Autonomous Vehicles News 3 February 2026

Waymo and Tesla tell Congress: Act now on self-driving cars — or China sets the rules

Waymo and Tesla tell Congress: Act now on self-driving cars — or China sets the rules

Waymo and Tesla executives, joined by U.S. senators, are pressing Congress to pass stalled self-driving car legislation, warning that delays could let China set global standards. The Senate Commerce Committee will hold a hearing Wednesday as federal safety investigations and recent incidents raise concerns. Waymo reports 200 million autonomous miles and lower crash rates; Tesla cites improved safety data from its Full Self-Driving system.
February 4, 2026
Waymo’s $16 Billion Cash Haul Pushes Valuation to $126 Billion — Here’s What Changes Now

Waymo’s $16 Billion Cash Haul Pushes Valuation to $126 Billion — Here’s What Changes Now

Waymo raised $16 billion in new funding, lifting its valuation to $126 billion. Dragoneer, DST Global, and Sequoia led the round, with Alphabet staying as majority owner. Waymo says it logged 15 million trips in 2025 and now operates over 400,000 weekly rides across six U.S. metro areas. The company plans to expand its robotaxi fleet into at least 20 more cities in 2026.
February 3, 2026