Trump’s Auto Safety Pick Signals Fast-Track for AV Deployment
President Trump’s nominee to lead the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Jonathan Morrison, told the Senate Commerce Committee he would prioritize both public safety and the rapid rollout of autonomous vehicles. In his confirmation hearing, Morrison emphasized the need to go beyond the current voluntary AV guidelines and proactively establish federal regulations that enable broader development. He criticized the current cap that limits automakers to 2,500 exemptions for AVs that don’t meet traditional safety standards and referenced earlier proposals that would raise the cap to 100,000 vehicles. Morrison argued that strong federal leadership is necessary to foster innovation without hampering investment. He warned that uncertainty in federal policy could have a “chilling effect” on the AV industry, deterring billions in private capital. While industry leaders praised his nomination, safety advocates voiced concern over his track record of rolling back regulations and halting investigations into AV-related safety incidents.
Lucid, Nuro, and a popular ridesharing platform Join Forces for AV Fleet Partnership
Lucid Motors, autonomous delivery pioneer Nuro, and ride-hailing giant have launched a groundbreaking strategic alliance to build a hybrid fleet of autonomous vehicles. The initiative will combine Lucid’s high-end EV platforms, Nuro’s compact autonomous delivery pods, and this ride sharing company’s global mobility infrastructure to serve both goods and passengers on-demand. The companies say the partnership is designed to bridge the gap between robotaxis and automated delivery by unifying logistics and fleet management technologies. Pilots are expected to launch in select California and Texas cities in early 2026, with plans for scalability depending on regulatory cooperation. The collaboration represents one of the most ambitious AV alliances to date, signaling a shift toward multi-purpose autonomous platforms.
Pronto AI Acquires SafeAI to Expand into Off-Road Autonomy
Pronto AI, the AV startup founded by Anthony Levandowski, has acquired SafeAI, a leading player in off-road autonomy for mining and construction vehicles. This acquisition allows Pronto to diversify its offerings beyond highway freight and into heavy-industry sectors that are already adopting automation at scale. SafeAI brings an extensive portfolio of ruggedized vehicle platforms and industrial clients, complementing Pronto’s software-first approach. According to Levandowski, the combined company will accelerate deployment timelines and aim for full-stack AV dominance across both on-road and off-road markets. The move also reflects a broader industry trend of AV firms diversifying their revenue streams and use cases amid a challenging regulatory climate for urban robotaxis.
Waymo Ramps Up While an Autonomous mobility company Scales Robotaxi Service
Alphabet’s Waymo continues to steadily expand, doubling its service area in just three months and adding new pickup zones in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and the Bay Area. The company reported a 40% uptick in ridership, citing strong demand in urban and suburban markets alike, and teased future plans to enter the Miami and Austin markets. Meanwhile, a popular autonomous mobility company has expanded its robotaxi service to six additional cities, including Chicago and Atlanta, aggressively scaling its fleet without the same level of regulatory approvals that competitors pursue. This approach—relying on consumer vehicles running Full Self-Driving (FSD) Beta software—has drawn both applause for innovation and criticism over safety and transparency. As the two companies take divergent paths, the AV industry may soon face a regulatory reckoning over what level of testing and oversight should be required for national deployment.
Texas Launches Nation’s First AV-Specific Permitting System
Texas has officially launched the country’s first state-run permitting system designed specifically for autonomous vehicles. The system will streamline how AV companies apply for operational approval, submit incident reports, and comply with statewide safety requirements. Unlike traditional DMV processes, this new framework includes a real-time public dashboard that maps where AVs are operating, what types of vehicles are on the road, and how they are performing. Industry leaders have applauded Texas for taking a forward-thinking approach, and officials say the permitting model could help ease public concerns about safety and transparency. As AV testing ramps up in Austin, Houston, and Dallas, other states may look to Texas as a national model for regulating self-driving tech.
