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Coleman Law Files Nationwide Class Action Against Rivian Over Promised Self-Driving Capabilities

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Complaint Contends Rivian Sold Thousands of Vehicles Missing the Hardware Required to Deliver Level 3 Autonomous Driving

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., June 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Coleman Law PLLC has filed a nationwide consumer class action lawsuit against Rivian Automotive, Inc., alleging the electric vehicle manufacturer engaged in a years-long campaign of false, deceptive, and misleading marketing — promising consumers that its first-generation (“Gen 1”) R1T and R1S vehicles would be capable of Level 3 autonomous driving, while manufacturing those vehicles without the hardware required to do so.

The complaint, filed on behalf of a nationwide class and state-specific classes in California, Michigan, and Wisconsin, alleges that Rivian’s promises of “true hands-free operation” were not aspirational roadmap statements but “explicit” and “unequivocal” representations made directly to consumers.

The complaint further alleges Rivian knew, or recklessly disregarded, that these representations were false when made.

“Rivian spent years promising customers of its first-generation vehicles true hands-free, self-driving capabilities knowing all along that it could not deliver on its promises,” says Jarret Raab, Partner at Coleman Law PLLC. “Our clients paid a significant premium for technology that Rivian now admits was a dead end from the start.”

What Rivian Promised

According to the complaint, beginning in November 2018 and continuing through at least March 2023, Rivian represented — through its website, public statements by founder and CEO RJ Scaringe, its sales team, and company-sponsored events — that every Gen 1 vehicle would be capable of Level 3 autonomy through its proprietary “Driver+” system.

The complaint quotes Rivian’s own website, which stated from late 2018 through at least October 2020:

“WE’LL TAKE THE WHEEL, YOU TAKE IN THE SCENERY. Level 3 autonomy will be available on every Rivian vehicle. By allowing you to take your hands off the wheel and your eyes off the road, you’ll get to see more of the world as you cruise through it.”

According to the complaint, since November 2020, Rivian has actively represented its Driver+ system — including Level 3 autonomous self-driving — as standard on every vehicle it builds, promising the “complete hardware package” with “all Driver+ enhancements” delivered “over-the-air at no expense.”

Consumers relied on these promises when deciding to purchase Gen 1 vehicles at prices materially inflated by those representations, the complaint contends.

What Rivian Delivered

The complaint alleges that Rivian’s autonomous driving representations were “simply untrue,” as the Driver+ system was “never designed” to support the type of autonomous driving Rivian claimed its vehicles could perform.

From the complaint, “Rivian manufactured its Gen 1 Vehicles without the hardware, cameras, sensors, and compute to enable hands-free driving and/or Level 3 autonomous operation… No software update—no matter how sophisticated—will enable its Gen 1 Vehicles to perform as advertised.”

Accordingly, plaintiffs and class members claim they did not receive what they paid for, and instead received vehicles that are substantially less capable, thereby materially less valuable, than Rivian represented them to be.

About The Complaint

The case is brought by three named plaintiffs — one based in California, one in Michigan, and one in Wisconsin — on behalf of a proposed National Class of all U.S. purchasers or lessees of Gen 1 Rivian R1T and R1S vehicles, as well as state-specific classes in California, Michigan, and Wisconsin, and a Multi-State Consumer Protection Class.

The complaint asserts nine counts against Rivian, including fraudulent concealment — contending Rivian had exclusive knowledge that its Gen 1 vehicles lacked the hardware to deliver promised autonomous capabilities — negligent misrepresentation, and unjust enrichment. The complaint further alleges violations of state consumer protection statutes in California, Michigan, Wisconsin, and consumer protection statutes across additional states encompassing the Multi-State Consumer Protection Class.

Plaintiffs seek class certification, injunctive relief prohibiting Rivian from continuing the alleged conduct, actual and compensatory damages, punitive and exemplary damages, restitution and disgorgement, attorneys’ fees and costs, and all other relief the Court deems proper.

Plaintiffs have demanded a trial by jury.

Check Your Eligibility

Owners or lessees of first-generation Rivian R1T or R1S vehicles who purchased their vehicle based on representations about Level 3 autonomous driving or hands-free capability may be eligible to participate.

To check your eligibility, visit the Coleman Law website.

About Coleman Law PLLC

Coleman Law PLLC is a national consumer protection firm built on a simple premise: the law was designed to apply equally to all. For decades, award-winning Greg Coleman and his team of decorated attorneys have represented thousands of consumers in mass arbitration and class action proceedings against some of the nation’s largest manufacturers and most powerful corporations.

Media Contact:
Kaitlin Gagnon
kaitling@cagnite.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/coleman-law-files-nationwide-class-action-against-rivian-over-promised-self-driving-capabilities-302811156.html

SOURCE Coleman Law PLLC

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China Xplained | The China Squeeze, or the China Opportunity?

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September 6, 2026

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GUANGZHOU, China, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This is a news report from South: 

Is China’s manufacturing rise squeezing out or creating opportunities for other economies?

Ahead of the 2026 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in China this November, journalists and experts from around the world gathered in Guangdong for the Asia-Pacific Media Forum (APMF) 2026.

The forum opened in Shenzhen on September 5, bringing together more than 400 representatives from across the Asia-Pacific region, as well as from international organizations.

Before the opening of the forum, participants travelled across Guangdong to see China’s industries and development first-hand.

In this episode of China Xplained, we look at the numbers, supply chains, investment and voices from across the developing world—to ask a bigger question: Is China squeezing out room for other economies?

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/china-xplained–the-china-squeeze-or-the-china-opportunity-302870814.html

SOURCE South

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PUDU D7 Named Honoree in IFA Innovation Awards for Best in IFA Next & Emerging Technologies

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September 6, 2026

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BERLIN, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pudu Robotics, a global leader in commercial service robotics, today announced that its PUDU D7 Semi-humanoid Intelligent Robot has been named an Honoree in the Best in IFA Next & Emerging Technologies category of the IFA Innovation Awards. The recognition highlights PUDU D7’s ability to combine mobile navigation, dexterous manipulation and intelligent sensing to perform a range of tasks in real-world industrial and commercial environments.

The IFA Innovation Awards recognize outstanding innovations across the global technology landscape. Entries are evaluated by an independent international jury based on criteria including technology and functionality, innovation and originality, and the potential to create tangible value for users and the market. The recognition places PUDU D7 among emerging technologies demonstrating new possibilities for the future of robotics.

From Industrial Operations to Guest Interaction

PUDU D7 is designed for industrial, warehouse, retail and hospitality environments, where it can move through human-oriented spaces and perform tasks that require both mobility and dexterous manipulation.

In industrial and warehouse settings, D7 can handle materials, pick items from shelves, replenish inventory, transport goods between work areas and push carts. With a payload capacity of up to 20 kg (44.1 pounds) and an operating height of up to 2 meters (6.6 feet), it can work with a range of storage systems and materials.

In retail, D7 can support shelf replenishment, item handling and store organization, moving products between storage areas and shelves and helping maintain product displays.

In hotels and hospitality, PUDU D7 can take on the role of an intelligent front-desk host, welcoming guests, preparing and serving coffee, interacting with visitors and providing engaging experiences. Its semi-humanoid form and dual-arm capabilities allow it to combine practical service tasks with natural human-robot interaction, bringing a more personable and engaging presence to the guest experience.

Designed for Adaptable Performance

PUDU D7 combines a dual-arm manipulation system, tactile sensing and a 360-degree perception system to support these applications. Front- and rear-facing LiDAR and other sensors enable navigation around people and obstacles, while tactile sensing provides precise control when handling objects.

The robot also features autonomous battery swapping, allowing it to independently replace its battery and reduce downtime during extended operation.

Together, these capabilities enable D7 to support different tasks across a range of environments without being limited to a single application.

PUDU D7 Makes Its European Debut at IFA

IFA 2026 marks the first time PUDU D7 is being showcased in Europe. At the Pudu Robotics booth, visitors can experience live demonstrations highlighting the robot’s capabilities and its potential for human-robot interaction.

D7 interacts directly with visitors through demonstrations including waving, making heart gestures and picking up objects. These demonstrations showcase the robot’s ability to combine movement, manipulation and interaction in a human-oriented environment.

Advancing the Next Generation of Intelligent Robotics

The IFA Innovation Awards recognition marks another step in Pudu Robotics’ expansion from service delivery, commercial cleaning and industrial delivery into embodied intelligent robotics.

PUDU D7 is part of Pudu Robotics’ broader strategy to develop a portfolio of specialized, semi-humanoid and humanoid robots, building on its capabilities in embodied navigation, manipulation and interaction. This approach enables the company to address a broader range of applications across commercial and industrial environments.

Pudu Robotics will continue working with customers and partners worldwide to explore new applications for embodied intelligence and bring increasingly capable robots into real-world environments.

About Pudu Robotics

Pudu Robotics is a global leader in commercial service robotics and the industry’s first company to offer a full portfolio spanning specialized, semi-humanoid, and humanoid robots. According to Frost & Sullivan’s latest market report, Pudu Robotics ranks No. 1 globally in commercial service robotics by both revenue and shipment volume. Built on its One Brain, Multiple Embodiments architecture, Pudu offers robots for service delivery, commercial cleaning, industrial delivery, and general embodied AI applications across hospitality, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, education, public services, and more. To date, Pudu Robotics has shipped over 130,000 robots to customers across 85+ countries and regions.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pudu-d7-named-honoree-in-ifa-innovation-awards-for-best-in-ifa-next–emerging-technologies-302870806.html

SOURCE Pudu Robotics

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Asia-Pacific Media Forum held in China’s Guangdong

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September 6, 2026

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SHENZHEN, China, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from Xinhuanet: 

The Asia-Pacific Media Forum opened on Saturday in Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong Province, with the theme of “Building a Path to Shared Prosperity for the Asia-Pacific Community: Media Consensus and Action.”

Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, attended the forum and delivered a keynote speech. Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, attended the forum and delivered a speech.

Participating guests noted that this year marks 2026 APEC “China Year,” during which China will host the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. They expressed their belief that with support from all sides, the summit will yield fruitful outcomes and elevate Asia-Pacific cooperation to new heights.

Participating guests emphasized that development and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region depend on the active participation of media. The media are expected to share stories of openness and integration, provide comprehensive coverage of the region’s progress and achievements across various fields, and help foster a favorable public opinion environment for the region’s open development.

Participating guests noted that the media should actively promote outcomes of the series of APEC activities, interpret policies and measures of various economies to support scientific and technological innovation, and build regional consensus for innovative development.

They also called for deepening results-oriented cooperation in joint reporting, technological innovation and personnel training, and leveraging media exchanges to carry forward civilizations, spread culture and convey goodwill, so as to enhance mutual understanding and closer bonds among the peoples of the Asia-Pacific.

The forum was co-hosted by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, Xinhua News Agency and the Guangdong provincial government, and organized by the Shenzhen municipal government.

More than 400 representatives from over 40 countries and regions, as well as UN agencies and international organizations, attended the event. At the opening ceremony, 16 founding organizations from China and abroad jointly formed the Organizing Committee of the Asia-Pacific Media Partnership Program.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/asia-pacific-media-forum-held-in-chinas-guangdong-302870809.html

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