Boston dragging its feet on autonomous vehicles?
Despite the advanced capabilities of a popular robotaxi company already operating in multiple cities and logging over 71 million fully autonomous miles—with 88% fewer serious injury crashes than humans—the Boston City Council is raising flags. Politicians questioned terminology like “driver” for a machine, and some even voiced worries the technology would act like a “confused out-of-state tourist.” Supporters warn that Boston’s cautious approach could deter investment and limit the city’s role in shaping the future of mobility. The company argues that early adoption could position Boston as a leader in AV innovation rather than a follower.
Read more: Washington Post
A wave of new robotaxi laws sweeps across the US
This year, Arizona, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, and Washington, DC, enacted legislation specifically addressing autonomous vehicles, covering areas like insurance, licensing, permitting, and testing. Lawmakers in 25 states have introduced 67 bills already, reflecting the urgency of establishing clear AV frameworks. Many of these laws are designed to attract investment and streamline the permitting process, but they also address safety oversight and liability. Industry experts say that states with early, well-defined rules are likely to see the fastest AV adoption, as companies prefer predictable legal environments.
Read more: Governing
In Austin, one robotaxi excels—another still needs help.
A hands-on comparison in Austin revealed that a well-established robotaxi company’s fleet delivered precise pickup/drop-off and assertive—but smooth—ride experiences. A newer competitor’s pilot service felt promising yet required human intervention on three occasions due to navigation hiccups or app glitches. Testers noted that while the second service handled most scenarios competently, it struggled in construction-heavy zones and during complex lane merges. The contrasting results highlight how wide the performance gap remains between market leaders and new entrants.
Read more: Business Insider
New York City awaits driverless ride-hailing—but hurdles remain.
One prominent autonomous vehicle player is actively hiring drivers in NYC to gather data, signaling serious intent to enter the market. Meanwhile, another has formally applied for a permit to test fully driverless vehicles—though current state law mandates a human onboard at all times. Both are lobbying Albany lawmakers to modernize these regulations, arguing that New York’s dense, unpredictable traffic is a proving ground for advanced AV tech. If approved, the city could become one of the most challenging and prestigious AV markets in the country.
Read more: Morning Brew
GM’s reboot: ditching robotaxis for personal autonomous vehicles.
General Motors is searching for a fresh start in the AV space. The company is restarting its autonomous vehicle program—but shifting priorities: instead of robotaxis, they are now focusing on hands-free personal vehicles built on existing models like the Chevrolet Bolt. Executives believe that personal AVs could offer a faster path to profitability and public trust than shared ride-hailing fleets. Safety drivers will remain in place during testing as the company collects real-world data to refine performance before a broader rollout.
Read more: Fox Business
A luxury personal robocar for 2026—Tensor enters the race.
A new player in the autonomous vehicle ecosystem, a Silicon Valley-based startup, has unveiled what it claims is the world’s first Level 4 robocar designed for personal ownership. Built from the ground up, the luxury vehicle features more than 100 sensors, including cameras, lidars, radars, microphones, and ultrasonic detectors, alongside GNSS and 5G connectivity. Its “agentic AI” can respond conversationally to passengers and is trained to handle difficult driving conditions such as fog, glare, and nighttime traffic. With deliveries scheduled for 2026, the company is targeting high-end consumers across the US, Europe, and the Middle East.
Read more: Forbes
