Xpeng’s eVTOL aircraft collided during a rehearsal flight in Changchun, China.
One aircraft landed safely while the other crashed and caught fire afterward.
No fatalities were reported in the crash just before the public air show.
In addition to building some of China’s most advanced electric cars, Xpeng has been quietly pursuing something far more ambitious: an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The project has been in development for over a decade, and the company is even constructing a purpose-built factory to produce them.
That long-term vision, however, hit turbulence this week when two of its aircraft reportedly collided and crashed at the Changchun Air Show.
The two aircraft involved in the incident are understood to be the same models designed to fold up and slot into the rear of the six-wheeled Land Aircraft Carrier. Each uses a six-rotor layout with propellers and arms that can fold away, and they are built to operate either under manual control or in autonomous flight mode.
Folding Wings and Six Rotors
It remains unclear whether the test flight was being conducted under manual control or via the autonomous system. What is known is that the accident happened during a rehearsal ahead of the public show’s opening on Friday. One passenger is reported to have been injured, though not seriously, according to Guancha.
In a statement issued to CNEVPost, Xpeng said that the two aircraft were participating in a formation drill but collided after flying too close to each other. Fortunately, one of the aircraft landed safely, but the other sustained more significant damage and caught fire after it fell from the sky.
Ambitious Production Goals
Despite the setback, Xpeng wants to start production of the six-wheeled AeroHT ‘mothership’ and the eVTOL for paying customers by 2026. Prices will start at approximately 2 million yuan or about $281,000 at current exchange rates, and it’s said that the company has already received thousands of orders for the pricey recreational vehicles. The eVTOL can reportedly operate at up to 500 meters.
Both vehicles will be built at a 180,000-square-meter site in Guangzhou’s Development Zone. The new factory is designed to handle up to 10,000 units per year, underscoring the scale of Xpeng’s ambitions in taking mobility from the road to the sky.
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Jury awarded $329M after a 2019 Tesla crash killed Naibel Benavides Leon in Miami.
Tesla blames driver George McGee for ignoring warnings and overriding car’s safety systems.
Plaintiffs argue Tesla overstated Autopilot’s abilities, misleading drivers on system limitations.
Tesla has fought, and consistently won, court battles over its semi-autonomous Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (Supervised). That record changed recently when a Florida jury decided that the EV maker was partially to blame for a crash that ended in a fatality. Now, Elon Musk’s company is pushing for a new trial, arguing the verdict could stifle development of safety technologies.
A Fatal Florida Crash
The case stems from the death of 22-year-old Naibel Benavides Leon, who was killed in 2019 when a 2019 Model S slammed into a parked Chevrolet Tahoe in Miami-Dade county. Her boyfriend, Dillon Angulo, suffered serious injuries.
The driver, George McGee, admitted he dropped his phone, took his eyes off the road, and believed the car would brake on its own. At the same time, he conceded that he was negligent and placed too much trust in the car.
Jury Finds Tesla Partly Liable
Despite that, a jury found Tesla 33 percent liable, awarding $42.5 million in compensatory damages and a staggering $200 million in punitive damages. Jurors were reportedly swayed by the plaintiffs’ argument that Tesla overstated the capabilities of Autopilot, even as the company repeatedly warned drivers to stay alert and keep their hands on the wheel. According to CarComplaints, Tesla admits that the whole thing was a tragedy but says it was entirely the fault of McGee’s “extraordinary recklessness.”
Tesla Pushes Back
In its filing, the company said “No other car in existence would have stopped when the driver was telling it to ‘go.’” Tesla argued that McGee was “reckless in the extreme by ignoring or overriding every safety feature in his car,” including by pressing the accelerator pedal, which overrides the system’s cruise control and braking functions. There’s no question that this is a sticky situation, but Tesla makes a few interesting points.
“For as long as there have been cars, there have been reckless, self-absorbed drivers like McGee,” Tesla said. “Those drivers should face every legal consequence for their wrongful conduct. Holding Tesla liable for providing drivers with advanced safety features just because a reckless driver overrode them cannot be reconciled with Florida law. That rule would impede the development of safety features, deter progress, and cost lives both now and in the long run.”
The Bigger Question
Ultimately, all of this seems to stem from the nomenclature and advertising of Autopilot. Were it called something else and marketed differently, it would seem more difficult to blame Tesla at all. The automaker is asking the judge to either order a new trial or reduce the damages, a move that will weigh driver responsibility against driver-assistance technology. The outcome could make a huge impact in the future of automakers and their relationship with autonomy.
EQS prototype traveled 748.8 miles from Stuttgart to Malmo without recharging once.
The prototype finished the trip with 85 miles of estimated range still remaining.
Solid-state battery offers 25 percent more energy than standard pack, same weight.
For years, solid-state batteries have been viewed as the holy grail for battery-electric vehicles, promising better driving range, quicker charging, and improved safety. While it’s taken longer than many had predicted for solid-state battery packs to hit the market, Mercedes-Benz has demonstrated just how transformative the technology could be.
The German automaker is testing solid-state packs in specially prepared EQS prototypes. One of these cars recently drove from Stuttgart, Germany, through Denmark, and into Malmo, Sweden, covering an impressive 748.8 miles (1,205 km) on a single charge, without stopping to plug in.
Solid-State Advantage
Compared to the battery in a standard EQS, Mercedes says its solid-state pack delivers 25 percent more energy while remaining similar in weight and size. The pack was developed in partnership with Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains and the company’s F1 technology center in the UK, using lithium-metal cells supplied by U.S.-based Factorial Energy.
The 748.8 miles (1,205 km) driven in this EQS prototype exactly matches a recent Guinness World Record set by a Lucid Air Grand Touring, which covered the same 748.8 miles (1,205 km) on a single charge. What makes the feat notable is that Lucid’s car used a conventional 117 kWh lithium-ion battery, while Mercedes managed it with a solid-state pack that still had energy left over.
Range To Spare
Had Mercedes-Benz wanted to continue its journey with this EQS, it could have. They claim that at the end of the trip, the prototype had an estimated range of 85 miles (137 km) left. In theory, that means the electric sedan could have traveled up to 834 miles (1,342 km) without charging, well beyond anything currently on the market.
“The solid-state battery is a true gamechanger for electric mobility,” member of the board of management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Markus Schäfer, said. “With the successful long-distance drive of the EQS, we show that this technology delivers not only in the lab but also on the road. Our goal is to bring innovations like this into series production by the end of the decade and offer our customers a new level of range and comfort.”
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The new Cayenne EV will support inductive charging at speeds of up to 11 kW.
Drivers align over the pad and the suspension automatically lowers for charging.
The option will debut in Europe next year before landing in other markets.
Is plugging in your EV at home a little too difficult? Well, Porsche thinks it has the answer for you, announcing that the forthcoming all-electric Cayenne will debut with an optional inductive charging floor plate, meaning you’ll never have to deal with annoying charging cables ever again. That is, until you have to use a public charger, of course.
Porsche is not the only carmaker to have invested in wireless charging for its EVs, as Tesla’s upcoming Cybercab will also support inductive charging, and even the hybrid McLaren Speedtail included a compact charging pad several years ago. In the case of the electric Cayenne, it will support a receiver unit located between the front wheels, capable of supporting charging speeds of 11 kW.
How It Works
The floor plate contains all the necessary components to initiate charging over the air, although it does need to be plugged in with a cable. Charging will be as easy as driving the Cayenne EV above this plate and when the SUV is in position, the air suspension will automatically lower, reducing the distance between the two charging units to between four and six inches. Helping to guide drivers into the correct position will be the Cayenne’s Surround View parking function.
All energy transferred through the pad is monitored in the My Porsche app, giving owners an easy way to keep track of charging sessions.
Porsche has not said how quickly it will take to charge the electric Cayenne using the wireless charging pad, but 11 kW is the norm for standard household charging units, so it should be more than quick enough for a good overnight charge.
There’s also no word on how much the inductive charging will cost. What we do know is that it will launch in Europe next year before expanding to other regions, including North America.
About That Paint…
The carmaker will showcase the new system at next week’s IAA Mobility Show in Munich, Germany, alongside a camouflaged prototype of the electric Cayenne. The prototype features a striking fluorescent paint made up of five different tones, which glows with bright shades of light when exposed to alternating voltage.
Horse has introduced a new ultra-compact, range-extended powertrain.
It features a 1.5-liter engine, generator, inverter, and cooling package.
Available in naturally aspirated and turbo’d versions offering up to 161 hp.
Automakers who were singing the praises of electric vehicles have suddenly changed their tune and started belting out Ice Ice Baby. They’re now getting a little help from Horse, which has unveiled a new powertrain that makes it easy to convert fully electric vehicles into range-extended EVs.
Set to debut at the Munich Motor Show, the Horse C15 is billed as an ultra-compact range extender that is “no larger than a briefcase.” In fact, in naturally aspirated guise, it measures 19.7 inches (500 mm) long, 21.7 inches (550 mm) wide, and 10.8 inches (275 mm) deep.
While that’s massive for a briefcase, it’s surprisingly compact for a powertrain that consists of a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, a generator, inverter, and cooling package. It can be installed horizontally or vertically, and its small size means it could potentially fit into the ‘frunk’ of EVs.
This is where the genius of the idea lives as the C15 could be used to turn battery electric vehicles into range-extenders. This can be done with “minimal modification” and low costs, potentially saving automakers from an embarrassing EV-only mistake.
Horse says the C15 was designed to meet Euro 7 regulations and produces up to 94 hp (70 kW / 95 PS) in naturally aspirated form, which is designed for B- and C-segment vehicles. For larger models, there’s a turbocharged engine offering up to 161 hp (120 kW / 163 PS).The company also said the engine is capable of running on gasoline, ethanol and methanol flex fuels as well as synthetic fuels.
Horse Powertrain CEO Matias Giannini said, “Range extended EVs are the fastest-growing powertrain category in many global markets. The Horse C15 range-extender solution offers OEMs a straightforward and cost-effective way to tap into this opportunity, and adapt their native BEV platforms into REEVs.”
A trooper cited a Dodge Charger EV driver for a ‘loud exhaust’ it doesn’t have.
The owner insists another car made the noise while he waited at a red light.
Months later, the ticket still isn’t filed in court, leaving the case unresolved.
Driving a Dodge Charger EV brings with it a kind of freedom that feels both practical and kind of futuristic. No more waiting at gas stations, no scheduling oil changes, and certainly no crawling under the car to deal with exhaust leaks. What it doesn’t free you from, apparently, is the risk of being ticketed for having a “loud exhaust.”
That’s exactly what one owner just experienced despite the fact that the Charger Daytona doesn’t have an actual exhaust system at all.
What it does have is Dodge’s so-called Fratzonic exhaust system, which is marketing speak for speakers that emulate the sound and vibration of a gas-powered exhaust system. As fake exhaust noises go, it’s better than some. That said, the driver in this story was and is shocked that he could end up in this situation.
The driver in question is Mike from Distressed Media, and he recorded a recent interaction with a Minnesota State Trooper. In it, the officer tells Mike that he’s getting a ticket for having a “loud exhaust” and for “disturbing the peace.”
The Stop in Stillwater
Mike toldThe Drive that he was cruising through Stillwater, a city with a strict noise ordinance, when things went sideways. He was at a stoplight “about eight cars deep” when the lead car launched loudly. That’s when a state trooper across the intersection flipped around and pulled Mike over.
“The trooper stepped up and immediately told me my car’s exhaust was way too loud and was disturbing the peace,” Mike recalled. “I tried telling him it’s an EV and doesn’t have an exhaust or an engine, and he said he’s not gonna argue with me.” The trooper also ticketed him for not having a front license plate.
Things only get weirder from there, though.
Mike says the ticket is evidently not even in the system, several months after the stop. “I have called the courthouse every week for the last 10 weeks trying to schedule the court date/appearance, and still nothing,” he said.
Maybe the court recognizes how absurd it is to fine someone for the sound of an exhaust that doesn’t exist. Or maybe Mike hasn’t heard the last of it, and we’ll eventually see how the system tries to hold him accountable for a noise his car can only pretend to make.
New Low Power Model will disable things like Sentry Mode and cabin preconditioning.
If plugged in and charging, Sentry Mode will continue to work with Low Power Mode.
Tesla owners will still be able to access their vehicles using the brand’s smartphone app.
Imagine heading off on vacation, leaving your Tesla parked, and returning to discover the battery has quietly drained itself. It’s a frustrating scenario that owners have dealt with for years, but Tesla is finally rolling out a fix. The new feature is called Low Power Mode, designed to switch off energy-hungry systems when a car is left idle for an extended period.
Introduced with the 2025.32 software update, Lower Power Mode can be accessed through the main infotainment display, navigating through Controls > Charging, and then enabling it. When toggled on, the system shuts off some of Tesla’s most power-hungry features.
Cutting Back The Power Draw
The most important is Sentry Mode. While this system is handy to capture footage should a Tesla be damaged while parked, it’s been shown to quickly drain the battery pack. In addition to Sentry Mode being disabled, Low Power Mode turns off the Summon Standby system, cabin overheat protection, scheduled preconditioning, camp mode, the climate control, defrost functions, the seat and steering wheel heaters, and the power outputs on the Cybertruck.
Owners will be pleased to know that should they enable Low Power Mode while charging their EV, Sentry Mode will continue to function. The climate control and camp mode systems will also remain active when Supercharging.
Don’t Worry, Your Tesla Will Still Be Connected
Importantly, Low Power Mode does not make a new Tesla feel like an old car, far removed from AI, the cloud, or any of the systems that have become so commonplace in new cars. Instead, Tesla vehicles will still remain connected and accessible through the Tesla app. The car will also continue to automatically manage battery temperature.
Tesla has not specified by how much the new Low Power Mode will reduce battery drain, but it’ll likely vary on a case-by-case basis depending on which systems owners elect to keep active and where they park their vehicle, including the climate.
Either way, it’s good news for owners who would have otherwise been worried about returning from a vacation, only to find their Tesla’s battery had been drained.
China-based Dreame Technology wants to enter the automotive industry.
The company currently makes vacuum cleaners and household appliances.
They want to build an electric hypercar and pursue a top speed record.
Chinese automakers have been steadily pushing the limits of speed and track performance, often outpacing their Western rivals in recent years. Now, an unlikely challenger has joined the race: a company best known for its vacuum cleaners aims to build “the world’s fastest car.” Ambitious stuff for a brand that made its name chasing dust bunnies.
The company behind the plan is Dreame Technology, which refers to itself as the “Apple of China.” According to its website, Dreame’s current product lineup includes cordless and robotic vacuum cleaners, air purifiers, hair dryers, robotic lawn mowers, and pool cleaners. Founded in 2017, Dreame has since moved beyond its home turf, carving out a growing presence in the US and other international markets.
In a post on Chinese social media, Dreame laid out plans to enter the automotive world, following in the footsteps of tech groups like Xiaomi and Huawei. Unlike them, however, Dreame is aiming straight at the hypercar elite, setting its sights on Bugatti and Koenigsegg with a goal of chasing speed records.
It’s worth recalling that another company known for its vacuum cleaners, Dyson, once explored a Tesla-rivaling EV before shelving the project altogether as “not commercially viable.” Dreame clearly hopes for a different outcome.
The Ambitious Plan
According to the announcement, Dreame is not starting “from scratch”. Instead, the company plans to leverage China’s mature EV supply chain and manufacturing ecosystem, positioning itself “on the shoulders of giants.” That phrasing hints at potential collaborations with established suppliers or automakers, which could give the project more credibility than it might appear to have at first glance.
Dreame’s track record with innovation could work in its favor. By the end of last year, the company had filed more than 6,000 patents, some reportedly connected to electric vehicle technologies. According to Chinese media outlet Lyiou, Dreame Auto, the firm’s newly formed automotive division, already employs around 1,000 staff, including specialists from the vehicle manufacturing sector.
That figure sounds impressive, but whether it reflects the depth of expertise needed to challenge Bugatti or Koenigsegg is another matter entirely.
The same source indicates that the electric hypercar is set to debut in 2027. What remains unclear is whether the Bugatti-style silhouette shown in the official teaser represents the actual model in development. Either way, it will be worth watching to see if the finished product lives up to the ambitious vision behind it.
Record-Breaking Rivals
To understand what Dreame is up against, consider the current benchmarks. The official speed record for a production car is held by the SSC Tuatara, which hit 474.8 km/h (295 mph) in 2022. A prototype of the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ reached a top speed of 490.48 km/h (304.77 mph) back in 2019, but it didn’t count as a record because it wasn’t replicated in the opposite direction.
In August 2025, the BYD YangWang U9 Track Edition became the world’s fastest production EV, hitting an impressive 472.41 km/h (293.54 mph) at a test facility in Germany. The Chinese EV stole the record from the Rimac Nevera R, which had clocked 431.45 km/h (268.2 mph) in July 2025.
Below is a translated version of Dreame’s official announcement, shared with employees and the public:
Dear Dreame colleagues: Today, Dreame officially announces its plan to build the world’s fastest car. This was no light decision, nor was it a whim. From drafting our first car-building plan at Tsinghua SkyWorks in 2013 to now standing at the pinnacle of the global clean energy sector, we have spent twelve years waiting for Dreame’s “opportunity.”
We revere this industry. Car manufacturing is the crown jewel of industry, the ultimate battleground of technology, and a grueling, life-or-death expedition. Competition has become multi-faceted, all-encompassing, and high-intensity, challenging not only technological innovation and iteration speed but also system capabilities, supply chain integration, brand positioning, and global market insight. We understand that only with awe can we see the path forward clearly, and only with humility can we go further.
But we also believe that great dreams are born from fearlessness. We are fearless because we are clear-headed. We are not adventurers trying to “build from scratch,” but rather we stand on the shoulders of giants in Chinese manufacturing. Countless Chinese companies have, through decades of hard work, forged the world’s most mature electric vehicle supply chain and technology ecosystem.
Our mission is to achieve global optimization: using the right products, the right strategy, and the right pace to bring Chinese smart manufacturing to the world’s high-end market. We are fearless because we are uniquely born and bred in the global market. In China, we have become the undisputed leader in the cleaning sector. Globally, we hold the top spot in over 20 countries and regions. We consistently position ourselves at the high end, insisting on value over price.
We are one of the very few Chinese brands to quickly rise to the top in every market we enter. For this reason, we are often called the “Apple of China.” We know how to make global users pay for innovation and applaud our experience. This time, in the automotive sector, we will once again prove that Chinese brands can not only be high-end, but also become symbols of global consumer love. We are fearless because we are determined.
This is not a gamble, but a test. It will test all our past accumulation: technological research and development, organizational culture, global operations… We have made sufficient strategic preparations. But we also believe that the real barrier is not capital, but the ability to make the “right products.”
We will not waste a single penny on the wrong path. Fellow students, the automotive industry will be another full-scale explosion of our technological ideals and business acumen. We may not be the first to set out, but we will be the most determined. Because we are fearless, we dare to act; because we firmly believe, we arrive. Now, let’s set off together!
The 2026 Porsche Macan Electric debuts with a range of advanced tech-focused updates.
Buyers will find AI-enhanced Voice Pilot, digital key tech, and automated driving features.
Increased towing capacity joins AirConsole gaming for added versatility and entertainment.
The Porsche Macan Electric is getting even better for 2026 as the company has announced a host of upgrades. These include new features, AI integration, and an increased towing capacity.
While the updates are a bit scattershot, the Macan Electric is embracing digital key technology. This will enable iPhone and Android users to automatically unlock and start their vehicle, while leaving their phone in a pocket or purse. This is possible thanks to the use of Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) connectivity, and Apple Watch users can also get in on the action.
The technology also allows owners to easily ‘share’ keys with up to seven other users. Owners can determine if these users can simply access the vehicle or drive it.
New Automated Driving Features
Speaking of driving, the optional 3D Surround View system with Active Parking Support gains several new features including a Transparent Hood view. More interestingly, there’s a new Trained Parking function that enables owners to record individual parking routines such as pulling into a garage. After ‘learning’ the routine, the crossover can automatically perform it time and time again.
Another new addition is Reversing Assist, which allows the Macan to automatically reverse along a route it has previously driven forwards. The crossover remembers up to 160 feet (48.8 meters) and Porsche said this is useful for backing up in tight situations.
Sticking with the tech theme, the Porsche Charging Planner has been “optimized” and now allows owners to prioritize individual charging stations and providers. This implies customers could set up the system to favor Electrify America stations over rivals.
AirConsole Gaming
When you’re waiting for a charge or simply killing time, you can play games with the new AirConsole, which is accessible via the Porsche App Center. Smartphones can be used as controllers and games are typically played on the central infotainment system when parked. However, the optional front passenger display can also be used to play games when the vehicle is in motion and drivers shouldn’t be distracted due to Porsche’s integrated screen privacy feature.
AirConsole said owners can expect an assortment of “short-session, casual games optimized for the in-car environment” ranging from racing and trivia games to those involving sports. Among the more popular options are UNO and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
AI And Improved Towing Capacities
If you’re not in the mood to play, you can talk to your crossover via Voice Pilot. It promises to be smarter than ever before thanks to the integration of artificial intelligence. Porsche said the voice assistant now understands “complex, interrelated questions and recognizes what a statement is referring to.”
Rounding out the highlights is an increased towing capacity for the Macan 4, Macan 4S, and Macan Turbo. They can now tow up to 5,500 lbs (2,495 kg), which is a sizable increase of 1,100 lbs (499 kg). Customers will also find a handful of new customization options including new choices for the door sill guards and door courtesy lights.
The 2026 Macan Electric is currently available to order and U.S. deliveries will begin next spring.
The new batteries are being used shortly after Subaru launched the all-electric Uncharted.
Maxell’s solid-state cells use a ceramic-like electrolyte rather than a liquid one.
Subaru has previously needed to charge robot batteries every one or two years.
Advanced solid-state batteries have long been regarded as the holy grail for electric vehicles and Subaru has joined fellow Japanese brands Toyota and Nissan by working to implement these advanced new packs. However, rather than using them in any of its EVs, Subaru is instead utilizing solid-state batteries in robots which build engines and transmissions.
The batteries in question come from Japanese electronics firm Maxell Ltd and have been primarily used as backup batteries in industrial equipment, designed to protect against computer memory loss. These solid state cells, like those set to be used by future EVs, have a ceramic-like electrolyte rather than a liquid one. This makes them more energy-dense and allow them to support fast charging than traditional lithium-ion cells.
Why Robots Come First
Maxell’s batteries are less than 1 kWh in capacity, and therefore far too small to use in a vehicle. However, they have been adapted for use with Subaru’s factory robots which usually need battery changes every one or two years. These new batteries can last for up to 10 years.
According to Auto News, Subaru has already introduced the batteries into nine robots at its Oizumi engine and transmission plant north of Tokyo.
“By installing all-solid-state batteries in the industrial robots used at our factory, Subaru aims to reduce both industrial waste and maintenance work for industrial robots by utilizing the long battery life,” the company said in a statement.
Subaru’s EV Balancing Act
A few short months ago, Subaru acknowledged that it was “re-evaluating” its electrification strategy, becoming just the latest in a slew of car manufacturers that have become increasingly concerned with the slowing growth of EV sales in certain markets. However, it recently revealed its second EV for North America, named the Uncharted.
This is the brand’s take on the new electric Toyota C-HR but has a slightly more rugged design. The flagship model has a pair of electric motors that combine to deliver 338 hp and enable it to hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in 5 seconds.
Tesla has claimed that all of its EVs built since 2016 contained full self-driving hardware.
A judge criticized Tesla for failing to demonstrate a true long-distance self-driving capability.
The ruling could open the door for multiple class action lawsuits against the automaker.
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system, along with its ambitious claims, has repeatedly drawn the company into controversy, and it now faces yet another round. The company is once again facing legal trouble, this time after a U.S. District Judge in California ruled that Tesla must answer a certified class action alleging it misled drivers about the self-driving abilities of its vehicles. Tesla had argued the case should be dismissed, but the court disagreed.
The automaker has consistently promoted the idea that all vehicles it built since 2016 came equipped with hardware capable of full self-driving, albeit under supervision. These assurances were made across Tesla’s website, blog posts, social media channels, and directly by chief executive Elon Musk.
In practice, though, the cars have not lived up to those promises. Tesla also asserted that vehicles with its Full Self-Driving package would eventually deliver Level 4 and Level 5 autonomy, but neither has materialized.
Judge’s Assessment
U.S. District Judge Rita Lin noted that claims about Tesla vehicles lacking the necessary hardware for autonomous driving, combined with the company’s failure to “demonstrate a long-distance autonomous drive with any of its vehicles,” provide grounds for lawsuits brought by two groups of drivers.
Tesla does not engage in typical mass advertising, and the Judge noted that ordinarily, the channels it used to promote its self-driving hardware and software may not be “enough to establish a class-wide exposure for a traditional car manufacturer.”
However, she said it’s reasonable to infer that class members went to Tesla’s website for information on its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) technology. She added that thousands of people likely saw a claim on Tesla’s website from October 2016 to August 2024 that said its vehicles contained the hardware necessary for fully autonomous driving.
Tesla’s Defense
Tesla countered that it is unreasonable to assume all class members saw those statements. The automaker also argued there is no unified proof showing the claims were significant enough to influence purchasing decisions, according to Reuters.
The class actions in California include drivers who purchased the Full Self-Driving Package from May 19, 2017, to July 31, 2024, and who opted out of Tesla’s arbitration agreement, as well as drivers who purchased the package from October 20, 2016, to May 19, 2017.
In the US, Tesla’s arbitration clause requires all disputes to be resolved through arbitration rather than in court, unless a purchaser or lessee opts out of the clause within 30 days of buying or leasing a Tesla vehicle.
Tesla may switch graphics on AMD-powered Model S and X.
Update could add interactive, game-like 3D car renderings.
Rivian, Ford, Volvo, Lotus, and GMC already use Unreal Engine.
Tesla owners are about to get a big upgrade in their cabins. A hacker says that the automaker is about to switch from one set of visuals to another. The new set of graphics could be akin to some of the most impressive video games on the market today. Notably, it would also mean that Tesla is following the lead of brands like Rivian, Volvo, and Ford.
Unreal Engine is a 3D creation tool built by Epic Games, and as the name suggests, it’s largely used in video game development. In recent years, it’s become more of a mainstay in other areas of the world, and if a new report is correct, soon it’ll also be in Teslas. Long-time hacker GreenTheOnly revealed updates to code that indicate Unreal Engine graphics are coming soon to Model S and Model X.
“Tesla is adding Unreal Engine-based AP viz (the one you see today is Godot-based). The binaries are already shipping, starting from firmware 2025.20 only on AMD-based S and X cars for now,” he said in a post on X. After a bit of work, he managed to get the system working on the main infotainment screen.
It appears as though users will have the freedom to interact with the car graphic, spin it around, and open and close certain bits. We fully expect these same graphics to end up in the Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (Supervised) displays as well. One fan created what they expect it to look like, and you can see it below.
Cannot wait for tesla FSD Unreal Engine visual updates. Ray tracing on hw4 is gonna be bomb. pic.twitter.com/CD89WSCS7h
Interestingly, Tesla isn’t leading the way or breaking new ground here. Rivian, Ford, Lotus, Volvo, and GMC all use Unreal Engine already, says The Verge. In fact, many will remember that GMC highlighted the technology during the launch of the Hummer EV. It’s a main part of how the large pickup displays mode changes, status updates, and other general information. Considering how good the display looks, it will probably be a welcome addition for Tesla users in the near future.
Ok, I am having a bit of trouble getting unreal engine to activate on the cluster, but it looks like on the main screen the car avatar is also controlled by it. Now you can interact with it and it's getting somewhat more detailed. See the example: pic.twitter.com/6lpXr6BK0K
Rivian job listing hints at rear-wheel steering and steer-by-wire system development.
The R1T and R1S were only updated last year, so they may not receive the new tech.
Adding rear-wheel steering will help to reduce the turning circles of its EVs dramatically.
In addition to developing a steer-by-wire system, Rivian also appears to be working on rear-wheel steering, two features that could significantly impact how its EVs handle. That said, there’s no clear timeline for when these updates might roll out, so current Rivian owners probably don’t need to consider trading in their vehicles just yet.
News about Rivian’s latest developments doesn’t come from a press release or a comment made by an executive, but rather from a job listing that the automaker recently posted. In the listing, it says it is looking for an engineer to join the Vehicle Hardware Engineering – Chassis – Product Development team.
Their work will include the product development of important chassis steering hardware components, “such as steer by wire, rear wheel steering, and advanced ADAS steering technologies.”
Given that the current R1S and R1T are both big vehicles with a keen focus on off-roading, it’s somewhat surprising they don’t already have a rear-wheel steering system. The Tesla Cybertruck debuted with rear-wheel steering a couple of years ago, helping its maneuverability on tight trails, as well as in carparks and on the road.
Following In The Footsteps of Tesla and Lexus
Adding steer-by-wire also seems like a logical development for Rivian to make, allowing i t to completely remove any physical link between the steering wheel and the wheels. Like Tesla and Lexus, it would need to add redundancies in case the system fails. Steer-by-wire would also allow Rivian to adjust the steering ratio depending on vehicle speed, something both Tesla and Lexus have done.
As mentioned, there’s no word on when the systems could be ready, but if Rivian is only now starting work on them, they’ll likely still be a few years out. They could conceivably debut on the R1T and R1S, although they were only recently updated, meaning another significant update would be needed. The smaller R2 and R3 are also possible candidates for the new steering systems.
Following a night of heavy rain, Dakar’s flooded roads were gridlocked on the morning of our recent cleantech policy consultation, hosted by Senegal’s...
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