Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Photo: Xisco Navarro/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesWaymo, which pointedly to describe its technology this year, has released a intended to prove that its robot drivers are safer than humans.Why it matters: With about 40,000 Americans dying in vehicle accidents every year, AV operators are trying to convince consumers and regulators that autonomous vehicles would make the roads safer.What's happening: Waymo, which operates a limited driverless taxi service near Phoenix, reconstructed 72 fatal accidents that occurred over the past decade...…Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Photo: Xisco Navarro/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesWaymo, which pointedly to describe its technology this year, has released a intended to prove that its robot drivers are safer than humans.Why it matters: With about 40,000 Americans dying in vehicle accidents every year, AV operators are trying to convince consumers and regulators that autonomous vehicles would make the roads safer.What's happening: Waymo, which operates a limited driverless taxi service near Phoenix, reconstructed 72 fatal accidents that occurred over the past decade...WW…

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/AxiosPassenger rail could be the big winner if Congress moves ahead with President Biden's ambitious infrastructure plan. Why it matters: There's long been bipartisan support for rebuilding America's crumbling infrastructure, but under Biden, the focus has shifted to sustainable projects that fulfill both his climate and equity goals, such as rail transit.Driving the news: Right now, the Biden administration is trying to get his $1.9 trillion COVID stimulus package through Congress (including $30.5 billion in emergency funding for public transit). But soon the...…Illustration: Sarah Grillo/AxiosPassenger rail could be the big winner if Congress moves ahead with President Biden's ambitious infrastructure plan. Why it matters: There's long been bipartisan support for rebuilding America's crumbling infrastructure, but under Biden, the focus has shifted to sustainable projects that fulfill both his climate and equity goals, such as rail transit.Driving the news: Right now, the Biden administration is trying to get his $1.9 trillion COVID stimulus package through Congress (including $30.5 billion in emergency funding for public transit). But soon the...WW…

Illustration: Aïda Amer/AxiosA global chip shortage has forced virtually every major automaker to halt some car production and furlough workers — just as the industry was showing signs of recovery from the pandemic-related shutdowns last spring.Why it matters: Fewer chips, fewer cars. Semiconductors are crucial components that make computer-controlled systems in cars work — everything from engines to power windows, as well as driver-assistance and navigation features.What's going on: Automakers needed fewer chips when the pandemic forced them to halt production. Chipmakers curbed production...…Illustration: Aïda Amer/AxiosA global chip shortage has forced virtually every major automaker to halt some car production and furlough workers — just as the industry was showing signs of recovery from the pandemic-related shutdowns last spring.Why it matters: Fewer chips, fewer cars. Semiconductors are crucial components that make computer-controlled systems in cars work — everything from engines to power windows, as well as driver-assistance and navigation features.What's going on: Automakers needed fewer chips when the pandemic forced them to halt production. Chipmakers curbed production...WW…

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/AxiosThe electric vehicle revolution is underway, led by the un-sexiest of plug-in models: the commercial truck. Why it matters: Growing demand for cleaner trucks means 2021 will be a pivotal year for electric vehicles — just not the kind you might have expected.Driving the news: With transportation now the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions, governments and corporations are embracing new sustainability goals.The impact of the pandemic is adding to the urgency: E-commerce has exploded while people have been staying home, putting more polluting trucks on...…Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/AxiosThe electric vehicle revolution is underway, led by the un-sexiest of plug-in models: the commercial truck. Why it matters: Growing demand for cleaner trucks means 2021 will be a pivotal year for electric vehicles — just not the kind you might have expected.Driving the news: With transportation now the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions, governments and corporations are embracing new sustainability goals.The impact of the pandemic is adding to the urgency: E-commerce has exploded while people have been staying home, putting more polluting trucks on...WW…

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/AxiosAfter two years of tightly controlled operation in Chandler, Ariz., Waymo is opening up its driverless taxi service to the public.Why it matters: This is a big deal — a real driverless taxi service, with no one in the driver's seat — that is open to anyone who downloads the Waymo One app.The catch: You can only ride within a 50-mile radius of Chandler, a suburb southeast of Phoenix, and existing customers get first dibs.One note about hygiene: Driverless taxis will be cleaned frequently by Waymo's service partner, AutoNation, and will be equipped with...…Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/AxiosAfter two years of tightly controlled operation in Chandler, Ariz., Waymo is opening up its driverless taxi service to the public.Why it matters: This is a big deal — a real driverless taxi service, with no one in the driver's seat — that is open to anyone who downloads the Waymo One app.The catch: You can only ride within a 50-mile radius of Chandler, a suburb southeast of Phoenix, and existing customers get first dibs.One note about hygiene: Driverless taxis will be cleaned frequently by Waymo's service partner, AutoNation, and will be equipped with...WW…

Photo illustration courtesy of NvidiaMercedes Benz is teaming up with Nvidia to create a perpetually upgradable computing platform for vehicles that will allow cars to add automated driving functions over time, becoming smarter and more valuable the longer they are on the road. Why it matters: Self-driving technology won't arrive in a snap. Instead, it will roll out gradually through periodic software updates, similar to the way people refresh their smartphones. It's a fundamental shift in thinking that will extend the life of cars, and allow even used-car buyers to get the latest...…Photo illustration courtesy of NvidiaMercedes Benz is teaming up with Nvidia to create a perpetually upgradable computing platform for vehicles that will allow cars to add automated driving functions over time, becoming smarter and more valuable the longer they are on the road. Why it matters: Self-driving technology won't arrive in a snap. Instead, it will roll out gradually through periodic software updates, similar to the way people refresh their smartphones. It's a fundamental shift in thinking that will extend the life of cars, and allow even used-car buyers to get the latest...WW…