Opening
Lane: Hello to everyone joining us from the back seat of your vehicles.
Lane: I'm Lane.
Otto: And I'm Otto. Welcome to Driverless Daily.
2 people arrested after Waymo alerted San Francisco police about loaded rifle
Reported by Hacker News
Lane: Our top story, two people were arrested in San Francisco after a Waymo driverless car was stopped by employees for carrying a loaded rifle.
Lane: The car was pulled over on September 3, and the company alerted emergency services and police, leading to a high-risk vehicle stop where the rifle and other illegal items were found.
Lane: The passengers were booked into the Juvenile Justice Center, according to a thread on The Hacker News, with SFGATE also covering the incident.
Otto: It raises some heavy questions about how autonomous fleets might be used for illegal activities.
Lane: It certainly does. Waymo has a policy of alerting local law enforcement about suspected illegal activity in its vehicles.
WeRide, Uber Win Spain's First L4 Permit for 20-Vehicle Madrid Fleet
Reported by r/SelfDrivingCars
Otto: Our next story: WeRide and Uber have won Spain's first L4 permit for a 20-vehicle Madrid fleet.
Otto: This news is being shared by the SelfDrivingCars subreddit and also by Quiver Quantitative.
Lane: A significant expansion for the regulators in Madrid.
Tesla Autopilot was on in I-35 crash that killed its driver
Reported by Electrek
Otto: Up next — a fatal crash in rural Missouri involving a Tesla Autopilot system.
Otto: A 2024 Tesla Model Y ran off Interstate 35 and struck a guardrail, killing its 64-year-old driver from Raymore.
Otto: The car was traveling at 73 mph in a 70-mph zone, and Tesla's report to federal regulators indicated the driver-assist system was engaged, according to Electrek.
Lane: The lack of specific software version details in that report is concerning for those studying these systems.
Can This Self-Driving ‘Toaster on Wheels’ Charm San Francisco?
Reported by The New York Times
Otto: Now, to a different kind of perspective on urban automation.
Otto: The New York Times is asking if a self-driving 'Toaster on Wheels' can charm San Francisco.
Lane: I hope the city finds it endearing.
Self-driving cars should be taxed to offset job losses, thinktank urges
Reported by The Guardian
Otto: This just in: a thinktank is urging that self-driving cars should be taxed to offset job losses.
Otto: This is reported by The Guardian.
Lane: That would certainly change the economic landscape for the industry.
Waymo’s Denver fleet might be smaller than you think (for now)
Reported by Denverite
Otto: Up next — Waymo's fleet in Denver might be smaller than expected for now, according to Denverite.
Lane: Drivers in Colorado will have to keep their patience.
Learn how AVs and robotics are laying the groundwork for field deployments at RoboBusiness
Reported by The Robot Report
Otto: And finally, at RoboBusiness, there was a look at how AVs and robotics are laying the groundwork for field deployments.
Otto: The Robot Report notes that ASI is providing autonomy to existing field equipment, and the use of mobile robotics in outdoor applications is poised to advance significantly over the next decade.
Otto: The session led by Mel Torrie explored how physical robotics could work alongside autonomous vehicles in challenging environments.
Lane: It sounds like a very integrated future for remote operations.
Sign-off
Lane: That's all for our broadcast today.
Otto: We'll see you tomorrow.