Insights

Analysis of legal developments affecting robots, autonomous systems and physical AI in Texas.

Texas Commercial Driverless Authorization Is Now Enforced

Statute and rules in effect. Law checked through October 18, 2026.

First Responder Plans for Texas Driverless Fleets

Rules in effect since January 1, 2026. Law checked through October 18, 2026.

What the September 2026 Federal AV Strategy Changes

Agency strategy, not binding law. Law checked through October 18, 2026.

FCC Restrictions Reach Foreign-Produced Robotic Devices

Covered List entry in effect. Law checked through October 18, 2026.

FCC Conditional Approvals Require Product-Level Review

Agency approvals for named products. Law checked through October 18, 2026.

The BVLOS Proposal and Existing Drone Approvals

Proposed rule; final rule under White House review. Law checked through October 18, 2026.

FDA Proposes Surgical Robotics Submission Guidance

Draft guidance, not for implementation. Law checked through October 18, 2026.

FDA Updates Medical Device Cybersecurity Guidance

Final guidance; underlying statute in effect. Law checked through October 18, 2026.

The Deere Repair Settlement and Robotics Contracts

Settlement filed; court entry pending. Law checked through October 18, 2026.

The Coast Guard Issues Oversight Instructions for Autonomous Vessels

Internal agency guidance. Law checked through October 18, 2026.

Updated Industrial Robot Standards Need Scope Checks

Voluntary consensus standards; OSHA duties in effect. Law checked through October 18, 2026.

TRAIGA Applies to Physical as Well as Virtual Environments

Statute in effect since January 1, 2026. Law checked through October 18, 2026.

Connected Vehicle Restrictions and Model Year 2027

Final rule in effect; phased compliance. Law checked through October 18, 2026.

The Amended EU AI Act Timeline for Robotics

EU regulation as amended; staged application. Law checked through October 18, 2026.

Reading Autonomous Vehicle Crash Reports Carefully

Agency order in effect. Law checked through October 18, 2026.

Driverless Truck Warning Beacons and the New Exemption

Exemption in effect October 7, 2026 through October 7, 2031. Law checked through October 18, 2026.

Cybercab Certification Questions in NHTSA AQ26002

Open agency inquiry; no findings. Law checked through October 18, 2026.

Benavides and Shared Fault in Driver Assistance Cases

Judgment on appeal. Law checked through October 18, 2026.

Federal Site Restrictions and Texas Drone Infrastructure Law

Proposed rule; comment period closed August 5, 2026. Law checked through October 18, 2026.

AV STEP Withdrawal and the ADS Rulemaking Agenda

Proposal withdrawn; separate rulemaking announced. Law checked through October 18, 2026.

The FMVSS 135 Proposal for Vehicles Without Manual Controls

Proposed rule; comment period closed July 27, 2026. Law checked through October 18, 2026.

Austin Automated Vehicles and School Bus Safety Investigations

Federal investigations open; findings preliminary. Law checked through October 18, 2026.

The Section 232 Robotics Investigation and Texas Manufacturers

Investigation pending; no proclamation located. Law checked through October 18, 2026.

Foreign Drone Purchasing and Texas Public Agency Restrictions

Federal and state restrictions in effect. Law checked through October 18, 2026.

The McCraw Drone Decision and Its Limits

Analysis of a 2024 decision; certiorari denied. Law checked through October 18, 2026.

The 2027 Texas Robotics Legislative Watch

Session preview; no 2027 bills filed as of the date checked. Law checked through October 18, 2026.

Conditional State and Local Counter Drone Authority

Interim final rule in effect July 1, 2026. Law checked through October 18, 2026.