Waymo’s Self‑Driving Taxi Hits Child Near Santa Monica School, NHTSA Investigation Underway

Archyde “`html Waymo Robotaxi Involved in Collision with Child in Santa Monica Santa Monica,California – A Waymo autonomous vehicle struck a child near an elementary school on january 23,2026,prompting an inquiry… You can read the full story here: Waymo’s Self‑Driving Taxi Hits Child Near Santa Monica School, NHTSA Investigation Underway. Source link

Google reveals sweeping AI upgrades for Gemini & launches new Beam

Google has unveiled developments in artificial intelligence (AI) across its Gemini platform alongside expansions to products such as Search, Workspace, and video communications. Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai delivered a wide-ranging update highlighting the company’s swift pace of AI advancement, referencing significant growth metrics, new solutions, and an emphasis on making AI more accessible. Pichai … Read more

Google reveals sweeping AI upgrades for Gemini & launches new Beam

Google has unveiled developments in artificial intelligence (AI) across its Gemini platform alongside expansions to products such as Search, Workspace, and video communications. Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai delivered a wide-ranging update highlighting the company’s swift pace of AI advancement, referencing significant growth metrics, new solutions, and an emphasis on making AI more accessible. Pichai … Read more

Robotaxi Blocks Drive-Thru: Autonomous Car Issue

The Roadblocks to Robotaxis: A Chick-fil-A Drive-Thru Highlighted Table of Contents The Roadblocks to Robotaxis: A Chick-fil-A Drive-Thru Highlighted Navigating the “Last Mile” Problem The Current state of Autonomous Vehicle Deployment Beyond Drive-Thrus: The Broader Implications The Road to autonomy: Examining Recent Challenges for Robotaxi Deployment Unexpected Detours: A Case Study in Autonomous Limitations The … Read more

Waymo readies autonomous cars for first international tests in Japan

Next week, Waymo’s driverless vehicles will begin testing on public roads in Japan for the Alphabet company’s first international trip. Waymo has yet to confirm whether it will eventually launch a commercial robotaxi service in the country, but the company is still celebrating the excursion as a “significant milestone.” Waymo describes it as a simple … Read more

Week in Review: SXSW week comes to a close

Welcome back to Week in Review! I’m Karyne Levy, TechCrunch’s deputy managing editor, and I’ll be writing this newsletter from here on out. Thrilled to be here! This week we’re checking out everything at SXSW; Waymo’s expansion into Silicon Valley; Intel’s new CEO; TikTok’s new suitor; and why DeepSeek isn’t taking VC money. Let’s get … Read more

Waymo’s autonomous robotaxis are starting to merge onto LA freeways

Waymo on X today that it has opened fully autonomous rides on LA freeways to its employees. The company noted that this is a preliminary step toward bringing its vehicle fleet onto highways for all passengers in the city. Freeways are an intrinsic part of the LA experience. To better serve our expansive 79-square-mile service … Read more

Waymo is reportedly building a charity ‘tipping’ feature into its robotaxi app

Alphabet-owned autonomous vehicle company Waymo might be planning to test a feature that will allow robotaxi riders to add a “tip” that will go to the charity of their choice after a ride. Jane Manchun Wong, a security researcher who recently hacked the display dome on top of a Waymo vehicle, found the new tip … Read more