TechCrunch Mobility: AV companies pick their lanes

Autonomous vehicle developers are diverging on how to scale as they move from testing toward commercial offerings. Some startups are choosing partnerships with established automakers to expand reach quickly: Wayve, for example, struck a commercial agreement with Mercedes-Benz to deploy its automated driving system in at least one model within two years. That product is categorized as Level 2, meaning it automates certain maneuvers but still requires driver engagement, and follows earlier collaborations Wayve has forged with Nissan and Stellantis.

Other firms are scaling by concentrating fleets and targeting specific markets. Analysis of registration data shows Waymo’s robotaxi rollout is geographically focused: roughly four out of five of its near-4,000 vehicles are registered in California and Texas, with recent rapid growth centered in Texas where the fleet increased by more than 49% over three weeks. Waymo is also experimenting with different rider groups, expanding user profiles to include younger passengers.

Freight-focused companies are taking a different approach, combining regional focus with broad partner networks. Aurora, which is developing autonomous trucks, has emphasized operations in Texas while building partnerships across the industry. Its leadership said the company has moved beyond initial development and is targeting a substantial ramp-up: more than 30,000 driverless trucks by 2030 and over 200 driverless trucks in operation by the end of this year.

Commercialization is not proceeding without operational and safety challenges. Zoox halted its Atlanta test operations after employees reported symptoms they believed were caused by exposure to gases inside the company’s test vehicles; Zoox reported finding only CO2 but the incidents prompted a worker complaint and an Occupational Safety and Health Administration inquiry. Separately, Comma is facing a federal investigation after five crashes tied to its aftermarket hands-off driver-assistance system, two of which resulted in three deaths, highlighting regulatory scrutiny as third-party systems are adopted.

Deal activity and financing continue alongside these operational moves. Car marketplaces and mobility companies across Asia are pursuing IPO paths, with firms like Carro, Spinny and PMI Electro Mobility Solutions filing or considering listings, and several transportation startups announcing funding or strategic hires. The varied strategies — partnerships, geographic concentration, and freight scaling — plus persistent safety questions, indicate the AV sector’s commercial phase will be defined by both business model experiments and regulatory outcomes.