February
Volkswagen bids to dominate self-driving cars in fight for survival
The German carmaker plans to launch driverless taxis in Europe next year, after a Los Angeles launch with Uber.
January
NRF invests $30m in Melbourne autonomous vehicle manufacturer
Applied EV will use the funding, including from Barrenjoey and Japan Post Capital, to scale up its production for the logistics and mining industries.
It’s time for a reality check about the safety of self-driving cars
As Waymo accelerates plans to launch its for-hire autonomous vehicles in Australia, we still do not know if robotaxis are safer than human drivers.
Google accelerates Waymo robotaxi Sydney launch plans
The Alphabet-owned software company met with the NSW government earlier this month but is still yet to lodge a formal application to launch driverless testing.
November 2025
Waymo was on a roll. Then one of its driverless cars killed a cat
The self-driving taxis have become ubiquitous in San Francisco, but an uproar has ensued after one of the vehicles ran over a beloved feline.
July 2025
Inside the race to bring fleets of robotaxis to the world
The concept has been proved, but companies from Tesla to Uber, Google and Amazon are taking different routes to a profitable business.
June 2025
Musk’s new robotaxis hit the streets in critical Tesla test
The Texas rollout has been highly anticipated by investors, who are counting on the new line to revive a company battered by poor sales and a consumer backlash.
Why it’s so hard to make a reliable self-driving car
The promised rollout of fully autonomous vehicles remains largely unfulfilled, with every advance seemingly matched by a serious setback.
Waymo’s robot driver was too scared to take us where we wanted to go
The self-driving taxis are an experience to remember but their post LA-riot nerves rendered them unable to use human logic, and left us stranded.
March 2025
Investors hope for U-turn in Baraja fortunes after millions wiped out
Investors in former star tech start-up Baraja are waiting to see if a change of product direction can revive the tech company, before considering a sale of its assets
October 2024
Ride-sharing robopods are the future of cities
Self-driving, on-demand cars could change the way we move around cities and dramatically increase throughput of congested streets.
Why Elon Musk’s robotaxis will have to share the road – or disappear
The day after Tesla revealed its driverless Cybercab, the company’s stock dropped 9 per cent. Seismic shifts in transportation happen slowly.
Are you ready for a driverless taxi?
No steering wheel, no brake, no accelerator, no door handles: Musk says Tesla’s Cybercab will be in production before 2027 – and to cost less than $US30,000.
September 2024
Why is Australia stuck in the slow lane on driverless cars?
Australian regulations put a far higher bar on robot drivers than human ones. That makes little sense when it’s likely that the tech is already safer.
July 2024
No great leap to self-driving cars, just small steps
The head of Mercedes-Benz’s automation program admits self-driving is lagging, but says the tech is already bringing big gains in safety.
June 2024
‘Grandkids won’t learn to drive’: New driverless car push in Australia
Despite the spinning sensors and eerily self-turning steering wheel, self-driving vehicles quickly felt normal in our testing on the streets of San Francisco.
May 2024
How your electric car is watching your every move
Electric vehicle makers are among the worst offenders when it comes to protecting the personal data of their customers, and Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind is worried about it.
April 2024
Elon Musk’s robotaxi dreams plunge Tesla into chaos
Plans for a self-driving taxi are being prioritised over a cheaper Tesla that investors prefer, company insiders say.
January 2024
Why Kia spends $100m on the tennis
The Australian Open is a hotbed of branding and marketing during January as companies look to use it to kick off their year on top.
September 2023
Self-driving cars are a Silicon Valley fantasy that won’t work
Investors’ and politicians’ time would be better spent solving motorists’ real problems.
