TechCrunch Mobility: How do you ticket a robotaxi?

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We’re going to dive a little deeper today, which may make this newsletter look a little different than usual. There is a reason!

This bulletin is not regional, but sometimes there are policies at the state level that have far-reaching implications for tech companies and startups. Which brings me to California and the new autonomous vehicle testing and deployment rules released this week by the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.

There are two new sets of rules covering the requirements for – a total of 100 pages long test and placement of AVs. I’ve spent the last few days talking to engineers and policymakers who work at AV companies, and I’ve discovered that they have strong opinions. and few people want to talk about it publicly. But thanks public comment period In relation to these regulations, we have some information about what the industry supports and what it does not support.

The rules include new, more robust requirements for data collection and sharing, training and operations. Here are a few overlooked items and what insiders told me.

How do you ticket a robot taxi? Under these new rules, law enforcement agencies can cite AV companies for traffic violations they commit with their vehicles. The rule, called the “Notification of Autonomous Vehicle Noncompliance,” requires a manufacturer (meaning a robotaxi company) to notify the DMV of a violation within 72 hours of receiving a violation from law enforcement.

I have heard a number of interpretations of this rule and how it should be implemented, but it appears that there is no monetary penalty for these violations. Instead, these violations are another piece of information that the DMV can use to identify problems and take action if necessary.

Insiders told me that information is actionable and more important than a monetary fine. My question: Why not both?

Good news for the industry: The DMV will now allow heavy-duty trucks equipped with autonomous vehicle technology to be tested and eventually placed on public roads. Self-driving truck companies are happy with this result. Daniel Goffvice president for foreign affairs Kodiaktold me that the company is already working on the documents required to apply for the permit.

Cargo for industry: In every conversation I had with someone in the AV industry, the word that came up was “hard.” And it has always been used in response to new data collection and sharing rules.

Farewell, parting reports; hi, glitches: Others were glad the annual disconnection reports were gone. Dismissal reports detailing cases where human drivers had to take over due to technological glitches or safety concerns have been controversial because companies use different standards. This made it impossible to compare results or assess the competence of autonomous vehicle technology.

This entire section has been deleted and replaced with a requirement to report a “system malfunction relevant to the performance of a dynamic driving task”. It may seem like semantics – trading one slang expression for another. Insiders tell me that while it’s not a perfect metric, it’s clearer than its predecessor. That doesn’t mean he’s loved either.

There’s more in those documents, including a requirement to submit annual updates to first responder communication plans, access to manual vehicle override systems, two-way communication links with a 30-second response time, and updated training requirements to ensure safe and timely interactions with first responders.

My question to you, reader, are these regulations going too far, or are they appropriate and providing the kind of reporting and data collection necessary to hold these companies accountable? Sign up for the Mobility newsletter to vote in our polls!

A little bird

We’ve had a lot of little birds talking to us about the new California AV rules, so nothing new to add here. But remember, you can always send us tips. Here’s how.

Do you have a tip for us? Email Kirsten Korosec kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com or Email My Alert at kkorosec.07 or Sean O’Kane sean.okane@techcrunch.com.

Deals!

BMW and Ventures launched a new one 300 million dollar fund with a timely thesis: AI will reshape how the automotive industry works. The fund will invest in Series B startups in North America and Europe working on agent AI and physical AI, as well as industrial software, advanced materials, manufacturing and supply chain technologies. This third fund brings the firm’s total capital under management to $1.1 billion.

Other deals that caught my eye…

SereactGerman robotics startup, collected 110 million dollars in a Series B funding round led by VC Headline. Other investors include Bullhound Capital, Felix Capital, Daphni, Air Street Capital, Creandum and Point Nine.

Spirit Airlines is set to close after failing to secure a $500 million lifeline from the government, This was reported by WSJ. The company is expected to shut down around 03:00 on Saturday.

Notable readings and other information

China New licenses for autonomous vehicles have been halted after dozens of Baidu’s Apollo Go robot taxis stopped suddenly last month. Bloomberg reported on this.

Google‘s Gemini AI assistant is on its way millions of cars.

Faraday Future paid around 7.5 million dollars 2025 to a company run by founder Jia Yueting, senior reporter Sean O’Kane revealed in a recent SEC filing.

Rivian It reported earnings this week, and for us — and for many — it was a highlight DOE loan reduction From $6.6 billion to $4.5 billion. The loan restructuring comes with changes at its Georgia factory. Instead of two 200,000-car capacity structures in Georgia, Rivian will now build a 300,000-car capacity factory, leaving the adjacent pad intact and ready for future development. Analysts did not consider this necessarily negative, but considered it as legitimization. Barclaysfor example, according to a research note published on Friday, sees the modification as Rivia’s adaptation to the current EV environment. Barclays also said it does not believe Rivia plans to build a second plant in Georgia, “at least not until the early/mid next decade.”

Tesla launched a Semi-Filling for Business software that includes a new product called Basecharger designed for storage and overnight use.

Uber touched Hertz for clean, fill and straighten his Lucid Motors robotaxis. This announcement left us with a question: How many companies does it take to launch a Robotaxi service?

Uber Customers in the US can now Book a hotel directly through the appone of several new features announced this week that goes far beyond the company’s original purpose of travel and touches the lives of its users even more deeply. Initially, Uber customers will have access to more than 700,000 hotels worldwide through a partnership with Expedia Group, the travel company led by Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi for 12 years.

Get a loanremote driving technology startup said it is increasing its fleet 175 cars on the road and passed 60,000 attractions.