The autonomous vehicle industry is navigating a pivotal summer, with major moves from Tesla and Waymo, fresh commercial freight pilots, and global AI expansion. From San Francisco to Boston and London to Texas, stakeholders across sectors are accelerating deployment, while also encountering regulatory and market headwinds.
Steves & Sons to Pilot Driverless Freight with Bot Auto in Texas
In the freight sector, San Antonio-based manufacturer Steves & Sons is launching an autonomous trucking pilot in partnership with Bot Auto and logistics provider J.B. Hunt. The program will run driver-out commercial freight routes between Houston and San Antonio, using Bot Auto’s Level 4 autonomous trucks.
The four-month pilot is designed to evaluate real-world performance in a dedicated freight corridor and marks one of the first fully driverless deployments for an industrial shipper. Bot Auto aims to expand operations later this year as part of its broader commercialization strategy.
Rivian Opens London Hub to Accelerate AI and Autonomy Development
Electric vehicle maker Rivian announced the opening of a new technology hub in London, focused on advancing artificial intelligence and autonomous driving. The facility will serve as a global center for AI talent and play a key role in refining Rivian’s Autonomy Platform, which currently enables eyes-on, hands-free highway driving in its second-generation vehicles.
Rivian’s VP of Autonomy & AI, James Philbin, said the London team will support the company’s goal of solving end-to-end autonomy and teased further announcements later this year during an upcoming AI & Autonomy Day.
While Tesla and Waymo continue to shape the public narrative around autonomy, freight and software developments are emerging as vital next frontiers. With rising investment, regulatory scrutiny, and infrastructure alignment in play, the path to full autonomy remains complex, but unmistakably active.
Tesla Prepares Robotaxi Expansion as Investors Eye AI and Autonomy
Tesla is moving forward with its robotaxi ambitions despite posting a 12% year-over-year revenue decline in Q2 2025. During its earnings call, CEO Elon Musk emphasized that the company is in a “transition phase,” pointing to autonomous ride-hailing and AI as long-term growth drivers.
Currently, Tesla operates a supervised robotaxi service in Austin using a small fleet of Model Y vehicles in a limited geofenced area. With around 7,000 miles driven to date and safety drivers still onboard, Tesla is preparing to expand its service to the San Francisco Bay Area as early as next week. Musk reiterated his target to provide autonomous ride-hailing access to 50% of U.S. households by the end of the year, with fully unsupervised capability to follow.
Waymo Gains Ground in Atlanta, Hits Friction in Boston
Waymo continues to scale its driverless ride-hailing service, recently launching operations in Atlanta through Uber in select neighborhoods. But in Boston, the company is facing mounting resistance as it maps the city in preparation for potential deployment.
Boston city councilors and local ride-hailing drivers have pushed back against Waymo’s entry. A proposed ordinance seeks to delay commercial operation until more public input is gathered and a local commission studies the impact on congestion, safety, and job displacement. Despite the opposition, Waymo has continued gathering data across key Boston neighborhoods and highways, including I‑90 and I‑93.
