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This Week in AV News: Lawmakers and Innovators Shaping the Future of Self-Driving Technology

By Eric Tanenblatt, Peter Stockburger, and Walker Boothe
January 13, 2025
  • Autonomous Vehicles
  • Driverless Commute
  • General
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Self-Driving Companies Call for US Government Support

Leading autonomous vehicle (AV) companies, including Waymo, Ford, a popular ridesharing company, Zoox, and Volkswagen, are urging the US government to adopt policies that accelerate the deployment of self-driving cars. They emphasize the need for national regulatory standards to eliminate inconsistencies across states and keep pace with international competition, particularly from China.

The coalition’s proposals include federal leadership on vehicle design and performance standards and streamlining regulatory approvals. Current US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has acknowledged the importance of balancing innovation with safety, emphasizing the need for public trust in AV technology.

This push for unified action highlights the industry’s urgency in overcoming policy bottlenecks and unlocking the full potential of autonomous vehicles.

Read more: Reuters


Autonomous Vehicles Shine at CES 2025


The 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) showcased remarkable advancements in autonomous vehicle technology, reinforcing its central role in the future of transportation. Innovations included next-generation lidar systems, AI-powered navigation tools, and enhanced safety features. Nvidia unveiled updates to its DRIVE platform, which provides robust AI solutions for self-driving systems, while Tesla and GM shared new developments in their autonomous programs.

CES 2025 also highlighted partnerships between tech companies and automakers, underscoring the collaborative efforts driving this transformation. Industry experts noted that AVs are no longer futuristic but a present-day reality reshaping mobility.

Read more: TechCrunch.


Opinion: Lawmakers Must Embrace Autonomous Vehicles


The Seattle Times recently published an opinion piece advocating a proactive approach to autonomous vehicle legislation. The editorial argues that AVs have the potential to significantly reduce road fatalities, increase transportation efficiency, and expand mobility for underserved populations. However, the piece warns that excessive regulatory hurdles could stifle innovation and delay these benefits.

The article calls on lawmakers to collaborate with the AV industry to create policies that ensure safety while fostering innovation. It also highlights the economic opportunities associated with leadership in autonomous technology and urges a balanced approach to legislation.

Read more: Seattle Times.


Nvidia and A Popular Ridesharing Company Partner on AI for Self-Driving Technology


Nvidia and A popular ridesharing company have announced a partnership to enhance self-driving technology, a significant move for the autonomous vehicle sector. Nvidia’s cutting-edge AI platforms will support the popular ridesharing company’s autonomous vehicle program, improving the accuracy and efficiency of its AV systems.

This collaboration builds on Nvidia’s existing dominance in the AV technology space and aligns with the popular ridesharing company’s vision of transforming its ride-hailing fleet into a predominantly autonomous service. Industry analysts believe this partnership will accelerate the deployment of commercial self-driving vehicles, with potential impacts on urban transportation networks and logistics operations.

Read more: Yahoo Finance.

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Eric Tanenblatt

About Eric Tanenblatt

Eric Tanenblatt is the Global Chair of Public Policy and Regulation of Dentons, the world's largest law firm. He also leads the firm's US Public Policy Practice, leveraging his three decades of experience at the very highest levels of the federal and state governments.

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Peter Stockburger

About Peter Stockburger

Peter Stockburger is the office managing partner for the Firm’s San Diego office, a member of the Firm’s Venture Technology and Emerging Growth Companies group, and co-lead of the Firm’s Autonomous Vehicle practice. With a focus on data privacy and security, Peter works with clients of all sizes and maturity to build and shore up their privacy and security programs, deploy technology, enhance compliance and stakeholder confidence, take new products to market, work through data governance and retention challenges, navigate workplace disputes, and harness emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

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Walker Boothe

About Walker Boothe

Walker Boothe is an associate managing director in Dentons’ Public Policy and Regulation practice.

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This Week in AV News

By Eric Tanenblatt, Peter Stockburger, and Walker Boothe

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