[250218] #Rivian #Waymo #Kodiak

1. Rivian to launch hands-free driving system in 2025

• Rivian plans to launch its advanced hands-free driver assistance system in 2025 and its “eyes-off” autonomous system in 2026, according to CEO RJ Scaringe.
• The company’s Gen 2 vehicles currently feature the “Rivian Autonomy Platform,” which assists drivers but still requires full attention.
• Rivian recently secured a $6.6 billion loan from the U.S. Department of Energy to support its new Georgia production facility.
• Rivian does not anticipate major risks to its loan despite Trump’s executive orders targeting the EV industry.
• The announcement comes amid increased regulatory scrutiny of advanced driver assistance systems, with Tesla facing a new NHTSA probe into its remote driving features.
• Automakers continue competing to enhance autonomous driving capabilities, including lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control.
• Trump revoked a 2021 executive order aimed at boosting EV adoption and proposed ending state waivers for zero-emission rules and EV tax credits.

2. Alphabet’s Waymo to test its autonomous driving technology in over 10 new cities

Waymo is expanding autonomous driving tests to over 10 new cities in 2025, backed by successful adaptation, regulatory scrutiny, and a $5.6 billion funding boost.

3. Atlas Energy Begins Driverless Truck Deliveries to Wells

• Atlas Energy Solutions has begun using Kodiak Robotics’ self-driving trucks to transport proppant, marking the first commercial deployment for Kodiak.
• The trucks will operate in the Permian Basin, moving frac sand from the Dune Express conveyor system to Atlas customers.
• Atlas aims to scale its RoboTruck fleet significantly throughout 2025, expanding autonomous trucking operations.
• Kodiak has established an office in Odessa, Texas, to support its growing partnership with Atlas, with plans to expand staff.
• Kodiak’s sixth-generation autonomous trucks are fully driverless, equipped with redundant systems for safety and reliability.
• Artur Express, Kodiak’s largest trucking partner, plans to deploy 100 fully autonomous sleeper trucks starting in the second half of 2025.
• This marks a significant milestone in autonomous trucking commercialization, with Kodiak becoming the first to deploy self-driving trucks in real business operations.

4. Hesai Secures Design Wins for Multiple Chery Models

5. Tesla will launch unsupervised driving in June, Musk says

• Tesla plans to launch an unsupervised robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, in June 2025, with no human driver in the vehicle.
• The robotaxis will be part of a Tesla-owned fleet and available for paid trips, separate from customer-owned vehicles.
• Elon Musk has a history of ambitious self-driving promises, but he now claims this service is just months away.
• Tesla reports over 3 billion miles driven on Full Self-Driving (Supervised) and a 400% increase in AI training compute in 2024.
• Tesla recently showcased Model 3 and Model Y vehicles driving without human intervention on private factory roads.
• Unlike competitors, Tesla relies solely on cameras for its self-driving perception system, not using LiDAR as a redundant sensor.
• Tesla has been testing a robotaxi service with employees in the Bay Area but still lacks commercial licensing in California.
• Musk is confident about expanding unsupervised FSD across the U.S. later in 2025, pending regulatory approval.
• The company aims to launch the Cybercab, its dedicated robotaxi, in 2026 as part of its long-term autonomous ridehailing vision.