GoKawiil
Tech News
Waymo announced plans to expand its autonomous vehicle operations into Germany, marking its first move into the European market. The company will begin testing its self-driving technology on German roads as a precursor to potential commercial service.
Waymo announced plans to bring its autonomous vehicles to Munich, aiming to launch commercial robotaxi service there by the end of 2027, marking its first deployment in the European Union. The company will begin mapping streets and testing with safety drivers in the coming weeks while seeking permits from local, state and federal authorities. Munich follows London, where Waymo hopes to start public rides as soon as next month, as part of a broader European push that includes new subsidiaries in France, Spain, the Netherlands and Switzerland.
A Portland-based remote worker converted his home office plans after finding Autonomous.ai's prefab office pods would cost nearly $30,000 once shipping, assembly and HVAC installation were included. He instead chose to build a backyard office by converting a shed frame, aiming for a cheaper solution with proper heating and cooling that didn't require a home purchase or long-term commitment.
Autonomous box-truck startup Gatik has raised $200 million, its largest round yet, led by Qatar Investment Authority and Koch Disruptive Technologies with backing from Millennium Management, ARK Invest, and Intact Private Capital. The raise comes two months after Gatik signed a multi-year commercial agreement with PepsiCo, bringing its total funding since 2019 to roughly $500 million. The company did not disclose its current valuation.
BlackBerry CEO John Giamatteo told CNBC that robotics has become one of the fastest-growing segments within its QNX software division, which is already embedded in 275 million vehicles for safety-critical automotive functions. He said QNX is increasingly powering industrial robots, warehouse forklifts and medical devices rather than humanoid robots, and that a portion of QNX's $950 million order backlog comes from robotics customers.
As robotaxi fleets grow in cities like New York, Washington DC, and San Francisco, local officials and lawmakers are moving to impose new restrictions, including vehicle caps, per-mile fees, and stricter citation powers. Governor Hochul shelved a plan to expand driverless taxis beyond NYC after union and legislative opposition, while San Francisco's mayor now backs tougher rules following traffic disruptions caused by Waymo vehicles. Federal regulators have also warned AV makers about safety risks when interacting with emergency responders.