Driverless taxis doing a roaring trade in San Francisco

Driverless taxis doing a roaring trade in San Francisco
Waymo is also operating in Phoenix, Arizona, where mayor Kate Gallego (above) was an early user of the service. (Image: AP)
Bloomberg
By Ed LudlowSan Franciscans are getting used to seeing little electric vehicles zipping around with no one in the driver’s seat.After years of hype and over-promising gave way to disillusionment, access to actual robotaxi services is becoming a reality for thousands.This past week, I’ve been hitching rides with Alphabet's Waymo and General Motors-backed Cruise. Most of my trips were with Waymo, the outfit springing from Google’s self-driving project, while my colleague Emily Chang has logged miles with Cruise (see her impr...

More Technology

Paeroa company switches on ‘world first’ seaweed biorefinery
Primary Sector

Paeroa company switches on ‘world first’ seaweed biorefinery

The tech behind the plant comes from a $1m Endeavour grant to Scion.

Greg Hurrell 17 Oct 2025
Open banking's red tape may stifle lenders' innovation: fintechs
Policy

Open banking's red tape may stifle lenders' innovation: fintechs

Fee-free open banking and levies may deter banks from innovating with new tech.

Andy Macdonald 17 Oct 2025
New open-banking regulations confirm phased Dec 1 start
Finance

New open-banking regulations confirm phased Dec 1 start

Open-banking regulations confirm Dec 1 start for biggest banks, prohibit fees and levies.

Staff reporters 16 Oct 2025
Business of Tech: Brainbox’s approach to AI regulation
Technology The Business of Tech Podcast

Business of Tech: Brainbox’s approach to AI regulation

This week, Peter talks to Brainbox Institute director and co-founder Tom Barraclough.

Peter Griffin 16 Oct 2025