Autonomous

DETROIT— The U.S. government’s auto safety agency is investigating whether last year’s recall of Tesla’s Autopilot driving system did enough to make sure drivers pay attention to the road.

Tesla’s first-quarter net income plummeted 55%, but its stock price surged in after-hours trading April 23 as the company said it would accelerate production of more affordable vehicles.

NEW YORK — Tesla knocked roughly a third off the price of its “Full Self Driving” system — which can’t drive itself  — to $8,000 from $12,000, according to the company website.

The federal government awarded Fort Worth, Texas, $2 million to test weather sensors on autonomous freight truck routes.

Kentucky has legally paved the way for autonomous vehicles on its roadways with the legislators gathering enough support April 12 to override Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto.

Intangles launched a new product designed to help truck drivers find a mechanic while on the road before vehicle issues occur, the predictive maintenance company announced April 11.

British autonomous driving startup Wayve Technologies Ltd. is opening a research center in Vancouver, adding its second location in North America to accelerate its growth.

DETROIT — The driver of a Ford electric SUV involved in a February fatal crash in Texas was using the company's partially automated driving system before the wreck, investigators said.

Cruise is preparing to resume testing its robotaxis with safety drivers in Phoenix, marking an important step in its attempts to resume service after grounding its fleet last year.

When Elon Musk announced late April 5 that he’ll unveil a Tesla Inc. robotaxi in August, it was a clear attempt to arrest a spiral for the once high-flying carmaker.