In autonomous and self-driving vehicle news are Aurora, Volkswagen, Valeo, Mobileye, Waymo, WeRide, Luminar, Caterpillar and Baidu Apollo.
Aurora Innovation Driverless Safety Report
Aurora Innovation (NASDAQ: AUR), a leader in autonomous trucking, has released a comprehensive Driverless Safety Report outlining its approach to safety engineering, cybersecurity, and risk management. The report highlights the company’s commitment to transparency and details how its autonomous system, the Aurora Driver, ensures safe operations. As Aurora prepares to launch its commercial self-driving trucking service in Texas, the report provides insight into the company’s rigorous safety protocols and industry best practices.
Chief Safety Officer Nat Beuse emphasized Aurora’s safety-first philosophy, stating, “Our safety approach spans both product and organization.” The report details how Aurora integrates safety across all aspects of its operations, from engineering to road deployment. With the upcoming introduction of the Aurora Driver, the company aims to safely transport freight on public roads without a human driver, marking a major milestone in autonomous trucking.
Aurora is finalizing its safety case for driverless operations on the Dallas-to-Houston freight route, demonstrating that its autonomous trucks meet acceptable safety standards. As the first company to introduce a Safety Case Framework for both autonomous trucks and passenger vehicles, Aurora has set an industry precedent now followed by other developers. The company’s latest report, published in January, provides further details on its efforts to ensure the safe rollout of driverless trucking.
Volkswagen, Valeo & Mobileye to Upgrade Driver Assistance Systems
Volkswagen Group is collaborating with Valeo and Mobileye to enhance the advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in its upcoming vehicles built on the MQB platform. The new system, expected to launch within the next few years, will introduce Level 2+ capabilities, offering enhanced partially automated driving features that improve safety and driving comfort. This partnership aligns with Volkswagen’s commitment to meeting customer expectations and regulatory requirements, while simultaneously streamlining procurement and enhancing efficiency.
The upgraded system will deliver hands-free driving in approved highway conditions and include advanced features such as traffic jam assist, hazard detection, parking assist, driver monitoring, and 360-degree emergency assist. Additionally, it will integrate future-ready capabilities such as augmented reality displays. By consolidating hardware and software procurement across multiple brands, Volkswagen aims to reduce complexity and ensure cost-effective solutions while maintaining high-quality technology for its customers.
The system features a 360-degree ring of cameras and radars supported by software-defined capabilities that enable smart parking and improved occupant and pedestrian safety. Valeo will supply high-performance ECUs, sensors, and parking solutions, while Mobileye will contribute its Surround ADAS™ platform, which includes the EyeQ™6 High processor and mapping technologies. This marks the first time these technologies will be integrated into a single system, replacing multiple ECUs with a centralized unit that enhances system performance, improves efficiency, and allows for over-the-air updates to meet evolving safety standards.
Volkswagen Group’s partnership with Valeo and Mobileye underscores its dedication to advancing vehicle safety and automation while maintaining cost efficiency. “At Valeo, we are committed to advancing innovation in driver assistance technology,” said Marc Vrecko, CEO of Valeo Brain Division. Prof. Amnon Shashua, President and CEO of Mobileye, added, “By improving efficiency and costs while upgrading capabilities for safety and comfort, this system points the way to a new class of driving technology.” Through this collaboration, Volkswagen is taking a significant step toward shaping the future of mobility by integrating AI innovations into real-world driving environments.
Waymo One Autonomous Ride-Hailing Service, Washington, D.C. by 2026
Waymo One, the world’s leading fully autonomous ride-hailing service, will be available to riders in the nation’s capital via the Waymo One app starting in 2026. After returning to Washington, D.C. earlier this year, Waymo has been laying the groundwork for its autonomous ride-hailing service and will continue engaging with D.C.’s communities and emergency responders over the coming months. The company is also collaborating closely with policymakers to formalize the regulatory framework needed to operate without a human driver in the District.
“Waymo One is making fully autonomous driving a reality for millions of people across the U.S.,” said Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana. “We’re excited to bring the comfort, consistency, and safety of Waymo One to Washingtonians, those who work and play in the city every day, and the millions of people from around the world who travel to the District every year.”
Expanding Coast to Coast
Currently, Waymo One provides over 200,000 fully autonomous paid trips each week, allowing riders to run errands, meet with friends and family, and explore cities like San Francisco, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Austin. The service is set to expand to Atlanta and Miami next, with Washington, D.C. to follow shortly thereafter. Governors Highway Safety Association CEO Jonathan Adkins praised Waymo’s safety-first approach, stating, “I’ve experienced firsthand how safely the Waymo Driver operates around pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users. Waymo has worked with GHSA and our first responder network as they’ve expanded their service, always putting safety first. As someone who walks to work almost every day, I’m excited to share the road with Waymo in Washington, D.C.”
Pioneering a Safer, Autonomous Future
Waymo continues to lead the U.S. and the world into a fully autonomous driving future. As the company expands its services domestically and internationally, its mission remains unchanged: to be the world’s most trusted driver. Building this trust means prioritizing safety, and Waymo’s proven track record includes over 50 million miles of fully autonomous driving. Collision and insurance data consistently demonstrate that Waymo One is already making a positive impact in the cities where it operates.
As Washington, D.C. prepares to join this autonomous driving future, those interested in staying informed about Waymo’s progress in the District can sign up for updates on the latest developments.
WeRide Secures France’s Level-4 Driverless Permit
WeRide, a global leader in autonomous driving, has become the first company to hold driverless permits across five countries after securing France’s Level-4 driverless public road testing and operating permit. Partnering with beti, WeRide completed the rigorous approval process in a record three months. The permit allows its autonomous minibus to operate at speeds up to 40 km/h, the highest-speed driverless authorization in France. In February, WeRide launched Europe’s first public-road commercial autonomous minibus service in Valence, aiming for full driverless operations by July 2025. With a presence in 30 cities across 10 countries, WeRide continues expanding its global network through strategic partnerships with industry leaders like Uber, Renault, and Zurich Airport.
Luminar Partners with Caterpillar
summary: Luminar has announced a collaboration with Caterpillar to integrate its LiDAR technology into Caterpillar’s next-generation autonomous solutions. Initially deployed in Cat® Command for hauling, the system will feature two Iris LiDAR units designed specifically for Caterpillar’s off-highway trucks, enhancing navigation and obstacle detection in quarry and aggregate operations. Caterpillar, a leader in industrial autonomy, has logged over 334 million autonomous kilometers. The partnership aims to advance automation in industrial equipment, improving safety, productivity, and efficiency. Luminar’s expansion beyond automotive into industrial applications marks a significant step in the future of automation.
Baidu’s Apollo Go Expands to Abu Dhabi
Baidu’s autonomous ride-hailing service, Apollo Go, has partnered with UAE-based Autogo to launch the largest fully driverless fleet in Abu Dhabi. Initial trials of Apollo Go’s autonomous vehicles will begin in select areas, with full commercial operations expected by 2026.
The collaboration aligns with Abu Dhabi’s smart mobility goals, integrating Apollo Go’s advanced autonomous driving technology with Autogo’s local expertise. Baidu’s robotaxi arm, already operating in over 10 Chinese cities and Hong Kong, brings extensive experience with 150 million kilometers of safe autonomous driving.
The partnership aims to enhance transportation efficiency, sustainability, and convenience while supporting Abu Dhabi’s smart city vision.