Core Insights - Waymo paused its driverless car service in San Francisco due to a power outage that affected approximately 130,000 customers, with 21,000 still without power the following morning [2][3] - The company is implementing fleet-wide updates to enhance vehicle responses during infrastructure failures and is improving emergency response protocols [4] Company Response - Waymo is taking three immediate steps: updating its fleet for better context during outages, enhancing emergency response protocols, and updating first responder training based on learnings from the incident [4] - The company has served 14 million trips in 2025 and is on track to exceed 20 million total trips since its launch in 2020 [4] Operational Impact - The power outage led to widespread gridlock in San Francisco, with multiple Waymo vehicles reported stalled in traffic [3] - Waymo directed its fleet to pull over and park appropriately to avoid adding to congestion and obstructing emergency vehicles during recovery efforts [3] Future Preparedness - Waymo is collaborating with local authorities to improve emergency preparedness and response in future incidents [4] - The company emphasizes its commitment to road safety and its ongoing service to residents and visitors in San Francisco [5]

Core Insights - Waymo, a unit of Alphabet, announced plans to enhance its first responder engagement and improve emergency response protocols [1] - The company will implement updates to enable its vehicles to navigate intersections more decisively [1] Group 1 - Waymo is focusing on expanding its collaboration with first responders to improve safety and efficiency during emergencies [1] - The updates to emergency response protocols aim to streamline interactions between Waymo's autonomous vehicles and emergency services [1] - Enhancements in intersection navigation are expected to increase the overall effectiveness of Waymo's autonomous driving technology [1]

Amazon-owned Zoox issued a recall Tuesday over concerns its autonomous driving system caused vehicles to cross over the center lane line near intersections or block crosswalks. The voluntary recall of its software affected 332 vehicles, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).While there have not been any collisions associated with the issue, Zoox noted in the NHTSA filing that it could increase the risk of a crash. The company provides free rides to the ...

Core Viewpoint - A power outage in San Francisco caused Waymo's robotaxis to stall, prompting an investigation by the California Public Utilities Commission [1][2] Group 1: Incident Details - During the power outage, approximately 130,000 Pacific Gas & Electric customers were affected, leading to Waymo halting its ride-hailing services [2] - Footage showed multiple Waymo robotaxis stopped in intersections, causing traffic congestion [2] - Waymo stated that the power outage resulted in significant gridlock, with non-functioning traffic signals and transit disruptions [6] Group 2: Company Response and Operations - Waymo resumed its robotaxi service in the area following the incident [5] - The company emphasized its commitment to ensuring technology adapts to traffic flow during such events [6] - Waymo has been operating driverless vehicles in San Francisco since 2022 and opened rides to the public via its app last year [7] Group 3: Historical Context and Challenges - Waymo launched its autonomous ride-hailing service in Phoenix in 2018 and has expanded to other cities, including Austin and Atlanta [7] - The company faced setbacks, including a software recall affecting over 1,200 vehicles and a previous incident involving a Waymo car that killed a cat, which drew public backlash [8]

Core Insights - Uber and Lyft will begin testing Baidu's Apollo Go robotaxis in London starting in 2026, joining other companies like Waymo and Wayve in the autonomous vehicle market [1][2] - Lyft plans to scale operations to hundreds of Baidu's electric RT6 SUVs, pending local regulatory approval, although no specific timeline for commercial launch has been provided [1] - Uber expects to start its testing in the first half of 2026 as part of a deal with Baidu announced in July, marking a significant step in their global robotaxi operations [2] Company Strategies - Lyft's CEO David Risher indicated that the company aims to expand its fleet significantly once testing begins, highlighting a proactive approach to entering the autonomous vehicle market [1] - Uber's partnership with Baidu is part of a broader strategy to establish robotaxi services in various cities worldwide, reflecting a competitive landscape among major players in the industry [2] Industry Developments - The introduction of robotaxis in London represents a growing trend in the transportation sector, with multiple companies forming partnerships to enhance their autonomous vehicle capabilities [2] - The collaboration between Uber, Lyft, and Baidu signifies a shift towards electric and autonomous transportation solutions, aligning with global sustainability goals [1][2]

Time now for Options Corner. Joining us to take a deeper look at the chart for Uber is Rick Dukat, lead market technician. So when you look at the trends on this chart, are things revving up for Uber.Rick. >> Yes, for sure. I mean, a pretty strong performer relative to the S&P.A bit of a decline recently, but still far outpacing not only its own XLI, industrial sector ETF about up about 17%, while Uber's up about 28%. to look at some of these companies in this kind of uh rather uh mishmashed together autono ...

Gold and Silver Market - Gold has surpassed $4,400 per ounce for the first time, currently priced at $4,412, marking a 1.6% increase and on track for its best annual performance in over 40 years [2][3] - Silver prices have also surged, with spot prices rising 3.3% to a record $69.44, indicating both metals are set for their strongest yearly performance since 1979 [3] - Traders are anticipating two interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve in 2026, influenced by recent economic data and advocacy for looser monetary policy from President Trump [3] Geopolitical Factors - Rising geopolitical tensions have enhanced the safe-haven appeal of gold and silver, particularly due to the U.S. tightening its oil blockade on Venezuela and Ukraine's recent attack on a Russian oil tanker [4] Gold-Backed ETFs - Gold-backed ETFs have experienced inflows for five consecutive weeks, with total holdings increasing every month this year except May, according to Bloomberg and World Gold Council data [5]

Core Insights - Uber Technologies and Lyft are collaborating with Baidu to pilot driverless taxis in the UK next year, indicating a significant advancement in the global competition to commercialize robotaxis [1] Company Developments - The partnership between Uber, Lyft, and Baidu represents a strategic move to enhance their presence in the autonomous vehicle market [1] - This initiative is part of a broader trend among tech companies to explore and implement driverless technology in urban transportation [1] Industry Trends - The collaboration highlights the increasing interest and investment in the robotaxi sector, as companies aim to capitalize on the growing demand for autonomous transportation solutions [1] - The pilot program in the UK is expected to contribute to the development and refinement of driverless technology, potentially influencing regulatory frameworks and public acceptance [1]

Chinese tech giant Baidu has announced plans to bring robotaxis to London starting next year through its partnerships with Lyft and Uber, as the UK emerges as a growing autonomous vehicle battleground.The announced collaborations will bring Baidu's Apollo Go autonomous vehicles to the British capital through the Uber and Lyft platforms, the companies said on their respective social media accounts. Lyft's testing of Baidu's initial fleet of dozens of vehicles will begin in 2026, pending regulatory approval, ...

When a power outage hit San Francisco on Saturday, local drivers had to navigate more than just darkened roads and inactive stoplights. Footage shared on social media shows some Waymo robotaxis stalled in traffic, clogging roadways and causing disruptions. One video on X showed at least five Waymos crowding an intersection, forcing human drivers to maneuver around them.The power outage in San Francisco has caused Waymo’s self-driving cars to come to a halt, leading to traffic disruptions across the city. h ...