Robotaxi Race: Waymo, Apollo Go, Zoox, Pony and WeRide — 2026-09-12
Pony.ai and Verne launched the first fully driverless commercial rides in Europe via Uber in Zagreb, marking a significant milestone for Chinese AV tech in Western markets. Meanwhile, regulatory pressure intensifies as NHTSA audits Tesla’s Cybercab certification following a federal investigation into its Austin deployment, and a Zoox robotaxi was involved in a rear-end collision in Las Vegas.
Robotaxi Race: Waymo, Apollo Go, Zoox, Pony and WeRide — 2026-09-12
Top developments
Pony.ai and Uber Launch First Fully Driverless Rides in Europe
On September 12, 2026, Pony.ai and its partner Verne launched the first fully driverless passenger rides in Europe through the Uber platform in Zagreb, Croatia. This launch represents the first commercial deployment of Chinese autonomous vehicle technology on Uber’s global network, expanding beyond the previously announced plans to deploy 2,000 robotaxis across five European cities. The move validates the international scalability of Pony.ai’s stack, which has already seen significant growth in China.
NHTSA Audits Tesla Cybercab Certification Amid Emergency Response Failures
Regulators are auditing how Tesla self-certified its driverless Cybercab for road use, a process that mirrors the precedent set by Amazon-owned Zoox in 2022. This scrutiny comes as Austin emergency crews have logged dozens of incidents where robotaxis interfered with emergency response vehicles this year. The audit follows the launch of a formal NHTSA investigation into Tesla’s Cybercab deployment just hours after the first production units hit the roads in Austin on September 4, 2026.
Zoox Robotaxi Rear-Ended in Las Vegas
A driverless Zoox vehicle was struck from behind at the intersection of Decatur Boulevard and Russell Road in Las Vegas on September 7, 2026. The incident occurred just days after Zoox expanded its service area to include Harry Reid International Airport. While no injuries were reported, the collision highlights ongoing safety challenges as Zoox accelerates its expansion in Nevada.
Lyft Integrates Waymo Robotaxis in Nashville
Lyft began offering Waymo robotaxi rides in Nashville, Tennessee, on September 9, 2026. This marks the second U.S. city where Lyft provides access to driverless trips via its app, as it seeks to compete with Uber’s broader integration of autonomous partners. The partnership allows Lyft users to hail Waymo vehicles directly within the existing Lyft interface, leveraging Waymo’s growing fleet without requiring a separate app download.
Local view
The Olive Press (Spain) reports that Spain’s DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) has granted Uber permission to launch robotaxis in Madrid by the end of 2026. This green light positions Spain as a key European market for autonomous mobility, with WeRide and other potential partners expected to supply vehicles for the fleet.
TechCrunch highlights the growing political tension in New York City regarding robotaxis, noting that a retracted report attacking Waymo’s safety record and a novel titled "Autokill" have fueled local opposition. Rep. Kevin Mullin (D-California) has proposed a bill to establish minimum national safety standards for AV operators, citing emergency response failures.
Context & numbers
- Waymo Fleet & Rides: Waymo continues to report more than 500,000 weekly paid rides, with no newer figure published as of September 5, 2026. The company aims for 1 million weekly rides by the end of 2026.
- Tesla Cybercab: The first production Cybercabs were deployed in Austin on September 4, 2026, triggering an immediate NHTSA investigation.
- Pony.ai Expansion: The Zagreb launch is part of a broader plan to deploy over 2,000 robotaxis in Europe, including four additional cities beyond Zagreb.
On the radar
- WeRide Spain License: Chinese media reports indicate WeRide may have secured Spain’s first L4 operation license, though official confirmation from Spanish regulators is pending.
- Tesla 24-Hour Operations: Tesla AI lead Ashok Elluswamy stated that Robotaxi services could achieve 24-hour operations soon, pending v15 technical integration.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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