Shared autonomous shuttles head to Atlanta & Orlando for 2026 World Cup
Beep, Inc. has announced plans to deploy “production-grade” autonomous minibuses (Karsan e-JEST models) in both Atlanta and Orlando ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The program will support regional transit corridors and major event routes, offering spectators and tourists a first-hand look at how shared AVs can integrate into public mobility systems. Beep says the vehicles will be capable of low-speed, fully autonomous operation in controlled environments and will run continuous service throughout World Cup festivities. The rollout is expected to provide valuable safety and performance data under real-world, high-demand conditions.
Read more: Urbanize Atlanta
Europe’s self-driving industry still stuck at the gate
Europe’s autonomous-vehicle industry remains well behind its global competitors, with most large-scale testing and deployment still in early planning phases. While countries like Germany and the UK have introduced AV legislation, cross-border inconsistencies, strict data privacy standards, and slow funding cycles continue to hinder progress. Automakers argue that without unified EU regulation and streamlined approvals, European AV development will lag far behind the United States and China. Analysts say the region’s caution may preserve safety credibility but risks its long-term competitiveness in the global mobility market.
Read more: Bloomberg
China set to approve a popular robotaxi company’s full self-driving software
A popular robotaxi company expects to receive full regulatory approval for its advanced self-driving software in China as early as the first quarter of 2026. The system, which has been in testing across major Chinese cities, represents one of the most advanced international deployments of the company’s autonomy technology. If approved, it will allow customers to access the platform’s full suite of autonomous features for the first time in a foreign market. The move could also reshape competitive dynamics in China, where domestic players like Baidu’s Apollo Go and WeRide have aggressively expanded their robotaxi operations.
Read more: Bloomberg
WeRide emphasizes safety as it prepares Hong Kong IPO
WeRide CEO Tony Han said safety remains the company’s most critical differentiator as it moves toward a Hong Kong stock market listing expected in early 2026. Han underscored that the company’s goal is not simply to deploy robotaxis, but to create a platform that exceeds human driving performance in reliability, situational awareness, and risk mitigation. Proceeds from the IPO will fund large-scale fleet expansion, international partnerships, and additional R&D focused on advanced perception and AI decision systems. The offering is also viewed as a key test for investor confidence in China’s broader autonomous vehicle sector following recent market volatility.
Read more: Fortune
Labor push-back grows as AV pilots hit Boston politics
Unions and city officials in Boston are intensifying opposition to expanded AV testing, citing risks to local jobs, pedestrian safety, and municipal liability. Organized labor is urging the city to establish a public review process before issuing commercial permits, arguing that worker input has been largely excluded from early policy discussions. City councilors have echoed those calls, noting that unregulated rollouts could upend traditional transit operations and local employment. The standoff underscores a growing national trend in which technology and workforce policy are colliding head-on at the local level.
Read more: Axios
