Users of the Uber Eats service in the Phoenix area now can order a meal delivered by a driverless vehicle as part of a partnership with Waymo.
Autonomous Vehicles
First Drive: 2024 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid: Common Scents
Once one of America’s most exclusive automotive brands, Lincoln has been little more than an also-ran in recent years. But Ford Motor Co.’s upscale marque is on a mission to rebuild itself — and not just by becoming a clone of luxury market leaders like Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, BMW or crosstown rival Cadillac. And the complete makeover of the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus gives a good sense of what’s in store, as Headlight.News discovered during a day behind the wheel of the midsize crossover in Palm Springs. Here’s our review.
Apple Considered Buying GM — Then Dropped $1 Billion Annually Before Killing its Own Car Program
When Apple disbanded Project Titan last month, it marked the end of the tech giant’s long-standing goal of getting into the automotive business. But just how far back did that dream begin — and how much did Apple invest? Apparently, much further back than was previously known. And it spent far more than previously reported on its failed attempt to launch a line of self-driving EVs. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Waymo Gets the Go for a Big Robocab Expansion in California
When robocab start-up Cruise was involved in a near-fatal pedestrian crash in California last October, many observers wondered whether that would deliver an even more deadly hit to the quest for fully self-driving vehicles. But while GM-owned Cruise has been struggling, its chief rival, Alphabet’s Waymo, is moving forward. And it just won approval from California regulators to expand its base of operations in the state.
Farewell Titan: Apple Finally Abandons its Autonomous EV Program
After investing a decade and billions of dollars in a project meant to bring a fully autonomous EV to market Apple reportedly has pulled the plug on the program known internally as Project Titan. More from Headlight.News.
GM and Cruise Preparing to Resume Robotaxi Fleet Operations
General Motors and its robotaxi subsidiary, Cruise, prepare to resume service and testing after prior safety concerns saw the company voluntarily suspend its fleet from service, according to newly released report. Get the details at Headlight.News.
From “Ruin Porn” to High-Tech Hub: Ford Set to Reopen Long-Abandoned Michigan Central Station
When it opened 110 years ago, the Michigan Central depot was the tallest train station in the world and a showpiece for a city at its peak. Since it shut down in 1988, however, it’s been a symbol of urban decay and the decline of Detroit, in particular. Now, after a...
Cruise Rehab Continues with Chief Safety Officer Hiring
General Motors’ autonomous vehicle subsidiary, Cruise, took another step in the rehabilitation of its image, making good on plans to hire a Chief Safety Officer. In the wake of last October’s incident with a pedestrian in San Francisco, the company said it would take steps to improve the safety of its vehicles. AV development veteran Steve Kenner is the new hire. Get details at Headlight.News.
Chrysler Halcyon Concept Leans into “Fully Electric Tomorrow”
Chrysler — remember Chrysler? It’s a brand in desperate need of finding new product and purpose. With the debut of the Halcyon Concept the struggling automaker aims to give the world a sense of where it’s going. The all-electric show car offers an array of advanced technologies, from facial biometrics to fully driverless operation. It also turns to a potentially breakthrough battery technology that could be charged directly from the road, “allowing for unlimited range.” How much of that could wind up in production? More from Headlight.News.
Americans Don’t Have Much Faith in Self-Driving Vehicles
Recent headlines about self-driving vehicles being involved in crashes and a lack of knowledge about the technology suggest Americans aren’t in any hurry to let their car, truck or utility vehicle take the wheel. Headlight.News has details.
Latest Recall Adds to Tesla’s Very, Very, Very Bad Week
Tesla will recall 200,000 EVs to address a problem with their backup camera. The latest in a series of recalls comes as the automaker faces some serious challenges, including a slowdown in sales and earnings that led to a major sell-off of stock this week, wiping out $80 billion in shareholder value. Headlight.News has more.
Oy, Vay! German Startup Uses Remote Control for New Las Vegas Ride-Sharing Service
The crash of a Cruise ride-share vehicle in San Francisco last October has raised concerns about the readiness of robocab technology. But how will buyers take to an alternative approach that has launched in Las Vegas? German startup Vay’s small car-sharing fleet doesn’t have humans onboard. Instead, it relies on remote “teledrivers.” More from Headlight.News.