Author: Sibley Presley

Nvidia on Monday unveiled new artificial intelligence infrastructure and models aimed at accelerating the development of what it calls “physical AI,” as the semiconductor company pushes deeper into technologies that power robots and autonomous vehicles. At the NeurIPS AI conference in San Diego, Nvidia introduced Alpamayo-R1, an open reasoning vision-language-action model designed specifically for autonomous driving research. The company said the model allows vehicles to interpret visual data and text simultaneously, enabling more human-like decision-making in real-world traffic conditions. See also: Hyundai Partners with Nvidia to Advance AI for Autonomous Vehicles and Smart Factories The new model is built on…

South Korean on-device artificial intelligence chip developer DeepX said on Sunday it will unveil a next-generation on-device AI platform developed jointly with the Robotics Lab of Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp., signalling progress toward the commercial use of physical AI-based robot intelligence. The on-device AI controller, built around DeepX’s ultra-low-power DX-M1 semiconductor, is currently in the technical verification stage for mass production. The collaboration is being closely watched as a practical pathway for deploying robot intelligence that operates independently of cloud networks. See also: Hyundai Motor to Pause Ioniq 5 Production at Ulsan Plant Amid Weak EV Demand DeepX’s…

Chinese autonomous driving company MINIEYE has entered into a strategic partnership with New Gonow Group’s automotive unit, New Gonow Auto, and its logistics affiliate Beijing Logistics to co-develop and deploy 800 autonomous logistics vehicles, the company said in a statement on Nov. 26. Under the agreement, the three companies will jointly develop automotive-grade, driverless delivery vehicles designed for large-scale commercial use. The partnership is positioned as a market-oriented effort to integrate autonomous driving technology, vehicle manufacturing and logistics operations into a unified deployment framework spanning research and development, mass production and commercial rollout. MINIEYE will contribute its Level 4 autonomous…

German charging infrastructure software provider EcoG has raised €16 million in a Series B funding round to expand its platform for fast-charging manufacturers and accelerate deployment of commercial electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The funding was led by Munich-based GET Fund, with participation from Extantia and Bayern Kapital, the company said, as it targets rising demand from logistics and fleet operators shifting toward electric mobility. EcoG said its software platform is already in use across Europe, India and the United States, with further international expansion planned. The company, which operates offices in Munich and Detroit, aims to position its platform as…

Believ has been selected by North Lincolnshire Council to install hundreds of electric vehicle charging points over the coming years, following what the council described as a competitive tender process. The British charging point operator will deploy a mix of fast and rapid chargers across urban, rural and residential areas, the council said in a statement. North Lincolnshire Council said the programme is intended to improve access for the roughly one in four local households that do not have off-street parking. Sixteen of the new chargers will be rapid or ultra-rapid units located in key car parks across the region,…

EU new-car registrations show a mixed picture through October 2025, with electrified vehicles continuing to grow but overall volumes still lagging far behind pre-pandemic levels, according to data released today by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). Battery-electric cars expanded their market share to 16.4% year-to-date, up from 13.2% a year earlier, though analysts say the rate remains insufficient to meet the region’s longer-term transition goals. Hybrid-electric vehicles remained the most popular electrified option among buyers, while plug-in hybrids continued to gain traction. See also: Global EV Sales Rise 23% to 1.9 Million Units in October, Driven by Strong Demand…

Alphabet’s Waymo said on Thursday it will expand its robotaxi operations to Minneapolis, Tampa and New Orleans in the coming days, as the company accelerates the broader rollout of its autonomous mobility services across the United States. Waymo said it will follow its established phased approach in the new markets, beginning with human-driven vehicles used for mapping and data collection. The process typically moves into supervised autonomous testing, limited public access and, ultimately, fully driverless commercial rides. https://twitter.com/Waymo/status/1991506824059609468 Waymo, carved out of Google’s self-driving project in 2016, is currently the only operator in the U.S. offering paid robotaxi services without…

TIER IV has launched an autonomous shuttle service connecting government buildings in central Tokyo as part of a Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) project aimed at establishing standards for public sector autonomous vehicle deployments. The service began operations on November 20, 2025, operating on a 3.5-kilometer route linking National Diet buildings. The shuttles use Suzuki Solio vehicles equipped with the Autoware open-source autonomous driving software and TIER IV’s robotaxi reference design. The deployment is intended to evaluate autonomous vehicle performance in dense urban traffic, collecting driving data and feedback from government personnel. A METI spokesperson said the project…

MG has introduced the MGS6 EV to the UK market, adding a new C-segment electric SUV to its expanding lineup as competition intensifies in Europe’s mid-size EV segment. Built on the brand’s Modular Scalable Platform and equipped with a 77kWh battery, the model enters the market with three variants starting at £37,995. MG is positioning the MGS6 EV as an alternative for buyers seeking higher-range electric SUVs, joining existing models such as the MG4 and IM6. The entry-level SE Long Range uses a single rear motor producing 180kW, offering a WLTP-certified range of 329 miles and undercutting the Skoda Enyaq’s…

Bot Auto has finalized a broad insurance program for its autonomous truck fleet, enabling continued commercial freight service on the Houston–San Antonio corridor. The coverage, arranged through Marsh and underwritten by an A-rated carrier, spans auto liability, property, general liability, cargo, inland marine and a separately placed cyber policy. The agreement represents a notable step for driverless freight operators seeking insurability comparable to traditional trucking, while reflecting the growing role of data-driven risk assessment in autonomous systems. The company emphasizes that its operational model produces a different risk profile than human-driven transport, due largely to continuous data logging and software-governed…

Mazda has started road testing early prototypes of its first battery-electric vehicle designed specifically for North America, marking a significant step in the company’s long-delayed shift toward electrification. The development vehicles were recently seen near Mazda’s research facilities in Irvine, California, according to a report from Automotive News. The prototypes are built on the company’s new Skyactiv EV Scalable Architecture, a platform engineered from the outset for battery-electric powertrains, modern charging systems and multiple vehicle sizes. While the test models use temporary body panels from Mazda’s existing combustion-engine SUVs, their proportions indicate the final product is expected to be a…

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has deployed electric large goods vehicles (eLGVs) and electric cars for the first time, marking a milestone in the UK fire service’s shift toward low-emission operations. Two 16-tonne Renault electric lorries are now stationed at the brigade’s Operational Support Centre (OSC) to deliver equipment across the city, replacing diesel vehicles that had been in service for more than two decades. The LFB said the eLGVs will also “respond to incidents when required,” although it did not specify the exact nature of these emergency deployments. See also: UK Electric Delivery Firm Hived Expands Beyond London to…

Xpeng is set to expand its P7+ sedan lineup with an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) variant, following the launch of EREV versions of the X9 and G7, according to filings with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). The P7+ EREV will feature a 49.2 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, providing a CLTC-rated pure electric range of 325 km. Power will come from a 1.5T range-extender engine producing 110 kW (148 hp) paired with a 180 kW (241 hp) electric motor. The top speed is listed at 200 km/h. The combined driving range has not yet been disclosed.…

Lucid Group said deliveries of its lower-priced Gravity Touring SUV are scheduled to begin next month, reaffirming that the long-awaited trim remains on track despite recent production setbacks. After reporting third-quarter earnings earlier this week, interim CEO Marc Winterhoff acknowledged that production of the company’s flagship electric SUV has faced delays in recent months. “Gravity production is not where we want to be,” Winterhoff said, citing several “extraordinary headwinds” that at times “threatened to shut down production” during the year. See also: Lucid Introduces First Discounts on Gravity SUV, Promises More Affordable Trim by Year-End Lucid has been contending with…

Chery’s electric vehicle (EV) unit Exeed has revealed updated specifications for its 2026 Exlantix ES electric sedan, highlighting a significant increase in battery capacity and driving range. According to a filing with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the revised model is equipped with a 97.682 kWh battery pack, offering two range options of 835 km and 860 km, depending on configuration and tyre size. Testing conditions for these figures were not specified. The Exlantix ES retains its mid-to-large sedan dimensions, measuring 4,945 mm in length, 1,978 mm in width, and 1,480 mm in height, with a 3,000…

Hyundai is facing growing criticism from electric vehicle owners after reports surfaced that its diagnostic systems prevent drivers from performing basic maintenance tasks on their own cars. The controversy began after an Ioniq 5 N owner claimed that the company’s software tools restrict access to essential calibration functions, effectively locking out anyone who isn’t a certified technician. According to posts on Reddit’s r/Ioniq5N community, the issue centers around the vehicle’s rear brake pads, which are linked to the electric parking brake. Replacing them requires disengaging and recalibrating the brake motor — a process that, according to the owner, can only…

Beep announced plans to deploy Karsan’s Autonomous e-JEST vehicles in Altamonte Springs, Florida, and Atlanta, Georgia, by 2026. The initiatives, developed in partnership with ADASTEC, Karsan, and Damera Corp., aim to support the integration of shared autonomous transit in U.S. cities. The Atlanta deployment will coincide with the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The new services will use Karsan’s production-grade Autonomous e-JEST minibuses, equipped with ADASTEC’s SAE Level 4 automation and powered by Beep’s AutonomOS™ orchestration platform. The vehicles are fully FMVSS and ADA compliant, Altoona-tested, and backed by OEM warranties. Beep said live demonstrations of the platform will be held…

Workhorse Group Inc. has expanded its W56 Class 5/6 all-electric step van platform with the addition of the Utilimaster Aeromaster body, offering a zero-emission solution that maintains the familiar design and functionality widely used in last-mile delivery fleets. The new configuration aims to simplify fleet electrification by integrating a trusted, industry-standard walk-in body onto Workhorse’s purpose-built electric chassis. See also: Motiv And Workhorse To Merge In $105 Million Deal To Form Medium-Duty EV Truck Manufacturer The Utilimaster Aeromaster body brings lightweight aluminum construction, modular interior configurations, and a low step-in height tailored for delivery, service, and specialty applications. The design…

East Yorkshire Buses has finished the initial phase of its electric vehicle infrastructure rollout at its Anlaby Road Depot, ahead of the arrival of 21 new Wrightbus electric buses later this year, the company said on Wednesday. The project, supported by Hull City Council and the Department for Transport, represents the first step toward a zero-emission bus network in the city. Phase two of the infrastructure programme is already underway, with charging facilities expected to serve both the operator’s new electric fleet and Hull City Council’s passenger vehicle operations. While the city has not specified the type of chargers installed,…

Pony.ai announced the official deployment of its seventh-generation robotaxi, featuring significantly reduced system costs and upgraded autonomous driving capabilities. Beginning in November, the new robotaxis — based on the Arcfox Alpha T5 SUV and GAC Aion’s second-generation Aion V — will begin operations in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, expanding the company’s autonomous fleet presence in major Chinese cities. See also: Pony.ai Granted Citywide Permit for Fully Driverless Robotaxis in Shenzhen The latest generation utilizes 100 percent automotive-grade components, with a design lifespan of 600,000 kilometers, and introduces a 70 percent reduction in the cost of its autonomous driving suite compared to…