This week's lead
Japan's Autonomous Driving Is at a Crossroads
Ken Maeda | Substack · Oct 16, 2026
The world chose the data flywheel. Japan is betting on infrastructure.
Read at Ken Maeda | Substack ↗From the editor
"Autonomous driving is not a product you finish. It is a loop. You deploy cars. The cars meet the world and collect the strange cases no engineer imagined. Deployment, data, improvement, more deployment. Whoever spins this flywheel first compounds" Japan's infrastructure bet is the one serious attempt to win without spinning it.
Also this week3 stories
TechCrunch · Oct 15, 2026
Volvo makes a bigger bet on Nvidia for hands-free automated driving
Volvo is leveling up its automated driving system through an expansion of its nearly decade-long partnership with Nvidia that will extend beyond its battery electric vehicles.
Read at TechCrunch ↗
Automotive World · Oct 8, 2026
Xpeng robotaxi named Xpeng Yoyo as public sign-ups open | Automotive World
The Xpeng robotaxi model leaves fleets to partners, betting the money in autonomy lies in selling the technology
Read at Automotive World ↗
FreightWaves · Oct 14, 2026
Waabi signs Warrior Logistics for Dallas-Houston freight
Warrior Logistics is moving routine customer freight on Waabi autonomous trucks between Dallas and Houston with 100% on-time pickup and delivery
Read at FreightWaves ↗Watch2 videos · plays here
2:04KSAT 12 · Oct 15, 2026
Are driverless cars ‘Waymo’ or way less expensive? KSAT compares rideshare options
With Waymo back in service in San Antonio, KSAT set out to answer a practical question: Can a car without a driver save you money?
Play video
19:03Mobileye · Oct 6, 2026
From Technology to Mobility: Mobileye’s AV Vision
Johann Jungwirth, EVP of Autonomous Vehicles at Mobileye, took the stage at The Autonomous Main Event to discuss what it takes to scale autonomous mobility.
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