Google’s self-driving cars are crossing the Atlantic. According to reports from the Guardian, transport officials in London are in “active discussions” with the Silicon Valley firm to make the British capital one of the trial cities for its autonomous technology. If it happens, London would become the first non-U.S. city (and one of the few, period) to play host to these self-driving cars. And if Google really is planning on world domination, then hopping over the pond seems like a logical move anyway.
The self-driving cars project, which first began back in 2009, has made considerable strides and the vehicles have been tested thus far in the streets of Mountain View, California, Austin, Texas, and soon, Kirkland, Washington. “It’s going to have to work in big cities, so why don’t we start trialling it now?” asked Isabel Dedring, the U.K.’s deputy mayor for transport. “Google have said they are focused on the US, but they’re starting to think about going elsewhere, so we’re in active discussions.”
Ford and VW close down Argo AI autonomous car unit
Autonomous-car specialist Argo AI is closing down after Ford and Volkswagen, Argo's main backers, ended support for the Pittsburgh-based company.
First reported by TechCrunch and later confirmed by the two auto giants, some of the 2,000 workers at Argo will transfer to Ford and Volkswagen, while others without an offer will receive a severance package. Argo’s technology is also set to end up in the possession of the two companies, though at this stage it’s not clear how it might be shared.
Cruise’s autonomous cars are heading to Texas and Arizona before the end of this year.
The General Motors-owned company plans to launch ridesharing pilots in Austin and Phoenix in what will be its first expansion of the service outside of San Francisco.
Ex-Apple employee pleads guilty to nabbing Apple Car secrets
A former Apple employee on Monday pled guilty to the theft of trade secrets from the tech firm.
The material stolen by Xiaolang Zhang was linked to Apple’s work on its first-ever automobile, a project that’s been in and out of the headlines for years though never officially confirmed by the company.
