Author: Maya Rios

Mercedes-Benz said on Monday it will introduce an advanced driver-assistance system in the United States later this year that allows vehicles to operate autonomously on city streets under driver supervision, expanding its software capabilities beyond highway driving. The system, branded MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO, enables a vehicle to drive from a parking area to a destination, navigating city intersections, making turns and responding to traffic lights. The move positions Mercedes-Benz as a direct competitor to Tesla, which currently offers the only comparable system for urban driving in the U.S. through its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. See also: Mercedes-Benz Partners With Athos…

Boston-based startup Teradar made its first public showing at Consumer Electronics Show 2026 this week, presenting a flagship terahertz-based automotive sensor as it seeks to enter a market undergoing rapid technological and commercial change. The company, which emerged from stealth two months ago following a $150 million fundraising round, introduced its Summit sensor, describing it as a long-range, high-resolution system designed to operate in all weather conditions. Teradar is positioning the technology as a potential alternative to conventional radar and lidar sensors, which automakers have increasingly scrutinized over cost, performance and reliability concerns. See also: Kodiak AI Partners With Bosch…

Chinese lidar maker Hesai Technology has entered into a strategic partnership with Keeta Drone, the autonomous delivery arm of Meituan, to supply solid-state lidar sensors for next-generation urban delivery drones, the companies said. Under the agreement, Hesai will provide its second-generation FTX solid-state lidar for use in Keeta Drone’s future delivery platforms. The collaboration aims to support the expansion of low-altitude logistics networks by improving navigation accuracy, safety and reliability in dense urban environments. See also: Hesai Reaches 2 Million Lidar Deliveries, Secures Design Wins for 120-Plus Vehicle Models Keeta Drone operates autonomous delivery services across multiple Chinese cities, including…

Israeli autonomous driving software company Imagry has partnered with Toyota Tsusho Corp. to pilot a Level 4 autonomous bus system in Japan, aiming to address the country’s growing shortage of professional drivers and assess the commercial viability of self-driving public transport. The initiative will test an integrated autonomous bus solution on public roads, combining Imagry’s artificial intelligence software with Toyota Tsusho’s vehicle integration and logistics expertise. The companies said the pilot will evaluate the feasibility of deploying autonomous public transportation at scale using a standardized, production-ready platform. The project centers on a 6.9-meter electric midi-bus configured for autonomous operation. The…

Baidu will partner with U.S. ride-hailing companies Uber Technologies and Lyft to begin testing autonomous taxis in the UK, as global competition intensifies in the commercial rollout of self-driving vehicles. Uber said on Monday it will work with Baidu’s autonomous driving unit Apollo Go to launch a pilot robotaxi programme in London, with on-road testing expected to start in the first half of 2026. The announcement marks the first confirmed UK trial involving Baidu’s self-driving fleet. “We’re excited to accelerate Britain’s leadership in the future of mobility, bringing another safe and reliable travel option to Londoners next year,” Uber said…

German autonomous vehicle developer Holon, a subsidiary of automotive supplier BENTELER Group, has selected PTC’s Windchill+ software-as-a-service product lifecycle management platform to support the development of its Level-4 autonomous electric vehicle, the companies said. The cloud-based PLM system is being used to manage the development of the Holon Urban, an autonomous, fully electric mover designed for public and shared mobility applications. Holon said the transition from manual and paper-based workflows to a digital environment is intended to help the vehicle meet stringent automotive industry standards and support a five-year timeline toward scalable production. See also: Holon Secures Nationwide Testing Approval…

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released the fourth and final volume of its multi-year research project examining how federal vehicle safety rules apply to cars equipped with automated driving systems, as regulators weigh updates to accommodate new vehicle designs. The project, titled “FMVSS Considerations for Vehicles with Automated Driving Systems,” reviewed all 81 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) to assess whether rules originally written for human-driven vehicles could hinder the deployment of automated vehicles (AVs). The final volume completes work that began in 2017 and focuses on the remaining 23 standards. NHTSA said the research…