The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says more than 3,000 Alphabet Inc.-backed (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG) Waymo vehicles are under investigation following an incident where a Waymo autonomous vehicle struck a child near an elementary school.3,067 Waymos Under InvestigationThe investigation was opened by the agency on January 28, where it estimates over 3,067 Waymo AVs, fitted with the company's 5th-generation autonomous suite, will be examined following a vehicle that struck a child ...

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The automotive sector is undergoing significant transformation with advancements in electrification, automation, and informatization, potentially leading to a revolution in transportation similar to the introduction of the moving assembly line by Ford over a century ago [2][10] Autonomous Driving and Robotaxi Trends - The shift from rule-based systems to end-to-end (E2E) architectures and variable large architectures (VLA) is evident, with many companies pursuing hybrid designs that combine safety mechanisms with AI models [3] - Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Autonomous Driving (AD) penetration is expected to rise significantly, with L2+ systems projected to reach approximately 34% penetration by 2035, up from 12% in 2025 [5] - The global robotaxi market is anticipated to grow to USD 67.3 billion by 2030, with China being the most scalable market due to supportive policies and deployment momentum [6] Key Players and Strategies - Major automakers are adopting diverse strategies for autonomous driving: - **Toyota** is pursuing a multi-pathway strategy, combining in-house development with partnerships [10] - **Honda** is focusing on developing its own E2E system while collaborating with Helm.ai [10] - **Nissan** is leveraging Wayve's E2E technology [10] - In China, companies like **Pony.ai**, **WeRide**, and **Apollo Go** are leading the robotaxi deployment, with significant partnerships enhancing their capabilities [45] Investment Implications - Japanese automakers are expected to launch software-defined vehicles (SDVs) starting with Toyota's RAV4 in 2025, followed by Honda's 0 Series and Sony Honda Mobility's AFEELA in 2026 [10] - The transition to SDVs presents both opportunities and risks for traditional auto parts suppliers, as automakers increasingly assert control over software layers, potentially eroding supplier revenues [11] - The Japanese government has set a target for 30% SDV penetration by 2030-2035, which may accelerate strategic initiatives across the sector [12] Market Ratings - **Outperform Ratings**: Toyota, Suzuki, BYD, Xiaomi, Li Auto, Grab, BMW, Ferrari, Renault, Aston Martin, Hesai, Tuopu - **Market-Perform Ratings**: Honda, Denso, XPeng, NIO, Volkswagen, Mercedes, Stellantis, Volvo Cars, Continental - **Underperform Ratings**: Nissan, Mazda, Subaru, Black Sesame, Daimler Truck [12][15][17][26] Additional Insights - The integration of advanced technologies in the automotive sector is leading to a shift in competitive dynamics, with traditional OEMs partnering with tech companies to enhance their offerings [14] - The development of autonomous driving capabilities is closely linked to the operational design domain (ODD), which defines the conditions under which autonomous vehicles can operate [41][42] - The future of tyre technology is also evolving, with tyres expected to function as sensors that communicate data to vehicles, enhancing predictive maintenance and driving performance [18]

January 30, 2026 05:10 PM GMT Autos & Shared Mobility | North America Global Auto Monitor: The Era of Abundant Autonomy Is Upon Us After TSLA and GM earnings, autonomy looks less like a moonshot and more like a roadmap. Tesla sunsets S/X to prioritize robotaxi and Optimus, while GM pairs strong 2026 guidance and buybacks with a growing Super Cruise software base. What Others Are Reading - Our Most Read Reports [NORTH AMERICA] Exit Model X/S, Enter Robots: PT to $415 (29 Jan 2026) The wind down of Model X/S ...

1月26日,青岛市城阳区的街头,一种亮橘色、外形圆润的"小橙车"穿梭于车流中。车内没有驾驶员,却满 载着各类民生物资。这1200余辆橘色身影,让"未来已来"在青岛不再是一个时间概念,而是无人车满街跑 的现实写照。 从化解物流末端"最后一公里"的痛点,到反哺智慧城市治理的底层数据,青岛正通过技术与制度的共振,将 未来城市的科幻构想转化为触手可及的现实生活,引领全球智慧物流城市的新赛道。 文/片 记者 鲁畅 岳致呈 冯沛然 青岛报道 小橙车"跑"进商户账本 1月26日,记者来到青岛市城阳区一处批发市场。调味品店老板李大爷告诉记者,"早上九点左右车更多,附 近的批发市场几乎都在用这种无人车送货。" 崇阳路两侧,坐落着青岛规模最大的零售与批发集群:海鲜批发市场、调味品市场、酒水粮油百货市场 等。每天都有数以万计的物资从这里流向全市。 在调味品市场经营多年的李大爷,曾深感配送之苦。他的生意供给着全市范围内的中小型饭店。"以前得 自己开车送,不仅油钱贵,时间成本也高。"李大爷给记者算了一笔经济账:现在,那些位于无人配送范围内 的饭店,他全部改用"小橙"发货。平日里三五百斤的货物,现在配送费仅需十几块钱。 说话间,李大爷向 ...

Core Viewpoint - Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, is planning a new funding round aiming to raise approximately $16 billion, with a company valuation nearing $110 billion [1] Funding Details - Alphabet will invest about $13 billion into Waymo, while the remaining funds will come from new investors including Sequoia Capital, DST Global, and Dragoneer [1] - The funding round is expected to be completed by February [1] Previous Valuation - In the previous funding round conducted in October 2024, Waymo's valuation exceeded $45 billion, with Alphabet leading that round [1]

Group 1 - Tesla is retiring its Model S and Model X to focus on autonomous driving, robotics, and artificial intelligence [1] - The decision is driven by CEO Elon Musk and reflects a broader strategic shift within the company [1]

Group 1 - Pony AI Inc. announced a strategic collaboration with Beijing ATBB Travel & Express Service to expand Robotaxi commercialization in China through a partnership-driven model [1][2] - The collaboration aims to deploy and operate Robotaxi services across top-tier cities in China, including airport venues and business travel scenarios [2] - The Robotaxi fleet will utilize Pony AI's seventh-generation vehicles and will be integrated into both Pony's ride-hailing platform and ATBB's Xinghui Mobility platform [3] Group 2 - Dr. James Peng, Founder and CEO of Pony AI, emphasized the importance of efficient and sustainable deployment of autonomous driving technology as it matures [1] - The partnership is expected to accelerate the adoption of Robotaxi services and strengthen the economics of their operations [1]

Group 1 - WeRide Inc. has launched its proprietary general-purpose simulation model, WeRide Genesis, aimed at enhancing the growth, training, and validation of autonomous vehicles (AVs) [1][2] - WeRide Genesis creates a digital universe that allows AI drivers to familiarize themselves with any city's driving environment within minutes, supporting the global commercialization of autonomous driving [2] - The simulation model incorporates four major AI modules that condense millions of kilometers of road testing into a few days of virtual simulation, significantly reducing time and costs compared to traditional road testing [3] Group 2 - WeRide Genesis supports various AVs, including Level 2++ advanced driver-assistance systems and Level 4 Robotaxis, and enables training and skill testing of AI drivers on a single platform [3] - WeRide Inc. focuses on autonomous driving products and solutions in China, with product categories including robotaxis, robobus, robovan, and robosweeper [3]

Core Insights - Waabi, a self-driving truck startup, has raised a total of $1 billion, which includes $750 million upfront and an additional $250 million from Uber based on deployment milestones [2] Group 1: Company Developments - The funding marks a significant expansion for Waabi into the robotaxi sector, indicating a strategic shift beyond just trucks [2] - Waabi aims to deploy over 25,000 robotaxis, raising questions about the effectiveness of Uber's broad autonomous vehicle partnership strategy [2] Group 2: Industry Context - Uber has over 20 autonomous vehicle partners globally, highlighting the competitive landscape in the autonomous vehicle market [2] - The discussion around Waabi's "simulation-first" approach suggests a potential differentiation in its strategy compared to other players in the industry [3]

Core Insights - Mercedes-Benz Group AG, NVIDIA Corporation, and Uber Technologies are collaborating to launch robotaxi services in major cities, utilizing the Mercedes S-Class sedan as the foundation for their global autonomous-driving platform [1][7] Group 1: Technology and Integration - The next-generation S-Class will feature Mercedes-Benz's MB.OS, integrating NVIDIA DRIVE Hyperion hardware and full-stack NVIDIA DRIVE AV Level 4 software, focusing on safety-first autonomy through NVIDIA's Halos system [2] - NVIDIA DRIVE AV equips the S-Class with a comprehensive automated-driving system capable of handling rare and complex driving scenarios within a safety-centric architecture, validated through high-fidelity simulations [4] - The technology is built on NVIDIA's AI foundation, enabling real-time analysis of complex environments and the selection of the safest driving actions [5] Group 2: Market Strategy and Collaboration - The S-Class aims to provide a premium, chauffeur-style autonomous experience, with plans to offer these vehicles through Uber's mobility network, showcasing collaboration between established automakers and AI leaders [3] - The companies have not disclosed a timeline for the robotaxi service launch, although Mercedes-Benz has previously partnered with Bosch and Momenta on autonomous-driving initiatives [6]