Author: James Bryant

The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office (MDSO), in partnership with Policing Lab, has launched a year-long pilot program to test the nation’s first autonomous patrol vehicle, known as the Police Unmanned Ground (PUG) Patrol Partner. The vehicle, developed with autonomy software from Perrone Robotics and AI-driven analytics, is equipped with 360-degree cameras, thermal imaging, and drone launch capabilities. Designed to serve as a force multiplier, the PUG is intended to extend deputy resources, enhance situational awareness, and automate repetitive tasks. “This initiative offers law enforcement a smart high-tech partner in the field,” said Marjolijn Bruggeling, Executive Director of Policing Lab. During the…

General Motors said on Thursday it will introduce its Super Cruise hands-free driving technology in South Korea beginning in November, expanding the advanced driver assistance system beyond North America and China. The system will initially be available on a Cadillac model and operate across more than 14,000 miles of mapped expressways and major arterial roads, including key routes such as the Gyeongbu Expressway linking Seoul and Busan. See also: General Motors Launches Super Cruise Hands-Free Driving in Middle East Super Cruise combines cameras, sensors, GPS, and LiDAR-based maps, enabling drivers to operate hands-free under proper conditions while ensuring attentiveness through…

U.S.-based sensor technology company Aeva has released AevaScenes, an open-access dataset that combines frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) 4D LiDAR with synchronized camera data, aiming to support research in autonomous vehicle perception. The dataset, which the company says is the first of its kind, provides long-range sensor data with precise object velocity measurements and detailed annotations, including semantic segmentation, object tracking and lane line information. Aeva said AevaScenes is intended to help researchers advance object detection, motion forecasting and scene flow analysis in self-driving systems. See also: LG Innotek Partners with Aeva to Develop 4D LiDAR for Autonomous and Industrial…

Mercedes-Benz said it has entered into a reference design collaboration with Athos Silicon, a semiconductor startup founded by former engineers from Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America (MBRDNA), to accelerate the adoption and scaling of chiplet technology for autonomous driving platforms. The initiative builds on research work started in 2020 at MBRDNA, where teams developed chiplet architectures designed to improve computing performance for autonomous vehicles. Mercedes-Benz said the partnership underscores its leadership in Silicon Valley innovation and ecosystem development, noting that Athos Silicon was established as an independent company to expand the technology’s reach across industries. “Mercedes-Benz continuously explores technologies…

Liontown Resources has agreed with Tesla to modify the pricing mechanism in their long-term lithium offtake agreement, Reuters reported. The changes are part of Liontown’s strategy to shift from lithium hydroxide indices to spodumene concentrate and to broaden exposure across a “basket” of pricing references, including lithium hydroxide, lithium carbonate, and spodumene concentrate. See also: U.S. DOE Takes Equity Stakes in Lithium Americas and Nevada JV to Secure Loan Collateral The miner clarified that volumes under the Tesla agreement for the remainder of the contract, which runs through 2029, will remain unchanged. Reuters also reported that Liontown is in discussions…

Kia reported record U.S. sales in the third quarter of 2025, delivering nearly 220,000 vehicles, the highest quarterly total since the company entered the market in the early 1990s. The performance puts the South Korean automaker on track for its third consecutive annual sales record. Through the first nine months of the year, Kia sold 636,148 vehicles in the U.S., up 9% from the same period in 2024. Growth was fueled by strong demand for updated models across its portfolio, including the K5 sedan, Telluride SUV, and its latest electric vehicles. See also: Kia Launches Plug & Charge Technology to…

Rivian Automotive Inc plans to launch a smaller, more affordable SUV, the R2, in the first half of 2026, as the electric vehicle maker seeks to broaden its lineup and expand beyond North America. The company aims to position the R2 as both a volume-builder and a step toward international relevance. Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe told Autocar at the Munich motor show that the upcoming R2 and future R3 models are “highly aspirational but highly attainable,” blending pricing accessibility with desirability. “Often, when you see the price go down, you see the desirability drop off. But this is what makes…

Waymo said on Wednesday that New York City regulators have extended its autonomous vehicle testing permit through the end of the year, allowing the company to continue operating its robotaxis in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn with human safety operators behind the wheel. The original permit, granted in August, allowed Waymo to deploy up to eight Jaguar I-Pace vehicles in the city until the end of September. Under the extension, the terms remain the same, including an exemption from state rules requiring drivers to keep one hand on the wheel at all times, a Waymo spokesperson said. See also: Waymo Launches…

Hyundai Motor said on Wednesday it will lower U.S. prices for its 2026 Ioniq 5 electric crossover by up to $9,800, in a move aimed at making the model one of the most affordable EVs in the market following the expiration of the federal $7,500 tax credit. The company said the price changes “reflect Hyundai’s commitment to affordability and its long-term EV strategy.” See also: Hyundai Outlines 2030 Vision With Range-Extended EVs, Pickup Truck, and Expanded Global Lineup The entry-level Ioniq 5 RWD Standard Range will now start at $35,000, placing it alongside General Motors’ Chevrolet Equinox EV as a…

More than two years after entering Japan, BYD Co. is still grappling to win over local drivers, selling just 5,300 vehicles between January 2023 and June 2025 despite expanding its retail footprint and lineup, Bloomberg reported. The Chinese automaker has opened 45 outlets in the country and introduced a fourth model, with plans to debut an electric kei car in late 2026. But demand has remained subdued, prompting BYD to turn to discounts of up to ¥1 million ($6,700), Bloomberg said. Combined with government subsidies, the cuts can halve sticker prices, with its Atto 3 crossover starting at just under…

Fully electric buses have entered service in Essex for the first time, with First Bus rolling out the first four vehicles on routes around Basildon as part of a £30.6 million project supported by the government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA 2) scheme. The company said it will deploy a total of 55 buses over the next two months, with all in operation by the end of the year. The investment includes £25.8 million from First Bus, covering the new fleet, supporting infrastructure, and upgrades to its Basildon depot. See also: First Bus Orders 17 Battery-Electric Buses From Alexander…

Genesis said on Tuesdayit has completed worldwide testing of the GV60 Magma, the brand’s first high-performance electric vehicle, after subjecting the model to extreme conditions ahead of its market debut. The Hyundai Motor Group-owned luxury brand said the validation program was carried out in diverse environments including Swedish snow, California deserts, New Zealand’s mountain terrain, and Korea’s tracks and public roads. The evaluations focused on power output, chassis stability, traction, braking, and overall driving dynamics. See also: Genesis Delays Next-Generation G80 EV Until At Least 2029 Final tests in Korea included urban streets, highways, mountain routes, and laps at the…

Autonomous driving company Pony.ai has secured approval from Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to begin testing its driverless vehicles on public roads, the company said on Monday. The permit marks a significant step in its plan to introduce commercial robotaxi services in the Middle East. The pilot program will allow Pony.ai to conduct trials in designated parts of Dubai, following a partnership with the RTA announced earlier this year. The company aims to launch a full driverless ride-hailing service in the emirate by 2026, supporting Dubai’s target of making 25% of urban transport autonomous by 2030. Pony.ai presented its…

U.S. auto parts supplier First Brands Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday, weighed down by more than $6 billion in debt from a string of acquisitions. The company, which owns aftermarket brands including Raybestos brake solutions, TRICO wiper blades and FRAM filters, said it secured $1.1 billion in debtor-in-possession financing from first-lien lenders to support operations during the restructuring. The filing applies only to U.S. operations, with global activities expected to continue without disruption, it added. First Brands disclosed assets of more than $1 billion against liabilities exceeding $10 billion in its petition to the U.S. Bankruptcy…

Scientists at Monash University in Australia have developed a rechargeable zinc battery capable of running continuously for 74 days and reaching an energy density of 997 Wh per kilogram, a breakthrough that sets new benchmarks for zinc-air technology. The battery, which completed more than 3,500 cycles during testing, significantly outperforms conventional zinc-air batteries that typically achieve around 400 Wh/kg and surpasses the density of many lithium-ion cells. Researchers said the advance was made possible through atomic-level engineering of the catalyst. “By engineering cobalt and iron as individual atoms on a carbon framework, we achieved record-breaking performance in zinc-air batteries, showing…

Daimler Buses has been commissioned by Swiss public transport operator Sihltal Zürich Uetliberg Bahn (SZU) to plan and implement charging infrastructure at the Rütihof bus depot in Wädenswil on Lake Zurich. The project will equip the existing depot with electric bus charging facilities by 2026. Under the contract, Daimler Buses will install several charging stations in existing depot buildings to enable daytime and overnight charging. A digital load and charging management system will also be integrated to optimize energy distribution. In its final phase, the project will deliver 43 CCS2 charging points with up to 150 kW capacity per vehicle.…

Tesla’s UK division reported a steep drop in revenue and profits for the 2024 financial year, as weaker car sales and a sharp decline in energy earnings weighed on results. Despite the slowdown, the company paid a dividend to its U.S. parent and is preparing to expand into Britain’s electricity market. According to filings with Companies House, revenue at the Manchester-based unit fell to £1.94 billion in 2024 from £2.47 billion a year earlier. Pre-tax profit dropped to £19.4 million from £32 million. Sales volumes slightly exceeded last year’s levels, but the company said product mix and incentive programs hit…

BYD has added the final vessel in its current maritime fleet, commissioning the car carrier BYD Jinan, the company said on Weibo on Monday. The BYD Jinan, named after the eastern Chinese city of Jinan in Shandong province, one of the automaker’s largest production hubs, is the eighth car carrier to join the fleet. BYD described the fleet as “fully assembled,” indicating no immediate plans for further expansion. The fleet already includes the BYD Explorer No.1, BYD Hefei, BYD Changzhou, BYD Shenzhen, BYD Xi’an, BYD Changsha, and BYD Zhengzhou. The BYD Zhengzhou, with a capacity of 7,000 vehicles, entered service…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio said on Monday it will allocate 100-kilowatt-hour battery packs primarily to production of its new third-generation ES8 SUV rather than battery swap stations, a move intended to speed up deliveries. The decision, announced via the company’s mobile app, will temporarily limit availability of the battery at some swap stations. To offset the impact, Nio said customers taking delivery of the ES8 by December 31 will receive a RMB 400 ($56) charging subsidy. The company expects full deployment of the 100-kWh packs across its third- and fourth-generation swap stations by January 2026. Nio launched the third-generation…

Mobility company Ayvens said on Thursday it will begin issuing state-of-health (SoH) certificates for used electric vehicles in Europe, a step aimed at increasing transparency and trust in the growing second-hand EV market. The certificates will be provided through Ayvens Carmarket, the trading platform launched last year to sell cars from its leasing fleet to professional dealers. The programme will start in Czechia, Finland, France, Germany, Portugal and the Netherlands before expanding to most other European markets in the coming months. Ayvens Carmarket currently operates in 38 countries. The SoH certificates show the current battery capacity compared to the original…