In autonomous and self-driving vehicle news are Uber, Wayve, California DMV, California Bills and Mitsubishi Electric.
Uber Partners with Wayve
Wayve, a leader in Embodied AI for self-driving, announced a new strategic partnership with Uber, the world’s leading mobility and delivery network.
Uber has also agreed to make a strategic investment in Wayve as an extension of the company’s previously announced Series C fundraising round.
With the additional funding and support from Uber, Wayve intends to accelerate its work with global OEMs to enhance consumer vehicles with Level 2+ advanced driver assistance and Level 3 automated driving capabilities, while also working towards the development of globally scalable Level 4 autonomous vehicles for future deployment on Uber.
Distinct from traditional AV approaches, Wayve has a unique focus on mapless end-to-end AI technology, designed to allow automated vehicles to operate without geofenced limits. The partnership envisions future Wayve-powered self-driving vehicles being made available on the Uber network in multiple markets around the world, bringing Wayve’s leading technology to Uber’s more than 150 million monthly global users.
Alex Kendall, Co-founder and CEO of Wayve:
“Wayve is building a ‘general purpose’ driving Al that can power all levels of driving automation in any type of vehicle, anywhere in the world. I’m excited to be teaming up with Uber, the largest mobility network in the world, to massively ramp up our AI’s fleet learning, ensuring our AV technology is safe and ready for global deployment across Uber’s network. Together, we’re excited to work with Automotive OEMs to bring autonomous driving technologies to consumers sooner.”
Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber:
“Uber and Wayve share a vision of reimagining mobility for the better. Wayve’s advanced Embodied AI approach holds a ton of promise as we work towards a world where modern vehicles are shared, electric and autonomous. We’re thrilled to bring Wayve on as a partner to work alongside automakers as we continue to build out Uber as the best network for self-driving vehicles.”
California DMV Asks for Heavy-duty AV Input
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requests input on draft regulatory language released today that offers the nation’s most comprehensive standards for the operation of heavy-duty autonomous vehicles (AVs) weighing 10,001 pounds or more. These draft regulations will also update existing rules for the testing and deployment of light-duty AVs on California’s public roads.
“We encourage the public to participate in shaping these regulations to ensure that California remains at the forefront of innovation while keeping our roads safe,” said California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin. “It’s time to take the next step and continue to responsibly advance technology that has the potential to not only enhance safe and sustainable transportation options but also to create new jobs and opportunities for workers within the evolving transportation sector.”
The draft regulations, located on the DMV website, are designed with a focus on establishing the highest safety standards. The DMV is seeking input from the public and stakeholders through October 14, 2024, which will be considered before the DMV begins the formal rulemaking process. The formal process will also include notice of proposed regulations and an opportunity for public comment. The draft language made available today is not a formal regulatory proposal.
The draft proposed regulations address both light-duty and heavy-duty AVs, underscoring California’s commitment to public safety, technological innovation, and the establishment of a robust framework for AV technology testing and deployment.
The DMV invites interested parties to offer input on the proposed changes – including manufacturers; experts in autonomous vehicle technology; consumer, labor, and public interest groups; local governments; first responders; potential end-users of autonomous vehicle technology; and academic/research institutions.
“California continues to lead the nation in transportation innovation as we embrace new technologies,” said DMV Director Steve Gordon. “The meticulous, phased-in approach we are taking in this rulemaking process is designed to yield the safest and most comprehensive regulations for autonomous vehicles.”
How to Submit Input: Input on the draft regulatory language can be submitted by email to AutonomousVehicles@dmv.ca.gov, by October 14, 2024. All submissions must include the commenter’s name and affiliation—anonymous comments will not be accepted. Please do not include any sensitive, personally identifying information such as Social Security numbers, driver license numbers, or financial account numbers on the request. All input received will become part of the public record and may be publicly accessible.
The DMV takes the safety of the traveling public seriously and has implemented a phased approach to regulating the testing and public use of autonomous vehicles on California roadways. Regulations to allow testing of certain light-duty vehicles with a safety driver behind the wheel took effect in 2014. Rules to allow testing without a driver and deployment of light-duty autonomous vehicles were subsequently adopted and took effect in 2018. Regulations allowing for light-duty autonomous delivery vehicles weighing less than 10,001 pounds were approved in 2019. Current regulations prohibit the testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles (SAE Level 3 and above) weighing 10,001 pounds or more.
Autonomous Safety Bills in CA
Two autonomous vehicle (AV) safety bills strongly supported by the Teamsters Union were overwhelmingly passed by the California Assembly on August 29 as bipartisan legislators took a critical step to protect union trucking jobs and keep streets safe statewide.
Assembly Bill 2286 (AB 2286) and Assembly Bill 3061 (AB 3016) now go to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk for signature. The bills, collectively known as the California Automotive Regulatory Standards (CARS) Package, would put human operators in AVs and establish better reporting and collection measures for AV roadway violations and other accidents.
“The human operator bill passed with over 90 percent support among elected officials on both sides of the aisle, just like it did last time.” said Peter Finn, Teamsters Western Region International Vice President and President of Teamsters Joint Council 7 in San Francisco. “AB 3061 passed by a similar margin. The CARS Package is critical to protecting thousands of good trucking jobs that Californians rely on and to keeping our streets secure. The Teamsters applaud California elected officials on both sides of the aisle who supported this legislation and call on Gov. Newsom to immediately sign these bills into law.”
With strong Teamsters support, autonomous vehicle safety legislation Assembly Bill 2286 (AB 2286) and Assembly Bill 3061 (AB 3061) overwhelmingly passed the California Assembly with concurrence, with votes of 31-3 and 30-7 respectively. The bills – collectively known as the California Automotive Regulatory Standards (CARS) Package – are critical to protecting good trucking jobs and keeping California streets safe. Both now head to Governor Newsom’s desk.
AB 2286, formerly Assembly Bill 316, was first introduced by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-4) in January 2023. The bill would require a trained human operator behind the wheel of self-driving trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds, preserving hundreds of thousands of good-paying union jobs and keeping California roads safe. It passed by a vote of 31-3.
AB 3061, introduced by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-17), requires AV companies in California to publicly report any vehicle collisions, traffic violations, disengagements, assaults, or harassment involving their vehicles to the Dept. of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The legislation is critical to ensuring public transparency and accountability, especially as AV companies fail to publicly report major incidents on California roads. It passed by a vote of 30-7.
“Whether we’re talking about robotaxi companies like Waymo and Cruise or trucking companies like Aurora, it’s clear we cannot trust these profit-hungry businesses to prioritize safety and good jobs. AB 2286 and AB 3061 are vital to the accountability we need,” said Chris Griswold, Teamsters International Vice President At-Large and President of Teamsters Joint Council 42 in Pomona. “Our elected leaders in California have once again spoken up in favor of AV regulation. It’s time Gov. Newsom do the same, to put Californians before Big Tech, and to sign AB 2286 and AB 3061 into law.”
Teamsters-supported AV safety legislation continues to gain support amid a backdrop of widespread incidents, including robotaxis nearly hitting school crossing guards in San Francisco, and no significant safety measures implemented by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the DMV. In spite of the lack of safety protocols, Waymo recently started testing driverless robotaxis on San Francisco freeways. Uber announced it will partner with Cruise next year to launch driverless transportation through its ride-hailing services.
“For the last two years, the DMV and Public Utilities Commission have allowed for the rapid expansion of driverless vehicles on our roads with little to no oversight. In turn, Californians have experienced horrific safety accidents,” said Lindsay Dougherty, Teamsters Western Region International Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 399 in Hollywood. “Gov. Newsom needs to do right by the people who are responsible for his professional success. Those people are working-class Californians who voted for him—not venture capitalists. He can finally do right by signing these bills into law.”
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.
Mitsubishi Electric Intros HubPilot
Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America (MEAA) introduced the HubPilot™ autonomous distribution yard logistics platform as a service (PaaS). This innovative technology, the first in the market to leverage a unique combination of software, on-vehicle sensing, and infrastructure-based perception with high-definition mapping for precise localization, is set to transform logistics and distribution centers.
“The HubPilot platform utilizes infrastructure-based perception in conjunction with rover perception to make the intelligent decisions necessary for industry-leading yard management,” said Mark Rakoski, vice president of advanced engineering at MEAA. “This technology provides increased safety and security and optimizes logistics efficiency.”
Designed specifically for geofenced distribution centers and logistics hubs, the HubPilot platform employs optimized multi-sensor inputs on autonomous yard dogs, also known as rovers or terminal tractors. These sensors, combined with advanced software, allow the platform to visualize the yard dogs’ surroundings, identify assigned trailers, and confirm their locations using the HubPilot platform.
“Utilizing real-time data and visualization, the yard dogs autonomously connect with trailers and transports them to designated locations, all while maintaining constant awareness of their surroundings to avoid contact with stationary and moving objects, including people,” said Eyad Zeino, director of mobility at MEAA.
In addition, the HubPilot platform automates the connection of compressed air hoses to the trailer to operate the air brakes, eliminating the need for manual intervention each time a yard dog picks up or drops off a trailer. Trailers are virtually “tagged” so the HubPilot platform can track their location and movements in real time. The platform interfaces with the yard management system (YMS) to receive commands, operating at SAE Level 4 autonomy. Yard dogs can also be operated manually by a driver with the platform maintaining the same security, safety, and optimization benefits.
Road to Autonomy
Rakoski noted that airports, shipping ports, and large manufacturing facilities—anywhere that trailers and goods are moved—represent additional potential applications for the HubPilot platform, which serves as another steppingstone toward broader autonomy on streets and highways.
“The HubPilot platform will help alleviate the increasing driver shortage and improve safety, security, and working conditions,” Zeino said. “The technology can be used anywhere there are moving vehicles, and the infrastructure-mounted LIDAR eliminates blind spots that can’t be avoided with on-vehicle technology. A busy yard has a lot of different vehicles and trailers moving simultaneously, and the HubPilot platform provides a safe way for the rovers and trailers to navigate.”
Safety and Security
The HubPilot platform integrates sensors on both the vehicles and the infrastructure—such as buildings or poles—within the yard, enabling two-way communication that enhances safety and efficiency. Unlike competing models that have sensors only on the vehicles, the HubPilot platform provides full coverage of the area, eliminating blind spots and even detecting pedestrians in the yard.
MEAA engineered the HubPilot platform with advanced safety and cybersecurity measures to prevent the platform from interference from outside sources or from being accessed by hackers. It also improves security within the yard by providing 24/7 monitoring, which reduces theft and vandalism.
MEAA continues in the development phase of the HubPilot Platform in 2024 and will be fully operational in 2025.
Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America, Inc. (MEAA)
Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America, Inc. was established in 1979 to serve the North American automotive, heavy-duty truck and coach business. Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America offers a wide range of products and services, including passenger entertainment systems, car navigation systems, screens, head units, amplifiers, and powertrain products such as starters and alternators. Additional information is available at www.meaa-mea.com.