TechCrunch Mobility: AV companies pick their lanes
News Source
β’Sun, 27 Sep 2026 16:02:00 +0000
π° What Happened
TechCrunch's transport newsletter looked at how self-driving car firms are growing. Wayve signed a deal with Mercedes-Benz to put its driving tech in at least one car model within two years. That system still needs a human driver ready to take over.
Wayve also has deals with Nissan and Stellantis, and plans a robotaxi service in Tokyo with Uber. Waymo is expanding its robotaxi network, but only in certain areas. The newsletter said the tech is not yet common everywhere.
π The Backstory
Self-driving cars have been tested for more than a decade. Early promises of fully driverless vehicles everywhere did not come true. Companies have since focused on partnerships with car makers.
Rules differ from country to country and even city to city. That makes it slow and costly to launch services in new places.
π― Why It Matters
Self-driving tech could change how people travel and could reduce crashes. But it may take years before it is safe, legal and cheap enough for most places.
TechCrunch's transport newsletter looked at how self-driving car firms are growing. Wayve signed a deal with Mercedes-Benz to put its driving tech in at least one car model within two years. That system still needs a human driver ready to take over.
Wayve also has deals with Nissan and Stellantis, and plans a robotaxi service in Tokyo with Uber. Waymo is expanding its robotaxi network, but only in certain areas. The newsletter said the tech is not yet common everywhere.
Self-driving cars have been tested for more than a decade. Early promises of fully driverless vehicles everywhere did not come true. Companies have since focused on partnerships with car makers.
Rules differ from country to country and even city to city. That makes it slow and costly to launch services in new places.
Self-driving tech could change how people travel and could reduce crashes. But it may take years before it is safe, legal and cheap enough for most places.