Author: Harding Greenwood

British self-driving technology startup Wayve has announced a significant milestone in its journey towards developing autonomous vehicles with human-like adaptability. The company has raised $1.05 billion in a funding round led by SoftBank Group, with participation from new investor Nvidia and existing backer Microsoft. This latest funding round brings Wayve’s total funds raised to over $1.3 billion, marking a major investment in a British AI startup. Wayve’s Embodied AI technology aims to revolutionize autonomous driving by enabling vehicles to learn from and adapt to human behavior, paving the way for a smoother transition from assisted to fully autonomous driving. In…

U.S. auto safety investigators are intensifying their scrutiny of Tesla’s December recall of over 2 million vehicles to install new Autopilot safeguards. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is seeking detailed answers and documents from Tesla after receiving reports of 20 crashes involving vehicles that had the Autopilot software updates installed as part of the recall. The NHTSA’s probe, initiated last month, focuses on concerns regarding Tesla’s recall, which the agency identified as having “several concerns.” Tesla’s largest-ever recall in the U.S., covering 2.03 million vehicles, was aimed at ensuring drivers pay attention while using its advanced driver assistance…

Chinese automaker BYD is set to unveil its first pickup truck model, the BYD Shark, in Mexico, marking a departure from its usual strategy of debuting new models in its home market. The global debut of the BYD Shark is scheduled for May 14, according to an announcement made by the company on X. The BYD Shark is being positioned as a new energy pickup truck, with a teaser poster on Weibo showcasing the tagline “BYD Shark, Hybrid Power, Wild Spirit.” The decision to debut the model in Mexico suggests that it is primarily targeted at overseas markets, where there…

In a challenging turn of events for electric vehicle manufacturer Fisker, contract auto manufacturer Magna International has expressed doubts about producing the Fisker Ocean crossover this year. During a recent earnings call, Magna’s CEO Swami Kotagiri stated that the company had to revise its 2024 outlook, citing “no additional Fisker Ocean production and lower sales on program delays and mix.” Kotagiri further disclosed, “Production of the vehicle is currently idled. Our current outlook assumes no further production.” This decision has led Magna to reduce its 2024 sales by approximately $400 million and impact its adjusted EBIT margin by about 25…

Lotus is preparing to introduce its latest offering, a battery-electric sports car expected to be priced around $95,000 upon its release. This price point would position the new model, known as the Type 135, slightly below the current Emira V6, Lotus’s final combustion-powered sports car. Set to rival the electric Porsche Cayman and Boxster twins, the Type 135 will feature Lotus’s new Lightweight Electric Vehicle Architecture (LEVA), which is designed for high configurability and will underpin multiple models. Unlike traditional EVs that place batteries in the floor, Lotus will position the battery pack directly behind the cabin, akin to the…

According to Volvo Car Canada’s 2024 Mobility Trend Report, there is a strong inclination among Canadians toward considering electric vehicles (EVs) for their next vehicle purchase, with 64% of respondents open to hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or battery EV options. However, the report also highlights several challenges that ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) automakers must address to boost EV adoption in the country. The key findings include: Cost Barrier: A significant 76% of respondents find EVs too expensive, indicating a need for more affordable models in the market. Charging Infrastructure: 78% of Canadians believe that the current EV charging infrastructure is insufficient,…

In the first quarter of 2024, Daimler Truck reported a 13% decrease in global sales, with 108,911 units sold compared to 125,172 units in the same period last year. Despite this overall decline, the sales of battery-electric vehicles saw a significant jump, increasing by 183% to 813 vehicles, up from 287 in Q1 2023. Daimler Buses, on the other hand, witnessed a more positive trend in its 2024 Q1 results. Although unit sales showed only a slight increase, with 5,604 units sold compared to 5,570 units in Q1 2023, the company reported a substantial surge in revenue. Revenue reached $1.176…

Tesla showcased its Optimus humanoid robot in a new video, displaying its prowess in sorting battery cells, taking walks, and executing various factory tasks. The footage, posted on the Optimus X account, reveals the robot’s capacity to independently sort 4680 battery cells, rectifying errors along the way using its end-to-end neural network. Equipped with cameras, hand tactile sensors, and force sensors, the Optimus robot gathers data about its environment, enabling autonomous operation. Currently undergoing testing at a Tesla factory, the robot is progressively reducing the need for human intervention as it continues to enhance its performance. In addition to its…

Researchers at Graz University of Technology have made significant strides in improving the assessment of discarded electric vehicle batteries for potential reuse in stationary power storage units. The current method relies on two criteria – reduced charging capacity and increased internal resistance – which the researchers deem insufficient for determining second-life use. The team analyzed lithium-ion cells used in vehicles under real-life conditions and compared them with new specimens in laboratory settings. They conducted reproducible charging and discharging cycles, recording 31 different measured values to assess the batteries’ aging condition. From this, 13 indicators were identified as meaningful, including charging…

Bosch’s renowned mid-drive electric motors, long a staple in many markets, are making their debut in Taiwan through Tern’s Vektron and Quick Haul e-bikes. While Tern is widely known for its presence in Western e-bike markets, the company is actually based in Taiwan. The arrival of Bosch-powered e-bikes in Taiwan marks a significant development, as the country’s domestic market has previously only had access to Tern’s folding and non-electric bikes. Tern’s decision to introduce the Vektron and Quick Haul models to Taiwan reflects the company’s commitment to expanding its offerings in its home market. Josh Hon, Tern Team Captain, expressed…

Tesla has expanded its range of accessories for the Cybertruck, offering a glimpse into the future of electric pickup truck utility. Among the unveiled accessories is the Cybercooler, a prototype designed for tailgating parties, which fits perfectly in the Cybertruck’s frunk. While the Cybercooler has not yet been released to the public, its edgy design and stainless steel finish blend seamlessly with the Cybertruck’s aesthetic. Another highlight is the frunk hood sensor, which ensures the safe closure of the frunk even when detecting soft objects like bananas placed at its edge. This feature demonstrates Tesla’s commitment to user safety and…

Tesla appears to be gearing up to introduce its own in-car voice assistant, as indicated by information found in the source code of its latest software update. Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, has been hinting at the development of a Tesla-branded voice assistant for several years. Earlier, Musk suggested that Tesla could collaborate with his AI startup xAI to deploy its chatbot inside Tesla vehicles. The latest software update, version 2024.14.3, is currently being rolled out by Tesla and includes several new features. However, Tesla hacker Green, known for uncovering unreleased features in Tesla’s code, has revealed that the update contains…