Tesla Is Pushing Robotaxi Features to Owner Cars with Spring Update
Tesla’s Spring 2026 software update (v2026.14+) adds a fully interactive rear‑seat navigation map to its consumer models, a feature previously limited to the Robotaxi fleet. The map lets back‑seat passengers view and control the route in real time while the car drives itself. Eligible vehicles include Model S, Model X, Model 3, Model Y, and the Cybertruck, with the new Signature Edition S and X Plaid set to receive it shortly after delivery. The rollout serves as a live test of the passenger experience for Tesla’s upcoming driverless Cybercab.
Waymo Opens Orlando Service, But Who Will Take Mickey Mouse to the Parks?
Waymo launched its autonomous ride‑hailing service to the public in Miami and Orlando, marking its first U.S. market expansion beyond the Bay Area. The company is still vying for a Disney World contract, with rival Glydways also in the running....
Self-Driving Cars and Changing Human Behavior
A Tesla owner reports daily use of Full Self‑Driving (FSD) on a Model S, with 98% of 850 miles driven autonomously. The system handles navigation, parking, and garage entry without driver input, relying on Google Maps for routing. Despite the seamless...
These Fatal Tesla Autopilot Crashes Can Tell Us a Lot About Self-Driving Tech
Tesla’s Autopilot, launched in 2015 and expanded to all models by 2019, has been linked to multiple fatal crashes over the past decade. Notable incidents include a 2016 Florida crash where the driver ignored wheel‑hand alerts, a 2021 California Model X...
Ukraine Exports Autonomy as Combat Data Fuels Growth of Physical AI
Ukraine’s combat data‑sharing initiative has become the largest real‑world stress test for autonomous systems, logging over 22,000 ground and aerial missions in the first quarter. AUTNMY AI’s OMEGA algorithm rates the battlefield data as the most underpriced asset in the...
CSIS Report | How Russia Is Building a Sovereign Drone Ecosystem for AI-Driven Autonomy
The Center for Strategic and International Studies released a report detailing how Russia is constructing a sovereign drone ecosystem that embeds artificial intelligence into unmanned systems. By aligning presidential‑level policy, a civilian innovation network, and battlefield feedback, Moscow accelerates the...
Royal Navy to Use Beehive Drones for Training and Ops
The Royal Navy confirmed that its 20‑boat Project Beehive fleet will move from test‑bed to operational use, supporting the Coastal Forces Squadron and 47 Commando Royal Marines. The programme, valued at £12.3 million (about $15.7 million), provides uncrewed surface vessels with open‑architecture...
Tesla’s Golden Era Is No Longer a Tagline
Tesla has begun rolling out its dedicated Robotaxi service and started production of the steering‑wheel‑less Cybercab at Giga Texas. The first unit left the line on February 17, 2026, and volume production is slated for May, with a target cycle...
Waymo Means Way Mo’ Cars, According To Uber Docs
Uber’s investor briefing downplays Waymo as a threat, arguing that autonomous taxis increase overall ride‑hailing demand rather than cannibalize existing trips. The company cites growth in Austin, Atlanta and San Francisco where Waymo’s presence coincided with higher Uber ride volumes. Uber’s...
Tesla Continues Slow Increase of Unsupervised Robotaxi in Austin – Now 13 Unsupervised
Tesla has expanded its unsupervised robotaxi fleet in Austin to 13 vehicles, up from a steady 8‑10 for the past two months. Three additional units were added in the last ten days, and the company projects roughly 20 unsupervised cars...
Inventors Have Looked to Perfect ‘Robot Umpires’ for Better Part of a Century
Major League Baseball officially launched an automated ball‑strike (ABS) system this season, ending a century‑long quest for robot umpires that began with a 1938 patent. The technology gives each team two challenges per game, letting players contest calls by tapping...
Tesla Optimus V3 Hand and Arm Details Revealed in New Patents
Tesla has filed a trio of patents that detail the V3 Optimus humanoid’s hand and arm, shifting actuators from the hand to the forearm and using a tendon‑driven architecture. Each finger offers four degrees of freedom while the wrist adds...
BMT Shares More Detail on MODUS Uncrewed Ship Concept
BMT detailed its MODUS concept, a modular family of uncrewed surface vessels ranging from 20 to 80 metres, aimed at sustained undersea operations. The design pivots on six principles—autonomy, modularity, availability, buildability, adaptability and affordability—and focuses on 30‑60 day missions...
Uncrewed Bluebottle Vessels Push Persistent Maritime Surveillance
Uncrewed Bluebottle vessels, powered by solar, wind and wave energy, can remain at sea for up to six months without refuelling. The Royal Australian Navy already operates 15 of the 24‑foot craft and has placed an order for 40 more,...
FORTNA Adds Jacobi Robotics’ Automated Palletizer to Its Portfolio
FORTNA announced a strategic partnership with Jacobi Robotics at MODEX 2026, adding the AI‑driven OmniPalletizer to its automation portfolio. The OmniPalletizer can create stable, rule‑compliant pallets from mixed‑case shipments without requiring upstream sequencing hardware or major facility redesign. By integrating...
Tesla Intertwines FSD with In-House Insurance for Attractive Incentive
Tesla has linked its Full Self‑Driving (Supervised) suite to its in‑house insurance, launching Safety Score 3.0 that automatically awards a perfect 100 score for every mile driven with FSD enabled. The update removes penalties for brief manual interventions, allowing drivers...
Former Xpeng Autonomous Driving Chief to Join Robotics Startup EngineAI
Former Xpeng autonomous‑driving chief Li Liyun has left the EV maker to join Chinese robotics startup EngineAI Robotics. EngineAI, founded by former Xpeng robotics head Zhao Tongyang, announced a $200 million Series B round that lifted its valuation above 10 billion yuan (≈ $1.47 billion)....
Autonomous Vessels Outperform Crewed Surveys, UDT Hears
Rear Admiral Angus Essenhigh of the UK Hydrographic Office reported that autonomous maritime systems outperformed a traditional crewed vessel in a side‑by‑side survey trial at UDT 2026. The crewed ship broke down and returned to port, while the autonomous fleet...
On the Effects of Artificial General Intelligence on Transport
The article explores how Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) could transform transport by eventually automating all modes—from cars and trucks to trains, planes, and ships. In the near term, humanoid robots may act as interim operators, allowing legacy fleets to stay...
210th Battalion Reformed Into Drone Battalion
Ukraine has restructured its Territorial Defense Forces, converting the 210th Territorial Defense Battalion into the 210th Unmanned Systems Battalion. The new unit is temporarily assigned to the 425th Assault Regiment, known as the Skelya Regiment, under the leadership of Konstantin Rusanov,...
Tesla Full Self-Driving Shows Stunning Maneuver in Europe to Silence Skeptics
Tesla’s Full Self‑Driving (FSD) system earned its first European public‑road approval in the Netherlands and quickly demonstrated the technology on narrow rural routes. In one clip the software steered onto a bike path to bypass a tractor that blocked half...
The Robot That Wants to Handle Every Bag in Every Airport
Azalea Robotics unveiled its autonomous baggage‑handling robot, ARC One, on The Road to Autonomy podcast. The mobile system uses suction grippers and computer‑vision to pick, scan and load bags onto carts without cages or fixed infrastructure. Designed to plug into...
Urbanists Hate Cars. Should They Hate Electric Robotaxis?
Forbes argues that while urbanists traditionally oppose personal cars, the rise of electric robotaxis could reshape that stance. Autonomous, electric fleets promise to cut private vehicle ownership, lower emissions, and improve road utilization. However, critics warn that robotaxis might increase...
Waymo Launches Sixth-Generation Robotaxi System
Waymo announced that its sixth‑generation robotaxi system is now operational, featuring a streamlined sensor suite that lowers per‑vehicle cost. The new platform relies on 17‑megapixel cameras and a reengineered short‑range lidar capable of centimeter‑scale detection of vulnerable road users. Waymo...
WeRide Launches Fully Driverless Robotaxi Service in Dubai
WeRide and Uber have rolled out a fully driverless, fare‑charging robotaxi service in Dubai’s Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah districts, accessible through the Uber app. The launch follows a supervised trial that began in December 2025 and a driver‑less trial permit granted by...
DOT Moves to Clear Regulatory Path for Vehicles Without Steering Wheels
The U.S. Department of Transportation is proposing to strip federal vehicle standards that mandate human controls, clearing a path for fully autonomous cars and trucks. NHTSA is fast‑tracking Amazon‑owned Zoox’s request to operate up to 2,500 purpose‑built robotaxis without steering...
Renesas Scalable Automotive SoC Design Using Arteris NoC
Renesas has integrated Arteris FlexNoC interconnect IP into its next‑generation Gen‑5 R‑Car automotive SoCs. The NoC fabric links Arm CPU clusters, GPUs and neural‑processing accelerators, delivering scalable bandwidth and deterministic QoS for advanced ADAS and autonomous‑driving workloads. Power consumption drops...
Ecovacs Unveils New Robot Vacuum with Water Jets to Target Stains with AI
Ecovacs introduced the Deebot X12 OmniCyclone, a premium robot vacuum that adds AI‑driven water‑jet stain removal to its cleaning arsenal. The device uses cameras and machine‑learning to spot dried‑on marks and blasts them with a cleaning solution before the mop...
At Shield AI, a Young Product Guru Fights for God & Country
Armor Harris, a 33‑year‑old product veteran, now serves as senior vice president of aircraft at defense‑tech firm Shield AI. After a decade at SpaceX where he earned Elon Musk’s confidence, Harris was recruited to rejuvenate Shield AI’s autonomous fighter‑jet portfolio....
Herne Set to Become First Lloyd’s Register-Certified XLAUV
BAE Systems’ Herne, an extra‑large autonomous underwater vehicle (XLAUV), is on track to become the first platform certified under Lloyd’s Register’s Unmanned Marine Systems (UMS) Code and classified under its Submersibles and Diving Systems rules. The certification process, led by...
First Humanoid Robot With Embodied Intelligence For High-Risk Jobs Enters Service
China has deployed its first embodied‑intelligence humanoid robot for high‑risk industrial work. Weighing about 90 kg, the robot uses a magnetic chassis to climb metal walls and features 15 degrees of freedom with dual arms for tasks such as precision welding,...
Airbus Preps Kratos Drone for European Mission System Flight
Airbus is equipping two Kratos Valkyrie unmanned combat aircraft with its Multiplatform Autonomous Reconfigurable and Secure (MARS) mission system, targeting a first flight with the European system later this year. The integration aims to give the German Air Force a...
Transforming in Contact: The Army Needs an Unmanned Systems Command Now
The U.S. Army’s Transformation in Contact initiative calls for a dedicated Unmanned Systems Command (USAUSC) to embed drones at every level. Lessons from Ukraine’s rapid adoption of low‑cost commercial drones show how bottom‑up acquisition and integrated data networks can deliver...
Tesla 2026 Spring Update Drops 12 New Features Owners Have Been Waiting For
Tesla rolled out its Spring 2026 OTA update, delivering twelve new features across Full Self‑Driving, voice AI, safety lighting, dashcam storage and pet‑mode customization. The revamped Self‑Driving app lets owners subscribe to FSD with a single tap and view real‑time...
AEVEX (AVEX) IPO Deck
Aevex (ticker AVEX) unveiled an IPO presentation on April 13, 2026, signaling its intention to list on a major U.S. exchange. The defense‑technology firm specializes in advanced unmanned aerial and maritime vehicles used by military and intelligence customers. The deck highlights a...
Build Your Virtual Warehouse Before Spending a Single Dollar
GreyOrange unveiled GreyMatter Foundry, an AI‑powered immersive simulator that lets users design, size, and layout warehouse automation without spending capital upfront. The platform integrates with GreyOrange’s existing GreyMatter orchestration, which already manages over 130,000 agents and processes 250,000 trips daily....
Southeastern Researchers Demo Support-Free Five-Axis Robotic FFF
Southeastern Louisiana University researchers demonstrated a six‑axis robotic fused filament fabrication (FFF) system that employs non‑planar slicing and five‑axis toolpaths to print support‑free parts. By integrating a UFACTORY xArm 850 robot with a custom Rhino‑Grasshopper slicer, the workflow generates point‑to‑point motions...
Zero Entry: The Next Frontier of Mining Robotics and Automation
Jake Harris’s latest column introduces "zero entry" mining, a vision where underground operations run entirely without human presence. He outlines how advances in autonomous drilling rigs, AI‑driven fleet management, and sensor‑rich environments are converging to make human‑free production zones feasible....
Waymo Ojai Spotted in Truckee Doing Snow Test Drives
Waymo’s Ojai robotaxi, fitted with snow chains, was spotted in Truckee, California, conducting snow‑driving tests. The vehicle carried a safety driver as it navigated winter streets outside Waymo’s 11 current service metros. The trial targets validation of the Waymo Driver...
NSTB Findings on Ford BlueCruise Crashes
The NTSB released findings on two fatal crashes involving 2022 Ford Mustang Mach‑E SUVs using the BlueCruise hands‑free system. In both incidents, drivers were distracted—one by navigation, the other by alcohol and a phone—and the vehicles failed to engage automatic...
Zoox With Weather Sensor Spotted
Zoox’s autonomous test vehicle was photographed in San Francisco equipped with a Campbell Scientific CS120A Present Weather and Visibility sensor, recognizable by its Viking‑horn‑like antenna. The sensor, previously spotted on Zoox prototypes two years ago, now appears on vehicles operating...
Europe’s First Robotaxi Launches on Uber as NYC Stalls Waymo
Uber and Volkswagen’s MOIA have begun on‑road validation for the ID, paving the way for Europe’s first commercial robotaxi service launched on Uber’s platform. In the United States, Waymo rolled out fully driverless rides in Nashville, covering a 60‑square‑mile area...
Deep Dive WeRide: Business Model, Unit Economics, Fleet Data, Financials and More
WeRide, one of China’s leading autonomous‑vehicle firms, now operates five distinct AV products in 12 countries and holds driverless permits in eight. The company’s revenue model blends asset‑light robotaxi services with higher‑margin robobuses and robosweepers, differentiating its China and international...
Zelensky's Interceptor Drones Deployed Across Eurasia, Now Shooting Down Iranian Shaheds
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian drone specialists have helped five Gulf states build low‑cost interceptor‑drone air defenses and have already shot down Iranian Shahed UAVs in the region. The $20,000 interceptor drones provide a cheap counter to Shahed drones...
Tesla FSD Supervised Approved in Netherlands
Tesla’s Full Self‑Driving (FSD) Supervised system earned type approval from the Dutch vehicle authority (RDW) after more than a year and a half of on‑track and public‑road testing. The regulator highlighted continuous driver monitoring as a safety advantage over competing...
Red Cat Wants 3D Printed Drone Boats for On-Demand Delivery
Red Cat, a U.S. startup, plans to mass‑produce autonomous drone boats using large‑format 3D‑printed hulls. The company will adapt Ukraine’s naval drone technology for on‑demand logistics, partnering with 3D‑print service Haddy to fabricate near‑net‑shape hulls. While 3D‑printed boats have existed...
Nio Supplier Seyond Reaches 1 Million LiDAR Delivery Milestone
Seyond, the LiDAR supplier for Nio, announced it has shipped over one million units, with 750,000 Falcon and 250,000 Robin models delivered. First‑quarter shipments jumped 340% year‑on‑year to about 181,400 units, and the company expects full‑year 2026 deliveries to rise...
Robotics Is Key to Lower Costs, Faster Deliveries, Says Amazon CEO
In his 2025 shareholder letter, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy highlighted robotics as a core lever to cut costs and speed deliveries. The company now runs more than 1 million robots in fulfillment centers and has acquired RIVR and Fauna Robotics to...
NTSB Takes Aim At Level 2 Systems: Weekly Connected and Autonomous Vehicle News
The National Transportation Safety Board released a report blaming SAE Level 2 semi‑autonomous systems for two fatal 2024 crashes involving Ford Mustang Mach‑E models and called for tighter oversight. In parallel, Waymo halted its New York City robotaxi trials after its...
Tesla Hits FSD Hackers with Surprise Move
Tesla has begun remotely disabling Full Self‑Driving (FSD) on vehicles fitted with third‑party CAN‑bus hacks that unlock the feature in markets where it is not approved. The crackdown, announced in early April, targets owners in Europe, China, Japan, South Korea...