Global Scans · Driverless · Weekly Summary

• [New] The most defining prediction for 2026 constitutes the mainstream weaponization of Agentic AI: autonomous, goal-oriented systems that can plan and execute complex tasks without constant human oversight. icertglobal.com
• [New] A new California law that kicks in 2026 will help authorities to hold driverless car companies responsible for traffic violations. Spectrum News 1 South Texas / El Paso
• [New] Waymo, the robotaxi startup backed by Alphabet (GOOGL), will become the first company to offer driverless rides on U.S. highways, expanding its coverage beyond city streets. Morningstar, Inc.
• [New] By tackling the complexities of highway driving, Waymo is demonstrating the maturity and capabilities of its self-driving technology, which could pave the way for broader acceptance and adoption of autonomous vehicles. Skill Farm
• [New] In 2026, more autonomous ships are likely to enter service. Forbes
• [New] Tesla's AI roadmap, including Cybercab and Optimus robots, aims to unlock $1 trillion in valuation by 2026 through autonomous mobility and industrial automation. Ainvest
• [New] Autonomous vehicles could account for 15% of passenger vehicles sold by 2030, fundamentally changing urban mobility patterns. Futurist Speaker on AI Leadership, Future of Work, Futu
• [New] Between 2025 and 2028, we will see the first cities with fully integrated autonomous transportation networks. #1 Futurist Speaker on AI Leadership, Future of Work, F
• [New] Autonomous trucking could soar into a $600 billion industry by 2035. altLINE
• [New] Caterpillar announced plans to triple its autonomous truck fleet from 690 vehicles to over 2,000 by 2030, driven by projected 50% growth in mining capital expenditures and accelerating adoption in smaller mines and quarries. The AV Market Strategist
• [New] By 2050, the majority of routine consumption will be managed by autonomous AI systems that optimize for individual preferences, health outcomes, sustainability metrics, and budget constraints. #1 Futurist Speaker on AI Leadership, Future of Work, F
• [New] State leaders have embraced the rollout in Denver, which will push the number of Waymo driverless taxis in U.S. cities to more than 2,000. The Denver Post
• [New] Uber plans to launch autonomous taxi rides in San Francisco in 2026 and aims to deploy 20,000 autonomous taxis by 2032. eplaneai
• [New] Volkswagen will license Xpeng's XNGP autonomous driving solution for its China EVs starting in 2026, with Xpeng's Turing AI chips selected for use in VW vehicles. Robotics News AI
• [New] To the year 2026, the predictive digital twins are going to be as good as the autonomous systems that can self-optimization. Smart Software Engineering
• [New] By 2030, AI traffic management systems will become fully autonomous, operating as central nervous systems of smart cities. ADPA Foundation
• [New] In 2026, London is set to become the first city in Europe to allow driverless taxis on to its streets. Law Gazette
• [New] Alphabet's, Google's parent company, self-driving car division, Waymo, has announced plans to launch its autonomous ride-hailing service in London in 2026. Carbon Credits
• The consensus narrative highlights that Uber's substantial capital commitment to autonomous vehicles and changing regulatory environments could strain free cash flow and net margins, especially since AV operations still operate at a loss and timelines for profitability remain uncertain. Webull
• Autonomous vehicles and drones are being tested and implemented by companies such as Amazon, JD.com, and Yandex, offering the potential for faster, more efficient deliveries. Polaris
• Testing begins in 2026 in Guangzhou, signaling a leap forward in autonomous mobility. Tech Startups - Startups and Technology news
• A neuromorphic vision system could reduce autonomous-driving compute energy by ~90% compared to today's stack. Interesting Engineering
• Tesla insiders are preparing for a dramatic new product launch - not driverless cars - that could change everything. MarketBeat.com

Last updated: 16 November 2025