
Federal regulators are proposing that autonomous vehicles use a distinct blue-green light to signal when the vehicle is operating without human control.
AI-generated summary
The proposal aims to standardize how autonomous vehicles communicate their operational status to other road users.
Federal regulators want driverless cars to shine a distinct blue-green light to signal when humans aren’t driving.

Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe said at TechCrunch Disrupt that the company is advancing autonomous vehicle software development, even at the cost of delaying profitability, to enable radically different vehicle designs beyond its current R2 and R3 SUVs and trucks. He envisions future models like the R4 offering new form factors for personally-owned autonomous vehicles, noting that 95% of U.S. miles are driven in personally-owned vehicles, a trend unlikely to shift significantly even with full autonomy. Rivian is scaling R2 production while advancing driver assistance toward point-to-point navigation by year-end and full autonomy for robotaxi deployment via Uber.

Porsche revealed the Mission S concept car, a sleek mid-engine vehicle signaling a new design direction and future flagship model positioned above the 911. The debut is part of Volkswagen-controlled Porsche's turnaround plan to boost profits through higher-end products and lower sales volume, targeting a 15% operating margin long-term and breakeven at 200,000 units annually. The concept features aggressive styling with new hood vents and a roof scoop, with design elements intended to shape Porsche's future identity.

Automakers could see billions in financial tailwinds after the U.S. lowered fuel economy standards to 34.9 mpg by 2031 and eliminated non-compliance fines, allowing firms to shift investments toward high-margin vehicles.
Aurora Innovation and Kodiak AI received a five-year federal exemption to use cab-mounted warning beacons instead of roadside triangles. Meanwhile, Waymo secured $5 billion in debt financing to support its commercial expansion.

Tesla has renamed its 'Full Self-Driving (Supervised)' system to 'Tesla Assisted Driving' in Europe after German transport officials criticized the original name as misleading. The change aims to secure broader regulatory approval across the European Union.

BMW unveiled the iX4, a coupe-shaped SUV built on its Neue Klasse platform, launching in March 2027 with the 50 xDrive model starting at $66,200 and offering up to 428 miles of range. Positioned as a response to Chinese EV imports, the iX4 features 800V architecture, bidirectional charging, and compatibility with Tesla Superchargers, with a higher-performance M60 xDrive variant to follow later in 2027.