Washington DC Robotaxi Bill: Uber vs Waymo Positions

Uber opposes the D.C. bill under evaluation by the D.C. Council. Waymo has been testing its AVs with human safety operators in Washington, D.C., and has already surpassed the 180-day and 250,000-mile requirements.

A D.C. Council hearing on Monday drew representatives from Lyft, Tesla, Uber, and Waymo, along with dozens of disability rights and accessibility advocates, local business and industry groups, highway safety organizations, government officials, labor unions, and think tanks.

Testing thresholds and fees draw industry pushback

Tesla’s senior policy adviser, India Herdman, echoed concerns about the 180-day, 250,000-mile mandatory testing requirement; the $1 million application fee; the $5 million permit fee; and the $0.15-per-mile tax.

Waymo has been testing its AVs with human safety operators in Washington, D.C., and has already surpassed the 180-day and 250,000-mile requirements.

Broader mobility and funding updates

Uber is cementing its status through a $14.8 billion deal to acquire Germany’s Delivery Hero. Delivery Hero also made a separate agreement to sell its business in 14 markets to New York-based investment firm SSW Partners for $1.6 billion.

Self Inspection, a San Diego-based startup, raised $10 million in a round led by the family office of Sheryl Sandberg. Senra raised $65 million in a Series B round co-led by Lowercarbon and Interlagos. Zepto is seeking a valuation in an initial public offering well below its $7 billion peak, Bloomberg reported.

Zoox issued a software recall after one of its robotaxis got confused by smoke emitting from an emergency fire scene in June. SpaceX abruptly aborted the second attempted launch of its upgraded Starship rocket system on Thursday, just moments after the booster ignited at the company’s complex in South Texas.