Category: Automotive

China’s 10-passenger electric aircraft, the Matrix, hints at how big flying taxis can be A glimpse of what the future of flying taxis might look like can be seen in this southeastern Chinese city. Go to techxplore

Waymo’s robotaxis now being dispatched in 10 major U.S. markets with expansion in Texas and Florida Waymo will begin dispatching its robotaxis in four more cities in Texas and Florida, expanding the territory covered by its fleet of self-driving cars to 10 major U.S. metropolitan markets. Go to techxplore

Fast ride, higher bill: Why shared e-mopeds may widen suburban transport costs Saving on rent often means paying on time. In many suburban areas, limited rail access and infrequent, often delayed bus services make everyday travel difficult. Shared electric mopeds (e-mopeds) have emerged as a new form of micromobility well suited for trips that are…

Counter-drone technologies are evolving—but there’s no surefire way to defend against drone attacks When the Federal Aviation Administration closed the airport in El Paso, Texas, and the airspace around it on Feb. 10, 2026, the cause was, ironically, the nearby use of a technology that could be key to keeping airports and airspace open and…

Data from a Swedish rail switch may reduce train delays in cold climates Rail commuters in cold climates like Sweden’s are all too familiar with winter train delays and cancellations. The culprit is usually rail switches that freeze up or clog with snow even though they’re heated. A new study offers a more affordable and…

Carney scraps Canada EV sales mandate, affirms auto sector’s future is electric Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday canceled a mandate for all vehicles sold in Canada to be electric by 2035, while announcing major investments to support the auto industry’s EV transition. Go to techxplore

America is falling behind in the global EV race. That’s going to cost the US auto industry At the 2026 Detroit Auto Show, the spotlight quietly shifted. Electric vehicles, once framed as the inevitable future of the industry, were no longer the centerpiece. Instead, automakers emphasized hybrids, updated gasoline models and incremental efficiency improvements. Go…

Tesla granted more time in US investigation into its self-driving tech U.S. regulators have granted a five-week extension for Tesla to respond to allegations that its vehicles have broken traffic laws while operating in what the electric automaker calls “full self-driving” mode. Go to techxplore

Q&A: Will self-driving cars reduce traffic injuries? Researchers examine promising data Driverless vehicles haven’t yet taken to Canadian roads, but they’ve already rolled out in some other countries. Proponents say the technology will mean fewer accidents, while others have raised concerns about safety, liability and public acceptance, among other issues. Go to techxplore

With some help from AI, your next move can be predicted AI might know where you’re going before you do. Researchers at Northeastern University used large language models, the kind of advanced artificial intelligence normally designed to process and generate language, to predict human movement. Go to techxplore

Review: These are the best plug-in hybrids for under $55,000 If an electric car stirs your interest but the lifestyle changes sound daunting, consider a plug-in hybrid. A plug-in hybrid is simply a rechargeable hybrid, with a larger battery than a standard hybrid that enables a short range of fully electric driving. A regular hybrid…

Passengers’ brain signals may help self-driving cars make safer choices Cars from companies like Tesla already promise hands-free driving, but recent crashes show that today’s self-driving systems can still struggle in risky, fast-changing situations. Go to techxplore

Railroads will be allowed to reduce inspections and rely more on technology to spot track problems The nation’s freight railroads are going to be able to try relying more on technology and inspect their tracks in person less often after the federal government approved their waiver request on Friday. Go to techxplore

High-speed rail moves millions throughout the world every day, but in the US its future is bumpy High-speed rail systems are found all over the globe. Japan’s bullet train began operating in 1964. China will have 31,000 miles (50,000 kilometers) of high-speed track by the end of 2025. The fastest train in Europe goes almost…

Airlines adopt software fix for Airbus A320 after plane has sudden altitude drop Airlines around the world canceled and delayed flights heading into the weekend to fix software on a widely used commercial aircraft after an analysis found the computer code may have contributed to a sudden drop in the altitude of a JetBlue plane…

‘Robot’ buses could bring more environmental benefits than public transport with drivers Autonomous self-driving cars and taxis are already on the roads of San Francisco and Beijing. There are also autonomous tram-style services around Oxfordshire and Dubai. Go to techxplore

New AI language-vision models transform traffic video analysis to improve road safety New York City’s thousands of traffic cameras capture endless hours of footage each day, but analyzing that video to identify safety problems and implement improvements typically requires resources that most transportation agencies don’t have. Go to techxplore

AI-based system successfully suppresses shipboard oil fires autonomously A next-generation fire suppression system capable of autonomously detecting oil fires aboard naval vessels and precisely targeting and extinguishing them even in maritime environments has been developed domestically for the first time. Go to techxplore

Nation’s largest fleet of police Cybertrucks to patrol Las Vegas The nation’s largest police fleet of Tesla Cybertrucks is set to begin patrolling the streets of Las Vegas in November thanks to a donation from a U.S. tech billionaire, raising concerns about the blurring of lines between public and private interests. Go to techxplore

New drivetrain technology for off-road vehicles moves safely in difficult terrain Wet meadows, steep slopes, and loose ground often present a challenge to agricultural vehicles. A new drive system that gets off-road vehicles safely through difficult terrain has been developed by researchers of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) together with a partner from industry. It…

Renaissance artists’ vanishing points illuminate autonomous vehicles An artificial intelligence (AI) technology has been developed to enable camera-based autonomous vehicles to perceive their surroundings more accurately. This innovative approach utilizes the geometric concept of the vanishing point—an artistic device that conveys depth and perspective in images. Go to techxplore

Pedestrian deaths at midblock bus stops found to be up to 5 times higher Bus transportation is an essential part of nearly every public transit system. From school students to everyday workers, riders depend on buses to transport them to the essential destinations. Because most passengers start or end their journey by walking, providing safe…

Pro-cycling crashes can be bad, but evidence suggests slower bikes aren’t the answer It might seem counterintuitive in a sport built around speed, but the world governing body for competitive cycling wants to slow elite riders down. Go to techxplore

Ex-McLaren boss could take the wheel at Porsche The former head of British supercar maker McLaren could take over as CEO of Porsche, the German firm said Friday, as it struggles with weak demand and a troubled shift to electric cars. Go to techxplore

E-cargo bikes can replace car trips and reshape family travel Electric cargo (e-cargo) bikes can replace many car journeys, from school runs to shopping trips and family outings, according to new research. They also have the potential to shift how families and communities perceive cycling, making it a more practical and inclusive everyday option. Go…

Tesla offers cheaper versions of 2 electric vehicles in bid to win back market share in tough year Tesla rolled out new, cheaper versions of two of its electric car models on Tuesday in hopes the offerings will help revive flagging sales. Go to techxplore

Research shows Portland transit-oriented developments reduce car trips, especially at affordable housing sites New research from Portland State University’s Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC) shows that transit-oriented developments (TODs) in the Portland metro area generate far fewer car trips than standard estimates suggest—especially at sites that include affordable housing. Go to techxplore

Will electric tractors gain traction? At a pilot event for farmers, researchers see possibilities In the soft dirt of an indoor horseback riding ring last month, a group of farmers got ready to test drive a new piece of equipment: an electric tractor. Go to techxplore

Rented e-bicycles present more danger than e-scooters in cities, study reveals E-scooters have often been identified as more dangerous than e-bikes, but that picture changes when they are compared on equal terms. A recently published study from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, shows, in fact, that the crash risk is eight times higher for e-bikes…

Tesla’s self-driving mode is coming to Australia amid controversy—but it won’t create true driverless cars Tesla is expected to soon turn on its “Full Self-Driving (Supervised)” (FSD) mode in Australia and New Zealand. Go to techxplore

Wind tunnel enables testing of advanced air mobility aircraft wing The advanced air mobility industry is currently working to produce novel aircraft ranging from air taxis to autonomous cargo drones, and all of those designs will require extensive testing—which is why NASA is working to give them a head-start by studying a special kind of…

Czech driverless train hits open track A rail line linking two northern Czech towns is testing Europe’s first driverless train operating in an open environment, its developer told AFP on Tuesday. Go to techxplore

China’s Baidu to deploy robotaxis on rideshare app Lyft Chinese internet giant Baidu plans to launch its robotaxis on rideshare app Lyft in Germany and Britain in 2026, pending regulatory approval, the two companies said on Monday. Go to techxplore

Underpaying and overusing our roads: The true cost of driving If you’ve ever been stuck in gridlocked traffic on the 405 or circled the block looking for parking in L.A., you’ve experienced the kinds of problems Michael Manville has spent years researching and trying to solve. Go to techxplore

What in-flight turbulence is and when it becomes dangerous for passengers and crews A Delta Air Lines flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam that was hit by serious turbulence Wednesday, sending 25 people on board to hospitals and forcing the flight to divert to Minnesota, highlighted the dangers of flying through unstable air. Go…

Renault profits slump as competition intensifies French automaker Renault said Thursday that the tough retail and commercial van market in Europe had squeezed profits although it was able to maintain profitability better than many rivals. Go to techxplore

Trump’s EPA is targeting key vehicle pollution rules. What that means for carmakers The Environmental Protection Agency’s plan this week to relax rules aimed at cleaning up auto tailpipe emissions is the latest Trump administration move to undo incentives for automakers to go electric. Go to techxplore

Tata Motors to buy Italy’s Iveco for $4.4 bn Tata Motors of India will buy Italy’s Iveco Group for 3.8 billion euros ($4.4 billion) in a bid to create a “global champion” in the commercial vehicles sector, the two companies said Wednesday. Go to techxplore

Five expert tips to make cross-country EV driving easy The idea of a cross-country road trip in an electric vehicle might seem daunting. After all, it’s not hard to envision getting stranded on the side of the road with a depleted battery or being stuck in a parking lot, charging for hours. But there are…

Uber invests $300 mn in Lucid Motors in robotaxi push Ride-hailing giant Uber announced Thursday it will acquire $300 million worth of shares in US electric vehicle maker Lucid Motors as part of an ambitious plan to build its own fleet of robotaxis. Go to techxplore

What the ‘black box’ can tell us about plane crashes A preliminary finding into last month’s Air India plane crash has suggested the aircraft’s fuel control switches were turned off, starving the engines of fuel and causing a loss of engine thrust shortly after takeoff. Go to techxplore

Driving assistance systems could backfire: Some warning alerts can lead to more hazardous driving In recent years, every new car driver has been getting used to bells and beeps. As automakers try to make cars safer, they’ve introduced increasingly sophisticated driving assistance systems, to warn a driver when they’re drifting out of their lane or…

Volkswagen halts electric minivan exports to the United States German auto giant Volkswagen said Thursday it had suspended deliveries of its electric minivan ID. Buzz due to a technical issue amid reports the decision was influenced by costly US tariffs on cars. Go to techxplore

Tesla reports lower car sales, extending slump Tesla reported another hefty drop in auto sales Wednesday, extending a difficult period amid intensifying electric vehicle competition and backlash over CEO Elon Musk’s political activities. Go to techxplore

US following up on possible Tesla robotaxi infractions US safety regulators contacted Tesla after its self-driving cars stopped abruptly, sped or swerved into the wrong lane as the company began limited robotaxi service, US officials said Tuesday. Go to techxplore

Tesla expected to launch long-discussed robotaxi service Tesla is expected to begin offering robotaxi service Sunday in Austin, an initial step that Elon Musk’s backers believe could lead to the company’s next growth wave. Go to techxplore

Road crash injuries are on the rise in Australia—how can we stop them? Hospitalization rates for road crashes have steadily increased over the past 10 years, with men, regional communities and pedestrians bearing the brunt. Go to techxplore

NASA aircraft to make low-altitude flights in mid-Atlantic, California From Sunday, June 22 to Wednesday, July 2, two research aircraft will make a series of low-altitude atmospheric research flights near Philadelphia, Baltimore, and some Virginia cities, including Richmond, as well as over the Los Angeles Basin, Salton Sea, and Central Valley in California. Go to…

E-bikes and e-scooters are popular—but dangerous. A transport expert explains how to make them safer Last weekend a pedestrian in Perth tragically died after being struck by an e-scooter. Go to techxplore

Chinese automakers get stern ‘price war’ warning after discount spree A top industry group had a stern rebuke Saturday for automakers fueling a “price war,” a week after Chinese EV giant BYD announced sweeping trade-in discounts, with multiple competitors following suit. Go to techxplore

AI model pinpoints sources of driver stress, paving the way for smart driving assistants In 2024, 1,040 accidents were recorded on Spanish roads, in addition to minor collisions and other driving problems. The causes of these accidents include speeding, adverse weather conditions and substance abuse, but also distraction and stressful situations that can be mitigated…

Screens, drones, massages: Shanghai flaunts the future of cars At the huge Auto Shanghai industry show this week, the chatter was less about powerful engines and more about cutting-edge technology and passenger comfort. Go to techxplore

Foreign carmakers strive for ‘China Speed’ to stay in race In fluid synchronization, dozens of robotic arms picked up metal parts and welded them onto vehicle beds, as car skeletons gradually took shape and progressed along an automated factory floor near the eastern Chinese city of Ningbo. Go to techxplore

Tesla could benefit the most from new rules on reporting of self-driving car crashes Rule changes announced by the Trump administration this week could allow automakers to report fewer crashes involving self-driving cars, with Tesla potentially emerging as the main beneficiary. Go to techxplore

California proposes allowing testing of self-driving heavy-duty trucks California regulators have released a new proposal to allow the testing of self-driving heavy duty trucks on public roads. Go to techxplore

EVs, tariffs in the spotlight as Chinese automakers take leading role at Shanghai auto show Leading automakers are showcasing their latest designed-for-China and the world models at the Shanghai auto show this week, fighting not to be edged aside in the world’s largest car market while watching for U.S. President Donald Trump’s next steps in…

Ford ‘adjusts’ some exports to China due to tariffs Citing the US-China trade conflict, Ford said Friday it has “adjusted” its exports to the country, where the US auto giant operates manufacturing jointly with local partners. Go to techxplore

A fond farewell: NASA’s C-130 begins new mission in California NASA’s C-130 Hercules, fondly known as the Herc, went wheels up at 9:45 a.m., Friday, April 18, as it departed from its decade-long home at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, for the final time. The aircraft is embarking on a new adventure to serve…

Tesla sales tumble in Europe in the first quarter Tesla sales kept falling in March in many European markets as it suffered from a double blow of boycotts against the policies of its founder Elon Musk and an aging model lineup. Go to techxplore

Jaguar looks to woo younger, richer drivers with $160,000 Type 00 Jaguar’s ambition to seduce younger, richer drivers was on full display in Paris with a presentation of its newest prototype, the Type 00, which promises all-electric luxury… at a steep price. Go to techxplore

New blow to German auto sector as Audi announces job cuts Premium carmaker Audi said Monday it will cut 7,500 jobs by 2029 in Germany, citing “immense challenges” as the country’s auto industry battles slowing electric vehicle demand and rising Chinese competition. Go to techxplore

Cadillac win final approval for F1 place in 2026 Cadillac have received final approval to become the 11th team in Formula One from the 2026 season, motorsport’s governing body the FIA and F1 announced on Friday. Go to techxplore

Tesla shares fall on weak China auto sales Shares of Tesla tumbled Tuesday following data showing a big drop in auto sales in China, adding to recent losses amid backlash to CEO Elon Musk’s alliance with US President Donald Trump. Go to techxplore

Self-driving cars learn to share road knowledge through digital word-of-mouth An NYU Tandon-led research team has developed a way for self-driving vehicles to share their knowledge about road conditions indirectly, making it possible for each vehicle to learn from the experiences of others even when they rarely meet on the road. Go to techxplore

Experts say debate on e-mobility overshadows the real problem: Cars get too much space In the Netherlands, we face an increasing diversity of vehicles on the bike paths, from (e-)cargo bikes, (e-)mopeds to fatbikes. This leads to concerns about crowding and safety. Accidents and conflicts between these different forms of mobility are common. The crux…

Suicide or accident? The hidden complexities of intentional road crashes in Australia In Australia, fatal road crashes are climbing again, especially since the pandemic, and despite years of attempts to reduce road trauma, the numbers remain stubbornly high. Go to techxplore

Musk risks putting EU buyers off Tesla: analysts Elon Musk’s rapprochement with US President Donald Trump, his backing of European far-right parties and attacks on diversity policies could drive European buyers away from Tesla, analysts say. Go to techxplore

A scientific approach based on traffic patterns and commuter mobility can optimize bike lane planning When it comes to opinions about bike lanes, few of us are stuck in neutral. Love them or hate them though, new research says a dose of scientific rationality can help locate them in the best places. Congestion is minimized…

Can self-driving cars navigate roundabouts? Roundabouts, circular intersections that grant right of way to drivers inside the circle, are an increasingly common feature of U.S. roads—in part because they reduce both traffic delays and accidents. However, they rely on the judgment of drivers to ensure traffic flows smoothly, which raises the question: can driverless vehicles…

Q&A: Researcher discusses transportation insecurity in Detroit and beyond More than a third of Detroit residents (36%) can’t get from place to place in a safe or timely manner. Go to techxplore

Researchers propose AI-driven solution for smarter traffic management A new method for managing urban traffic at multi-intersection networks is discussed in the International Journal of Information and Communication Technology. The research promises improvements in efficiency and adaptability, and by combining technologies could address the long-standing challenges of congestion and unpredictable traffic patterns in dense urban…

Pittsburgh-based autonomous truck company hits safety hangup with feds After years of preparations, Aurora Innovation’s big launch of autonomous trucks in Texas is facing an unlikely stumbling block: safety triangles. Go to techxplore

Five facts about electric vehicles in 2024 Electric vehicles had another whirlwind year around the globe, driven by buyers in China, and growth in parts of Europe and the United States, despite headwinds. Go to techxplore

What a merger between Nissan and Honda means for the automakers and the industry Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan will attempt to merge and create the world’s third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. Go to techxplore

Volkswagen boss hails cost-cutting deal but shares fall Volkswagen’s chief executive welcomed a deal to slash jobs and reduce production capacity in Germany without the need to close factories, but the car giant’s shares fell heavily on Monday. Go to techxplore

Stellantis backtracks on plan to lay off 1,100 at US Jeep plant Stellantis confirmed Saturday it was reversing a decision to lay off 1,100 workers at its Jeep plant in the US state of Ohio, following the ouster of embattled chief executive Carlos Tavares. Go to techxplore

Japan’s Honda and Nissan to begin merger talks: Report Japanese auto giants Honda Motor and Nissan Motor will enter talks on a merger aimed at helping them compete against Tesla and other electric vehicle makers, newspaper Nikkei reported early Wednesday. Go to techxplore

Test facility unveils digital twin, making its physical AV testing facility available for free in the virtual world The first open-source digital twin of the Mcity Test Facility—the University of Michigan’s test center for connected and autonomous vehicles and technologies—is now available to the public, giving researchers around the world a new free tool. Go…

Biden administration to loan $6.6B to EV maker Rivian to build Georgia factory that automaker paused President Joe Biden’s administration announced Tuesday that the U.S. Department of Energy will make a $6.6 billion loan to Rivian Automotive to build a factory in Georgia that had stalled as the startup electric vehicle maker struggled to become…

Distractions slow the reaction time of automated vehicle remote drivers by over five seconds, new research has shown.