Pony AI, a developer of large-scale commercialization of autonomous driving technology, has partnered with Verne to offer fully driverless Robotaxi test rides with passengers on public roads in Zagreb, marking a European first. The milestone represents a significant step toward fully driverless commercial operations. The test rides take place along a 22-kilometer route linking Verne’s […]

Waymo has sharply increased its lobbying spending as it seeks to persuade US regulators to clear a path for fully autonomous taxi services, intensifying its battle with rival Uber over the future of robotaxis.

The Alphabet-owned company spent more than $1 million between April and June on lobbying the federal government, more than double its outlay a year earlier, according to filings. That put Waymo’s spending close to Uber’s and well ahead of rivals including Amazon’s Zoox and Tesla.

The rise in lobbying comes as Waymo and Uber push competing visions for the future of ride-hailing. Waymo wants a faster route to fully driverless commercial services, while Uber is advocating a staggered rollout in which robotaxis operate alongside human drivers.

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© Alex Kent, Bloomberg