Logistics slowdown: AV trucks take a back seat
After years of bold predictions, autonomous freight is moving slower than expected. Many logistics firms have quietly scaled back or paused full driver-out pilots, citing cost pressures, regulatory uncertainty, and mixed insurance readiness. Instead, companies are focusing on semi-automated “advanced driver-assist” features that improve safety and fuel efficiency without removing the driver entirely. Analysts suggest that the near-term path for AV logistics will be incremental automation—not full autonomy—until the technology proves more reliable and economically sustainable on long-haul routes.
Read more: American Journal of Transportation
Federal probe targets a popular robotaxi company’s Autopilot
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a new investigation into the driver-assistance software used by a popular robotaxi company following reports of collisions with stationary emergency vehicles. Regulators are examining whether system design, driver monitoring, or misleading marketing contributed to the crashes. The probe broadens ongoing federal scrutiny into Level-2 and Level-3 systems that still require human supervision but are often marketed as “self-driving.” Outcomes from this investigation could shape new national safety standards and influence how future autonomy features are labeled and sold.
Read more: The Hill
Elusive autonomy: why full self-driving still isn’t here
Despite major advances in sensors, AI, and compute power, experts say fully autonomous vehicles remain years away from mainstream deployment. Industry executives now frame their timelines more cautiously, emphasizing driver-assist safety gains over complete autonomy. Even the most advanced systems still struggle with unpredictable pedestrian behavior, construction zones, and complex weather. Investors and regulators alike are tempering expectations, shifting focus from “driverless everywhere” to safer, bounded operating environments.
Read more: USA Today
Level-5 autonomy: the holy grail remains theoretical
A companion video analysis breaks down the industry’s ultimate benchmark—Level 5 autonomy, or vehicles capable of handling all conditions without human input. While many developers now test at Level 3 or 4, none have achieved the seamless adaptability required for Level 5 operation. Experts argue that such capability may remain aspirational for decades, constrained by cost, infrastructure gaps, and edge-case unpredictability. Still, the pursuit continues to drive breakthroughs in AI, mapping, and sensor fusion that will benefit lower-level systems along the way.
Read more: USA Today Video
