Yazılar

Self-Driving Technology and AI Take Center Stage at CES as Automakers Pull Back on EV Plans

/in /tarafından

Autonomous driving technology and artificial intelligence are expected to dominate this year’s CES trade show in Las Vegas, as automakers and investors look beyond electric vehicles for growth amid rising costs, safety concerns, and regulatory pressure.

With many carmakers scaling back electric vehicle strategies, suppliers and startups are using CES to showcase advances in self-driving hardware and software. Industry observers expect a wave of partnerships and announcements focused on reducing driver involvement — or eliminating the human driver altogether.

“This year you will see more and more focus on AI and autonomous,” said C.J. Finn, U.S. automotive industry leader at PwC, adding that the industry’s ability to deploy driverless technology safely will be closely scrutinized. He noted that connectivity and AI-driven autonomy will be “front and center” at the event.

AI is also spreading well beyond vehicles, with applications ranging from robotics and wearable devices to smart home systems and healthcare technology. Among the headline speakers at CES are Jensen Huang of Nvidia and Lisa Su of Advanced Micro Devices.

CES 2026 runs from January 6 to 9 and has in recent years become a major platform for automakers to debut new EVs. This year, however, the show will feature far fewer electric vehicle launches. A rollback of EV-friendly incentives under the Trump administration — including the removal of a $7,500 tax credit — has cooled consumer demand and forced automakers to rethink their strategies. As a result, most major manufacturers are not planning new EV unveilings at CES, marking a sharp shift from previous editions.

Picture background

Despite years of heavy investment, commercializing autonomous vehicles has proven difficult. Regulatory hurdles, high development costs, and investigations following crashes have pushed several companies out of the market. Still, momentum has returned following Tesla’s limited robotaxi rollout in Austin and the continued expansion of Waymo, owned by Alphabet.

Advanced driver-assistance systems have also improved, with hands-free highway driving and automated lane changes becoming more common. Automakers such as Rivian are aiming to introduce “eyes-off” driving features and autonomous operation on city streets.

At the same time, cost pressures remain a major concern. Automakers are reassessing capital spending after absorbing billions of dollars in EV-related write-downs and grappling with tariffs on imported vehicles and parts. Many have chosen to absorb tariff costs rather than pass them on to consumers, squeezing profit margins.

“The main theme we expect to see emerging at CES is cost and cost competitiveness,” said Felix Stellmaszek, global automotive and mobility leader at Boston Consulting Group, noting that competition from Chinese automakers is also weighing on industry strategies.

Waymo Begins Manual Autonomous Vehicle Tests at Newark Airport

/in /tarafından

Alphabet’s self-driving technology unit, Waymo, has started manual testing of its autonomous vehicles at Newark Liberty International Airport. This initiative marks a significant step toward introducing its robotaxi services to one of the busiest airports in the New York metropolitan area.

The testing, conducted with human drivers, is part of a collaboration between Waymo and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The company aims to carefully evaluate airport traffic patterns, ensuring safe and efficient integration of self-driving vehicles into real-world environments.

Although Waymo’s expansion has been gradual due to strict regulations and costly technology, it continues to advance through partnerships with ride-hailing platforms and fleet operators. The company’s move coincides with Tesla’s upcoming rollout of its long-awaited robotaxi network in the U.S. Meanwhile, Waymo plans to launch its fully driverless ride-hailing service in London by 2026, expanding its global footprint.

U.S. Safety Regulators Probe Waymo Robotaxis Over School Bus Incident

/in /tarafından

U.S. auto safety regulators have opened a preliminary investigation into Waymo, Alphabet’s self-driving car unit, after reports that one of its robotaxis failed to stop properly for a school bus in Georgia. The probe, launched by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), covers about 2,000 vehicles equipped with Waymo’s fifth-generation Automated Driving System.

The investigation follows a media report showing a Waymo vehicle maneuvering around a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended while children were disembarking — a clear violation of school bus safety protocols. NHTSA said the vehicle initially stopped before moving around the bus, suggesting a potential software or perception failure.

Regulators noted that given Waymo’s extensive operations — the company’s autonomous cars have logged over 100 million miles and currently drive 2 million miles per week — similar incidents could have occurred previously. The agency emphasized the need to evaluate how Waymo’s technology responds to critical real-world safety cues, particularly around children and pedestrians.

Waymo acknowledged the event, saying it has already implemented software improvements to enhance behavior around school buses and will issue further updates soon. “Driving safely around children has always been one of our highest priorities,” a company spokesperson said, explaining that the vehicle’s sensors may not have initially detected the flashing signals due to its angle of approach.

The company operates a fleet of over 1,500 driverless vehicles in Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Austin. The new probe comes months after NHTSA closed another 14-month investigation into Waymo’s earlier collisions with stationary objects, which led to two vehicle recalls.