Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility, your go-to hub for the latest news and insights on the future of transportation. As the autonomous vehicle industry continues to evolve, tensions are rising between major players like Uber and Waymo.
Just as I returned from vacation, news broke that the Uber-Waymo partnership in Phoenix had come to an end. This development serves as a precursor to the eventual demise of their agreements in Atlanta and Austin. The question on everyone’s mind is not ‘if,’ but ‘when’ these partnerships will cease to exist.
The impending end of these agreements has set the stage for a battle between Uber and Waymo, with each company vying for control in the robotaxi market. As the partnership draws to a close, expect thinly veiled barbs to be replaced with more direct action. One key battleground will be policy, specifically markets where robotaxi companies are angling to gain access.
A New Directive from NHTSA
This week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) administrator, Jonathan Morrison, issued a directive to autonomous vehicle developers. Morrison made it clear that it is unacceptable for autonomous vehicles to interfere with first responders or law enforcement. The directive emphasizes that the inability to detect and respond to such situations represents a functional insufficiency.
The letter was sent to every AV developer listed in the Department of Transportation’s Standing General Order, but it appears to be specifically targeting Waymo. The reason behind this is rooted in the fact that Waymo operates the largest robotaxi fleet in the United States, with vehicles in cities such as Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco.
A previous TechCrunch investigation found that Waymo has had repeated run-ins with first responders. This week, San Francisco supervisor Bilal Mahmood announced plans to submit a letter of inquiry to examine how autonomous vehicles affected public transit services and emergency responders following a July 4 fireworks show that resulted in massive gridlock. Local news outlets reported that numerous Waymo robotaxis had to be towed after running out of power during the lengthy traffic jam.
The Impact of NHTSA’s Directive
Morrison’s letter has significant implications for the autonomous vehicle industry. The directive has sparked concern among developers, with many wondering if there will be substantive consequences for failing to meet the agency’s demands. The NHTSA has called upon companies to present the agency with ‘solutions’ by the end of the month.
One of the proposed solutions could be the implementation of new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) requirements. These proposed changes could benefit autonomous vehicle companies like Tesla and Zoox, which are developing vehicles without steering wheels, pedals, or other features required on human-driven cars.
Rivian Raises $1.32 Billion in New Capital
Rivian, the electric vehicle maker, has announced plans to raise $1.32 billion in new capital. The company expects to deliver between 65,000 and 70,000 vehicles in 2026, following robust growth in the second quarter. Rivian’s new R2 SUV has been well-received, and the company has outperformed its own expectations.
The company didn’t explain the reason behind the raise, but it’s likely that Rivian is looking to scale up production of the R2. As a reminder, Rivian is not yet profitable, and scaling up production can be costly.
Other notable deals this week include Bidbus, a Los Angeles-based startup that raised $15 million in a Series A funding round led by Ibex Investors. Lyt said it plans to acquire Serveo’s bike-share business in Spain, while TaiSan, a U.K. battery startup, raised £4.65 million in a seed funding round co-led by Eos Advisory and the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II.
