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September 6
Google Maps letting you specify EV, hybrid, and other engine types for more fuel-efficient directions
Google Maps can now provide the “most fuel-efficient route” possible if you specify your car’s engine type, while eco-friendly routing is coming to all of Europe.
August 30
Susan Wojcicki held talks about Tesla COO job before becoming YouTube CEO
Susan Wojcicki became the CEO of YouTube in 2014 but held talks about a job as Tesla’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Elon Musk’s second-in-command before that.
August 9
Waymo AVs can play a melody instead of honking to help you find your ride
Waymo One is Alphabet’s autonomous ride-hailing service, and work to upgrade the passenger experience is happening hand-in-hand with expanding availability. The latest Waymo autonomous vehicle (AV) improvements focus on the pickup experience and include a new melody.
December 28, 2021
Future autonomous Waymo EV will be custom built for ride-hailing with no steering wheel
Waymo One is Alphabet’s Lyft/Uber competitor that’s live in Phoenix and currently undergoing testing in San Francisco. Waymo today announced a future EV for its US ride-hailing service that will be “rider-first” and have no steering wheel.
October 7, 2021
Google, YouTube will stop showing ads on content that denies climate change
Earlier this week, Google announced a series of features across several products aimed at letting you make more sustainable choices. The company is now following that by prohibiting ads or monetization of content that denies climate change.
October 6, 2021
‘Nest Renew’ lets Google thermostats use more clean energy as ‘Premium’ tier unlocks renewable energy credits
As part of a company-wide effort to let users make “more sustainable choices,” Google is introducing “Nest Renew.” This service lets Nest Thermostat owners prioritize clean energy when heating and cooling.
May 25, 2021
First all-electric Google Street View car is a Jaguar I-Pace with air quality sensors for Dublin
For the past few years, Google has equipped its mapping vehicles with air pollution sensors. Google worked with Jaguar Land Rover on the first all-electric Street View car that will be tasked with measuring air quality in Dublin, Ireland.
January 27, 2021
Google Maps on Android Automotive gets better at planning EV charging stops
The two cars that Android Automotive currently powers are both electric. Ahead of Google’s dashboard experience coming to more vehicles, the built-in Google Maps app is improving how you find EV charging stations.
January 20, 2021
Ex-Uber self-driving head convicted of stealing Google trade secrets pardoned by Trump
Ahead of his term ending, President Trump late this evening issued 143 clemencies. One of the pardons was for Anthony Levandowski, who was convicted of stealing Google’s self-driving technology before departing for Uber.
January 17, 2019
Largest ever solar farms for Google data centers to be built in Alabama and Tennessee
Google announced this morning that some of the largest-ever solar panel projects in both Alabama and Tennessee are underway, and they’re being built to power Google data centers in each state.
May 31, 2018
After ordering thousands of Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans in January, Waymo is drastically expanding its self-driving fleet with an 62,000 more vehicles. It comes ahead of the Alphabet division’s first ride service this year, while the company is also in discussions to allow others to sell cars that feature its autonomous technology.
November 7, 2017
Following eight years of development and an ongoing public awareness campaign, Waymo’s self-driving cars are now transporting passengers without a human behind the wheel. Beginning mid-October, these fully autonomous rides will expand to the public as part of a ride-hailing service in the coming months.
October 12, 2017
Waymo’s lawsuit against Uber this February was surprising given Google and Alphabet’s usual hesitancy towards suing. However, Waymo found Uber’s alleged actions a particularly large affront. Reuters has now discovered what Waymo demanded from Uber in settlement talks to stop the case from heading to trial.
May 30, 2017
Anthony Levandowski, the ex-Googler at the center of Waymo and Uber’s legal battle, has been fired. His termination comes after a continued refusal to cooperate in proceedings over whether the ride-sharing company stole Alphabet’s self-driving technology and a scathing New Yorker piece this morning.
February 23, 2017
Alphabet’s Waymo subsidiary has filed a lawsuit against Uber over the theft and replication of a key self-driving component. Former employees working on Google’s self-driving project allegedly stole information before leaving for a start-up that was purchased by Uber.
