![News: Uber launches self-driving cars](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/12/uber-launches-self-driving-cars-driverless-vehicles-design-technology-transport_hero-852x480.jpg)
This week, self-driving cars from Uber and Google both hit headlines
This week on Dezeen, Google announced that its self-driving car project will continue life as a new company, while Uber's fleet of autonomous vehicles got in hot water just hours after taking to the streets.
Uber's self-driving cars were ordered off the streets of San Francisco until the company acquires a necessary permit, after footage emerged of two of the vehicles running red lights.
The news came just hours after the taxi-hailing company had released the fleet for the first time.
![google-spins-off-self-driving-car-company-waymo-transport-self-driving-vehicles_dezeen_sq](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/12/google-spins-off-self-driving-car-company-waymo-transport-self-driving-vehicles_dezeen_sq-852x852.jpg)
Meanwhile, reports emerged that Google was shelving plans for its own self-driving vehicles – but the company later confirmed that the project will continue life as a separate entity called Waymo.
![Kengo Kuma beats Toyo Ito to win Japan National Stadium competition](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/12/Japan-Tokyo-2020-Stadium-Kengo-Kuma_dezeen_sq.jpg)
In architecture news, construction work began on Kengo Kuma's National Stadium for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics – the design that was controversially selected to replace Zaha Hadid's competition-winning scheme.
![hanking-centre-tower-morphosis-architecture-shenzhen_dezeen_sqb](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/12/hanking-centre-tower-morphosis-architecture-shenzhen_dezeen_sqb-852x852.jpg)
In China, a 350-metre-high skyscraper described by architecture firm Morphosis as the "tallest steel building in China" rose to full height in Shenzhen, hile a series of mirrored and transparent bridges were proposed for Zhangjiajie forest.
![670 Mesquit by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/12/670-mesquit-los-angeles-arts-district-big_dezeen_sq1-852x852.jpg)
Meanwhile in the USA, Bjarke Ingels' firm released plans for a mixed-use scheme in Los Angeles, which will incorporate housing, offices and public spaces within a giant concrete framework.
![Arte by Antonio Citterio](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/12/arte-antonio-citterio-miami-usa-architecture-residential-apartments_dezeen_sq-852x852.jpg)
Italian architect Antonio Citterio was tapped to conceive a luxury residential building in Miami Beach, which is currently experiencing a high-end construction boom despite fears of rising sea levels.
![brett-steele-portrait-tim-brotherton_dezeen_sq](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/12/brett-steele-portrait-tim-brotherton_dezeen_sq-1-852x852.jpg)
Brett Steele, director of the Architectural Association in London, was appointed as the new head of the arts school at the University of California.
![murphy-house-richard-murphy-architects-residential-edinburgh-scotland-uk_dezeen_sqb](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/12/murphy-house-richard-murphy-architects-residential-edinburgh-scotland-uk_dezeen_sqb-852x852.jpg)
In the UK, the Edinburgh home of architect Richard Murphy was named House of the Year 2016 by the Royal Institute of British Architects.
![Tom Dixon Ikea collaboration](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/12/tom-dixon-ikea-collaboration-design-homeware_sqb-852x852.jpg)
British designer Tom Dixon teased a few details of his "top-secret" collaboration with IKEA, which will involve working with students and companies to develop a product with an "ecosystem" of add-ons.
![Nordic countries rebrand BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/12/bjarke-ingels-big_hot-list_iwan-baan_dezeen_sqb-852x852.jpg)
Also this week, BIG was appointed to help build a new brand identity for the five countries that make up the Nordic region.
![antarctic-research-centre-to-be-towed-inland_dezeen_sqc](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/12/antarctic-research-centre-to-be-towed-inland_dezeen_sqc-852x852.jpg)
Following fears the world's first mobile research centre on the floating Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica could get trapped on an iceberg, it will move to a new location for the first time.
![Domus Aurea by GLR Arquitectos and Alberto Campo Baeza](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/12/domus-aurea-alberto-campo-baeza-glr-arquitectos_dezeen_sq-852x852.jpg)
Popular projects this week included a minimalist house by Alberto Campo Baeza and GLR, a north London house extension and a restoration of an old granite farmhouse in the Scottish Highlands.