Waymo finds a way around US regulations targeting Chinese cars

This week is the president The outgoing administration of President Joe Biden has finalized a rule that effectively bans all Chinese and Russian-linked auto technology from U.S. roads. rise in trade Cheap EV made in China.
The U.S. Department of Commerce claimed that this rule was originally proposed in septembernecessary to protect American vehicles from foreign enemies and interference. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said last year, “Imagine that there are thousands or even hundreds of thousands of vehicles on American roads with connections to China that could be quickly and simultaneously disabled by someone in Beijing.” I want you to try it.” Bans on Chinese and Russian software will begin in 2027, and hardware restrictions will continue in 2029.
On paper, it might sound like a disaster waymo. Self-driving technology developer Alphabet announced in 2021 that automaker Zeekr, whose brand is majority owned by Chinese auto giant Geely, will develop next-generation robotaxis.
In fact, pre-production models have already been tested on the roads of San Francisco and Phoenix, and Zeekr officials told reporters earlier this month that deliveries of the production vehicle, called the Zeekr RT, are scheduled to begin later this year. .
Despite the new rules, Waymo is confident this partnership will not be affected and will proceed as planned.
“We do not expect the final rule to impact use of the Zeekr platform,” Waymo spokesperson Ethan Teicher said in an email to WIRED.
In comments filed with the Commerce Department last year, Waymo argued that its vehicles should not be subject to the new rules because all the connected technology onboard is owned and equipped by the United States. .
The vehicles Waymo receives from Geely are “base vehicles” that have been stripped of telematics systems and other technology that allows the vehicle to communicate with and send data back to the manufacturer. Only “authorized personnel” will be able to install Waymo’s self-driving technology on cars delivered to the United States.
The Department of Commerce did not respond to WIRED’s questions about the Waymo and Zeekr partnership.
Waymo now operates its self-driving ride-hailing service using an improved system. jaguar i pace Electric cars are operating in the metros of Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Atlanta and Austin are expected to join later this year.
The company too Signed a contract with Hyundai use the modified one ionic 5s The company plans to launch a ride-hailing service later this year.
Waymo remains confident, but new vehicle More legroom, higher ceilings and lower steps could potentially accommodate more passengers, thus avoiding a ban, but whether these vehicles will be subject to regulation? is still unknown. China’s new 100% tariff on electric carswhich the Biden administration finalized last fall.
“We are closely monitoring tariffs, but Waymo’s plans are on track,” Teicher asserted.