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TechCrunch Mobility: AV companies pick their lanes

10 h ago

Autonomous vehicle technology is being commercialized through partnerships and concentrated scaling, with Wayve locking a Level 2 automated driving deal with Mercedes-Benz, Waymo concentrating 80% of its 4,000 robotaxis in California and Texas, and Aurora targeting 30,000 driverless trucks by 2030. This TechCrunch Mobility roundup covers the transition from testing to commercial product, highlighting key strategies for scaling self-driving tech. Wayve’s partnership with Mercedes-Benz will integrate its automated driving into at least one model within two years, following similar deals with Nissan and Stellantis. Waymo’s fleet has grown 49% in Texas over three weeks, with vehicle registration data showing heavy concentration in two states. Aurora plans over 200 driverless trucks by year-end and more than 30,000 by 2030, having “emerged from the building stage.” In other news, Zoox grounded its Atlanta test fleet after safety drivers were potentially exposed to carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, or hydrogen sulfide; only CO2 was confirmed, and OSHA opened an inquiry. Transportation IPOs are active: Carro (SoftBank-backed used car marketplace) considers dual Nasdaq/Singapore listing; India’s Spinny and PMI Electro filed confidentially; EcoCeres plans $1B Hong Kong IPO; May Mobility announced a SPAC merger. Ultraviolette raised $85M and added Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan as adviser. Comma faces federal investigation after five crashes involving its driver-assistance tech, including three deaths. Einride will use Nvidia’s Hyperion platform for its next-gen autonomous truck system. PitPro Automation deployed a tire-changing robot in Canada. The Boring Company works on a “precursor Hyperloop” between Austin and San Antonio. Tesla delivered its first Semi trucks, though charging remains a hurdle. Volkswagen delays ID Buzz return to US, while its MOIA America unit launches self-driving ID Buzz services with Mobileye tech in Orlando. Disrupt 2026 features Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe onstage October 13.