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The Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) introduced late this week that it plans to streamline the Half 555 exemption course of to make it sooner for automakers that need to deploy self-driving autos constructed with out human controls like a steering wheel or pedals.
The letter despatched to “stakeholders” (which means these firms engaged on AVs) is pretty opaque nonetheless. And producers will nonetheless need to display that autos with out conventional steering wheels, driver-operated brakes, or rearview mirrors present an equal security degree as compliant autos and that the exemption is within the public curiosity.
The principle gist right here is that the NHTSA contends the present Half 555 exemption course of just isn’t nicely fitted to automated driving system-equipped autos and that it’s a prolonged and sophisticated course of. Briefly: The company needs to hurry issues up.
In different federal agency-related information, Trump issued a few government orders associated to drones and fast-tracking supersonic journey.
Facet be aware: I see that my predictions (from final version) that the Trump-Elon Musk fallout would flip into a type of on-again, off-again relationships was right.
Let’s get into the remainder of the information.
A bit of hen
Final week, I shared our scoop about Jony Ive’s LoveFrom agency working alongside Rivian designers and a skunkworks staff that will find yourself spinning out into Additionally, a micromobility startup.
Effectively, just a few extra little birds have popped as much as share a bit extra and to make clear the connection. I realized that the challenge was code-named Inder. Rivian really utilized for a trademark of the identify Inder however later deserted it. Sources additionally shared that whereas the LoveFrom staff introduced its industrial design experience to the trouble — and apparently a cool motor design — it was not concerned in any UI/UX.
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Offers!
JetZero, the Lengthy Seashore, California-based zero-emissions jet plane firm engaged on blended wing airplanes, plans to construct a manufacturing facility in Greensboro, North Carolina. The corporate, which has backing from a wide range of enterprise capital (like Vehicles VC) and from strategic traders like United Airways and Alaska Airways, mentioned it would make investments $4.7 billion over the following decade on the challenge, The Wall Avenue Journal reported. Development on the ability is anticipated to start within the first half of 2026, with first buyer deliveries within the early 2030s, the corporate mentioned.
There is a vital element on this deal: It contains greater than $1.1 billion in state efficiency incentives that will be paid over almost 40 years and are contingent on JetZero creating over 14,000 jobs between 2027 and 2036, Reuters reported.
Different offers price noting …
Mitra Chem, a battery materials startup, raised $15.6 million of a deliberate $50 million funding spherical.
Notable reads and different tidbits
Autonomous autos
Waymo rides price greater than Uber or Lyft — and persons are paying anyway, in accordance with Obi, an app that aggregates real-time pricing and pickup occasions throughout a number of ride-hailing providers. The corporate printed what it’s calling the “first in-depth examination of Waymo’s pricing strategy.” The TL;DR: Waymo’s self-driving automotive rides are constantly costlier than comparative choices from Uber and Lyft — and it doesn’t appear to matter.
Waymo robotaxis grew to become an emblem of the LA protests after imagery exhibiting a number of driverless autos — with anti-ICE graffiti and slashed tires — on hearth. Waymo eliminated its remaining autos from the downtown LA space and plans to pursue legal prosecution of and acquire damages from those that vandalized its robotaxis. The incident raises some essential surveillance questions about how the quite a few cameras and sensors on Waymo autos are used and whether or not it’s offering digital camera footage to authorities to determine protesters. Waymo didn’t reply our questions on that.
June 22 is the massive Tesla robotaxi launch day in Austin, Texas, at the very least in accordance with Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Wayve and Uber introduced plans to launch a totally driverless robotaxi service in London. This isn’t occurring immediately, although, and the timing is notable right here: The U.Okay. authorities not too long ago introduced an accelerated framework for self-driving industrial pilots to roll out in spring 2026, up from late 2027.
Electrical autos, batteries, & charging
Infinite Machine, the New York-based micromobility startup backed by a16z, revealed a seated scooter referred to as Olto that may price $3,495 when it begins transport later this 12 months. The Olto will function 40 miles of vary, pulled from an simply swappable 48V lithium-ion battery.
In-car tech
Throughout Apple‘s WWDC 2025 occasion, a few car-related gadgets have been revealed, together with that the corporate is including widgets and message tapbacks to CarPlay with iOS 26.
