Group 2: Production and Market Strategy - Initial vehicle deliveries reached a quarterly rate of 15,000, but have stagnated due to high price points of premium models [3][4] - To expand its market, Rivian plans to launch a more affordable R2 SUV in 2026, priced around $50,000 [4] - A new factory in Georgia is under construction, with U.S. government loans of $6.6 billion proposed to support development milestones [5] Group 3: Software and Autonomous Driving - Rivian is investing in software and autonomous vehicle systems, including a custom chip for its vehicles [6] - The self-driving software will launch this year at a subscription cost of $50 per month, potentially generating $60 million in annual revenue for every 100,000 subscribers [7] Group 4: Investment Considerations - Rivian's shares outstanding have increased by 44% since going public, raising concerns about debt and dilution risks [13] - Despite the potential for future growth, the current operating losses make the stock appear risky for investors at its present price [14]
Valneva, Tesla And Other Big Stocks Moving Lower In Tuesday's Pre-Market Session - Aeva Technologies (NASDAQ:AEVA), ALT5 Sigma (NASDAQ:ALTS)
Benzinga· 2026-01-20 13:05
Market Overview - U.S. stock futures are lower, with Dow futures dropping approximately 700 points [1] Company-Specific Developments - Valneva SE has withdrawn its IXCHIQ Chikungunya vaccine BLA and IND in the U.S. following an FDA suspension and a review of new serious adverse events, leading to a 7.7% decline in shares to $9.29 in pre-market trading [1] - Rezolve AI PLC shares fell 15% to $3.92 in pre-market trading [2] - POET Technologies Inc experienced an 11.2% decline to $7.37 in pre-market trading [2] - Forward Industries Inc shares decreased by 10.5% to $7.70 after a previous gain of 4% on Friday [2] - Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises Inc shares dipped 9.9% to $7.59 in pre-market trading [2] - Bakkt Holdings Inc fell 9.5% to $19.38 after a 10% increase on Friday [2] - Applovin Corp shares decreased by 9.5% to $515.03 after a 6% decline on Friday [2] - ALT5 Sigma Corp shares fell 8.9% to $2.36 after gaining 7% on Friday, despite regaining Nasdaq compliance [2] - HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd shares dropped 7.7% to $3.20 in pre-market trading [2] - Aeva Technologies Inc shares declined 6.8% to $18.01 in pre-market trading [2] - Bitdeer Technologies Group fell 6.8% to $14.75 in pre-market trading [2] - Terrestrial Energy Inc shares decreased by 6.3% to $10.95 in pre-market trading [2] - Tesla Inc shares fell 2.7% to $425.75, with CEO Elon Musk confirming that vehicles equipped with the AI4 (HW4) chip will achieve unsupervised autonomous driving without upgrades [2] - NVIDIA Corp shares declined 2.4% to $181.77 in pre-market trading [2]
Chassis Supply Chain's "iPhone Moment": China's Tier 1 Shift as LeeKr Emerges
Prnewswire· 2026-01-19 04:11
Industry Overview - China's electric vehicle (EV) industry has transformed into a leading force globally, with over 2 million EVs exported in the first ten months of 2025, nearly double the previous year [1] - Global vehicle sales reached approximately 70.53 million units from January to September 2025, with new energy vehicles (NEVs) accounting for over 22% of total sales, and nearly 70% of NEV sales growth originating from China [2] - China holds a 70%–85% global market share in critical components like batteries, driving the global shift towards electrification [2][3] Supply Chain Transformation - The automotive supply chain is undergoing a structural change, with China establishing systemic advantages in battery supply chains, electric drive platforms, and manufacturing efficiency [3] - Chassis-level system solutions are evolving from mechanical components to core enablers of intelligent driving, with technologies like brake-by-wire and steer-by-wire becoming essential [4] Company Spotlight: LeeKr Technology - LeeKr Technology, founded in 2021, has raised over USD 284 million in financing, indicating strong investor confidence in its technical direction and the broader industry trend [7][9] - The company has secured significant funding rounds, including USD 56.8 million in Series B financing in 2023, marking its transition from a promising startup to a strategic player in China's intelligent EV ecosystem [10][11] - By 2024, LeeKr closed a Series C funding round of over USD 142 million, with participation from government-guided funds and major OEMs, further integrating it into China's NEV supply chain [13][15] Strategic Partnerships and Market Position - LeeKr serves over ten automaker customers, with its products deployed across more than thirty vehicle models, showcasing its technical validation and industry trust [17] - The company is positioned to evolve from a supporting role to a key provider of foundational capabilities in the smart EV supply chain, addressing challenges of sustainable operation and scalability [24][26] Global Expansion Strategy - LeeKr's globalization strategy involves expanding alongside automotive customers into overseas markets, establishing localized manufacturing for critical components [21][22] - The cooperation with Geleximco Group exemplifies LeeKr's approach to translating China's engineering depth into globally applicable industrial capabilities [26]
Gary Black Likes Elon Musk's Tesla But Not TSLA, Draws Comparison With Amazon—Says Nvidia 'Democratizes Autonomy'
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-17 23:51
Core Viewpoint - Investor Gary Black has exited his position in Tesla Inc. due to concerns over its stock valuation and increased competition in the electric vehicle (EV) market [1][4]. Group 1: Tesla's Valuation and Market Position - Black compared Tesla's current valuation to Amazon's early days, noting that he invested in Amazon despite its infinite P/E ratio because he recognized its potential in retail [2][6]. - Tesla was previously Black's fund's largest position, attributed to its unique ability to produce high-quality EVs at a significant cost advantage [4]. - The decision to exit Tesla was influenced by the penetration of competition in the EV market and the stock price exceeding Black's valuation estimates [4]. Group 2: Future Trends and Competitors - Black sees a similar trend emerging in autonomous driving, with many competitors beginning to offer unsupervised autonomous ride-hailing services, facilitated by advancements in technology from companies like Nvidia [5]. - Despite the exit from Tesla stock, Black maintains a positive view of the company itself, indicating a distinction between the company's potential and its current stock valuation [5]. Group 3: Tesla's Sales Performance - Tesla's Model Y was the best-selling EV in the U.S. last year, with over 357,528 units sold, and the introduction of a 7-seater layout version could further enhance sales [6].
Gary Black Likes Elon Musk's Tesla But Not TSLA, Draws Comparison With Amazon—Says Nvidia 'Democratizes Autonomy' - Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA)
Benzinga· 2026-01-16 10:57
Core Viewpoint - Investor Gary Black has exited his position in Tesla due to concerns over its stock valuation and increasing competition in the electric vehicle (EV) market [1][4]. Group 1: Tesla's Valuation and Competition - Black compared Tesla's situation to Amazon's early days, noting that he invested in Amazon when it had an "infinite P/E" due to its potential in retail [2]. - He highlighted that Tesla was his fund's largest position for years because it could produce high-quality EVs at a significant cost advantage [4]. - The decision to exit Tesla was influenced by the penetration of competition in the EV market and the stock price exceeding his valuation estimates [4]. Group 2: Autonomous Driving Trends - Black sees a similar trend in autonomous driving, with many competitors now offering "unsupervised autonomous ride hailing" as Nvidia democratizes autonomy with its technology [5]. - Despite liking Tesla as a company, Black expressed a negative outlook on the stock itself [5]. Group 3: Tesla's Sales Performance - Tesla's Model Y was the best-selling EV in the U.S. last year, with over 357,528 units sold [6]. - The company introduced a 7-seater layout version of the Model Y, which could further enhance sales [6]. - Tesla has transitioned its Full Self-Driving (FSD) service from an $8,000 one-time payment to a $99/month subscription model [6]. Group 4: Market Performance - Tesla scores well on momentum and shows a favorable price trend in the short, medium, and long term according to Benzinga Edge Rankings [7]. - During pre-market trading, Tesla's stock gained 0.46%, reaching $440.59 [7].
Insights Into Tesla's Performance Versus Peers In Automobiles Sector - Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA)
Benzinga· 2026-01-15 15:00
Core Insights - The article provides a comprehensive analysis of Tesla's performance in comparison to its major competitors in the automobile industry, focusing on financial metrics, market position, and growth potential [1] Company Overview - Tesla is a vertically integrated battery electric vehicle manufacturer and developer of artificial intelligence software, with a diverse vehicle lineup including luxury sedans, SUVs, and plans for a sports car and robotaxi service [2] - Global deliveries for Tesla in 2024 are projected to be just below 1.8 million vehicles, and the company also engages in battery sales for energy storage and has a fast-charging network [2] Financial Metrics Comparison - Tesla's Price to Earnings (P/E) ratio stands at 302.90, significantly higher than the industry average by 16.83 times, indicating a premium valuation [5] - The Price to Book (P/B) ratio of 18.27 is 6.26 times above the industry average, suggesting potential overvaluation based on book value [5] - Tesla's Price to Sales (P/S) ratio of 16.18 is 11.16 times the industry average, further indicating overvaluation based on sales performance [5] - The Return on Equity (ROE) for Tesla is 1.75%, which is 2.81% above the industry average, reflecting efficient equity use for profit generation [5] - Tesla's EBITDA is $3.66 billion, slightly below the industry average, indicating potential financial challenges [5] - The gross profit of $5.05 billion is also below the industry average, suggesting lower revenue after production costs [5] - Revenue growth for Tesla is 11.57%, exceeding the industry average of 0.91%, indicating strong sales performance [5] Debt to Equity Ratio - Tesla has a debt-to-equity (D/E) ratio of 0.17, indicating a lower reliance on debt financing compared to its top four peers, which is viewed positively by investors [9][8]
T2 and PlusAI Team Up to Accelerate the Deployment of Level 4 Autonomous Trucks in Japan
Businesswire· 2026-01-14 22:00
Core Insights - PlusAI and T2 Inc. have formed a strategic partnership to introduce Level 4 autonomous trucks in Japan, coinciding with PlusAI's plans to go public through a merger with Churchill Capital Corp IX [1][6]. Company Overview - PlusAI is an AI company specializing in virtual driver software for autonomous trucks, with partnerships including major global truck manufacturers such as TRATON GROUP, Hyundai, and Iveco [6]. - T2 Inc. is supported by over 20 companies in Japan and has previously launched the country's first commercial Level 2 autonomous trunk line operations [5]. Partnership Details - The collaboration leverages T2's expertise in Japan's logistics and technology design, combined with PlusAI's experience in commercial deployment of autonomous trucks in the U.S. and Europe [2]. - The partnership aims to address Japan's logistics challenges, including driver shortages and increasing freight demand, by enhancing safety and productivity through autonomous trucking solutions [4]. Investment and Support - Mitsui & Co. has invested in PlusAI, demonstrating its commitment to advancing next-generation mobility and improving Japan's logistics infrastructure [3].
Nvidia Just Delivered Very Bad News for Tesla Stock Investors
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-14 10:51
Core Insights - Nvidia's DRIVE Hyperion platform is a significant advancement in autonomous driving technology, designed for Level 4 autonomy, featuring advanced hardware and AI capabilities [2][4][12] - The introduction of the Alpamayo family of AI models enhances the DRIVE platform, making it more appealing to car manufacturers and potentially threatening Tesla's market position [1][8][9] - Tesla's upcoming Cybercab robotaxi faces intense competition and is projected to enter mass production by the end of 2026, but it is already lagging behind competitors like Waymo [7][10][13] Nvidia's DRIVE Platform - The DRIVE Hyperion platform includes two AGX Thor in-vehicle computers and a comprehensive sensor suite, enabling advanced autonomous driving features [2] - Nvidia's data center business generates around 90% of its revenue, but the automotive segment is gaining traction with the DRIVE platform [3] - The Alpamayo ecosystem provides a robust foundation for manufacturers to develop Level 4 autonomous vehicles without extensive data collection [8] Tesla's Market Position - Tesla's stock reached an all-time high in 2025 despite a significant decline in EV sales, indicating investor confidence in future products like the Cybercab [6][10] - Ark Invest forecasts that the Cybercab could generate $756 billion in annual revenue by 2029, highlighting the potential for substantial growth [11] - Tesla's current valuation is extremely high, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 297, raising concerns about potential corrections if the Cybercab faces challenges [14][15] Competitive Landscape - Nvidia's advancements in AI and autonomous driving technology could enable various car manufacturers to compete effectively against Tesla in the robotaxi market [4][13] - Waymo is already leading the autonomous ride-hailing sector, completing over 450,000 paid trips weekly, putting additional pressure on Tesla's Cybercab [13] - The competitive environment is intensifying, with Nvidia's technology making it easier for other manufacturers to enter the autonomous vehicle space [15]