Key Legal Insights from Foley’s Automotive Team Analysis by Julie Dautermann, Competitive Intelligence Analyst KEY DEVELOPMENTS - President Trump announced he will raise U.S. import tariffs on European cars and trucks to 25% from 15% if the 27-member bloc does not formally approve by July 4, 2026 a previously negotiated framework trade deal. - As of May 11, the Trump administration was issuing more than $35.5 billion in refunds to importers whose tariff-refund claims were approved after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the president’s IEEPA-based tariffs were unlawful. - A federal appeals court temporarily paused a decision that had found President Trump’s new global tariffs—imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act—were unlawful. - In a recent letter, seven major automotive trade associations urged the U.S. Trade Representative to extend the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), rather than pursuing separate bilateral deals. - Automotive News provided an update on the Trump administration’s potential priorities for USMCA negotiations with Mexico. - A number of key stakeholders in the Canadian auto industry expect USMCA negotiations to extend past the July 1, 2026 timeline for the agreement’s scheduled review. - GlobalData revised its 2026 U.S. light-vehicle sales forecast to 16.0 million units, representing a downward adjustment of approximately 100k units. The stand-off between the U.S. and Iran was cited as the reason for the revision, and GlobalData stated, “While we continue to assume that a solution will eventually be found and that oil prices will fall later in the year, there is enough uncertainty to lead us to be more cautious with the 2026 forecast.” - Analysts and oil executives warned that shortages of key fuels in certain markets, and escalating prices,are a growing risk in the coming weeks if shipping does not resume in the Strait of Hormuz. OEMs/SUPPLIERS - More than 60 auto
May 19, 2026 · via jdsupra.com
What failed at Minnesota Capitol: IVF coverage, gun safety, autonomous vehicle bills ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Lawmakers wrapped up a busy session at the state capitol, but some of the biggest debates are far from over. Gun safety, school security and other major proposals stall What we know: Parents and students from Annunciation visited the capitol early in the session to push for gun safety changes after a shooting at their school. "No one should have to go through what we went through at Annunciation," said Lydia Kaiser, a survivor of the mass shooting, during a February committee hearing. Despite their efforts, proposals to ban assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, ghost guns and binary triggers failed to pass. "There being ten ayes and ten nays, the motion does not prevail," lawmakers announced after a key vote. House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson said, "Outside of this building, no one thinks that you need a 100-round magazine to go deer hunting. People understand that that's a reasonable thing to restrict, but here it is highly controversial, which is astounding." Republican Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth pointed out that these gun safety bills failed on party-line votes both in committee and on the House floor. She also noted that Democrats blocked some security funding for private schools. "We had some schools that wanted the ability to have dollars available for facilities. So that when you think of a school that maybe doesn't have an intercom at the front door a camera or something like that," said Demuth. Lawmakers also debated help for families and businesses impacted by Operation Metro Surge, and Republicans pushed for authorizing and regulating autonomous vehicles and lower car tab fees. "We wanted to go back to what the car tab fees were before the Democrat trifecta," said
May 19, 2026 · via fox9.com
Today, facing ever-increasing pressure on schedule reliability, many container terminals have already automated much of their yard operations. Quay cranes, however, still rely heavily on manual control, which can limit overall productivity. Drawing on ABB’s expertise in system integration and artificial intelligence, ABB’s Waterside Automation solution increases the level of automation in quay crane operations over the vessel, making the process more consistent and reducing interruptions caused by manual interventions. A key feature is that the solution enables decoupling of the operator from individual quay cranes. Instead of directly controlling challenging activities like picking up and setting down containers over the vessel, operators will be able to supervise the process and manage multiple cranes from an office environment, allowing terminals to introduce quay crane pooling. This also helps improve workforce flexibility. ABB’s Waterside Automation solution integrates vision- and movement-based sensor technologies with data analytics and AI to control container position, crane movements, and the vessel environment in real time. Based on this data, the system can automatically execute lifting and positioning tasks while ensuring safe and consistent crane operations under changing conditions, including vessel movements both alongside and across the quay, as well as the impact of weather. It also connects with other handling processes and operator interfaces, helping to coordinate container flows and increase operational efficiency across the terminal. While similar sensor- and AI-based technologies have been developed and deployed in urban environments, such as semi-autonomous vehicles in public transport systems, ABB has adapted and validated these capabilities specifically for container terminal operations. Crucially, the solution integrates exception handling, stowage confirmation, optical character recognition (OCR), and digitalized work instructions into a coordinated system. This reduces the need for manual verification between steps and supports consistent execution across the full crane cycle. “ABB, as a system integrator, is in a
May 19, 2026 · via oceannews.com
Gasgoo Munich- XPENG Inc. officially rolled out its first mass-produced Robotaxi vehicle in Guangzhou on May 18, marking what the company describes as China's first Robotaxi production program developed entirely through a full-stack in-house automotive platform. Image source: XPENG The milestone highlights XPENG's push to vertically integrate autonomous driving hardware, software, AI models, and vehicle engineering as competition in China's Robotaxi sector intensifies. According to an executive from XPENG's Robotaxi division, the company plans to launch demonstration operations in the second half of this year as it accelerates the commercialization of its autonomous mobility business. During the launch event, XPENG representatives emphasized that the Robotaxi service is designed to combine premium in-cabin comfort with advanced AI-powered autonomous driving functions. The vehicle features privacy glass, reclining zero-gravity seating, and a rear entertainment display capable of automatically deploying for passengers. Occupants can access trip information, stream entertainment content, adjust cabin settings, and interact with XPENG's in-car voice assistant, “Xiao P,” creating an experience the company says is intended to feel safer, more intelligent, and more luxurious than traditional ride-hailing services. Built on XPENG's flagship GX platform, the Robotaxi is equipped with four in-house developed Turing AI chips delivering a combined computing power of 3,000 TOPS, which the company claims represents the highest onboard computing capability currently available in a production vehicle globally. The vehicle also integrates XPENG's second-generation VLA large AI model, enabling Level 4 autonomous driving functions under designated operating conditions. XPENG received regulatory approval in January to conduct intelligent connected vehicle road testing in Guangzhou, allowing the company to begin regularized Level 4 public-road testing operations. In March, the automaker formally established a dedicated Robotaxi business unit responsible for overseeing product planning, development, testing, and operational deployment as it pushes toward commercial rollout. Unlike many competing autonomous driving systems, XPENG's
May 19, 2026 · via autonews.gasgoo.com
- United States - / - Transportation - / - NasdaqGS:LYFT Lyft Broadens Mobility Platform With UK Entry Autonomy And EV Charging - Lyft agreed to acquire Gett's UK business, marking its entry into the UK rideshare market. - The company plans to launch autonomous vehicle operations in Nashville this fall. - Lyft entered a European partnership with Freenow that focuses on EV charging infrastructure. Lyft, traded as NasdaqGS:LYFT, is moving beyond its core US ridesharing base with a push into the UK, autonomous vehicles, and European EV charging. The stock closed at $13.37, with the share price down 32.4% year to date, down 20.2% over the past year, and up 65.1% over the past three years. For investors tracking transportation platforms, these moves highlight how Lyft is positioning itself across more geographies and technologies tied to autonomous driving and electrification. The mix of UK expansion, the Nashville autonomy launch, and the Freenow partnership provides several concrete areas to watch as the company executes on its broader mobility plans. Stay updated on the most important news stories for Lyft by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on Lyft. 📰 Beyond the headline: 2 risks and 3 things going right for Lyft that every investor should see. For Lyft, the Gett UK acquisition, the Nashville autonomous launch, and the Freenow charging partnership all point in the same direction: a broader mobility platform that is less tied to any single city or technology. The UK deal gives Lyft instant scale in a mature rideshare market where Uber and Bolt already compete, while the Freenow and Wallbox charging tie up connects Lyft to a largely electric and hybrid driver base across 180 European cities. In Nashville, supporting autonomous operations through Flexdrive and partners such
May 19, 2026 · via simplywall.st
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May 19, 2026 · via youtube.com
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A planned groundbreaking for the new Holon autonomous vehicle manufacturing facility in Northwest Jacksonville came and went, and a month later, there’s still no word when it will happen. Back in March, the company announced it had officially gained recognition as a transit vehicle manufacturer. Holon secured a $7.5 million incentive package from the city in 2024, promising to invest $100 million in the city and build a manufacturing plant here. Those city dollars are contingent on the company investing at least $80 million by the end of 2026. One of the first big steps forward was supposed to be breaking ground on the massive facility in April, but it never happened. Now, more than halfway through May, Holon told Action News Jax its commitment to Jacksonville remains unchanged, but added, “As industrialization must be aligned with confirmed customer demand, we are currently proving our technology in real-world operations and will scale manufacturing to match demand”. Councilmember Rory Diamond (R-District 13) argued Jacksonville was supposed to be the demand, given JTA committed more than $40 million to purchase 100 Holon shuttles to replace its current fleet of NAVI shuttles. The local manufacturing plant has been one of the main selling points of JTA’s Ultimate Urban Circulator and autonomous vehicle transit system. “This is all built on a pile of sand and we need to get out of this as fast as possible,” said Diamond. We asked JTA whether it is reconsidering its plans for autonomous transportation and if the agency had any idea why the Holon factory hadn’t broken ground. The agency did not address the first part of our question, and referred us to Holon for questions about the factory. Holon did not reply when we followed up and specifically requested an updated project timeline. Diamond
May 19, 2026 · via actionnewsjax.com
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A planned groundbreaking for the new Holon autonomous vehicle manufacturing facility in Northwest Jacksonville came and went, and a month later, there’s still no word when it will happen. Back in March, the company announced it had officially gained recognition as a transit vehicle manufacturer. Holon secured a $7.5 million incentive package from the city in 2024, promising to invest $100 million in the city and build a manufacturing plant here. Those city dollars are contingent on the company investing at least $80 million by the end of 2026. One of the first big steps forward was supposed to be breaking ground on the massive facility in April, but it never happened. Now, more than halfway through May, Holon told Action News Jax its commitment to Jacksonville remains unchanged, but added, “As industrialization must be aligned with confirmed customer demand, we are currently proving our technology in real-world operations and will scale manufacturing to match demand”. Councilmember Rory Diamond (R-District 13) argued Jacksonville was supposed to be the demand, given JTA committed more than $40 million to purchase 100 Holon shuttles to replace its current fleet of NAVI shuttles. The local manufacturing plant has been one of the main selling points of JTA’s Ultimate Urban Circulator and autonomous vehicle transit system. “This is all built on a pile of sand and we need to get out of this as fast as possible,” said Diamond. We asked JTA whether it is reconsidering its plans for autonomous transportation and if the agency had any idea why the Holon factory hadn’t broken ground. The agency did not address the first part of our question, and referred us to Holon for questions about the factory. Holon did not reply when we followed up and specifically requested an updated project timeline. Diamond
May 18, 2026 · via actionnewsjax.com
Waymo has its autonomous Jaguar I-Paces in a bunch of cities these days, one of those being Atlanta, Georgia. Unfortunately for residents of the Buckhead neighborhood north of the city, a gaggle of Waymos recently decided to make the residential area’s cul-de-sacs a must-see location on their daily rounds. Numerous videos posted online and boosted by news outlets show a number of Waymos without passengers continuously circling the cul-de-sacs in Buckhead. There’s no discernible reason why these Waymo vehicles were choosing to do this. Local Atlanta news outlets like WSB-TV Atlanta and AJC covered the happenings, with one resident telling WSB-TV that they counted 50 cars in just an hour of observation. At one point, a resident put a "kid crossing," sign up to try and direct the Waymos away from the area, but the Waymos kept coming. Instead of circling the cul-de-sacs, they then became stuck in a traffic jam trying to figure out how to turn around. Road & Track reached out to Waymo to learn why the autonomous I-Paces were behaving this way, and we received an official statement from the company: “At Waymo, we are committed to being good neighbors. We take community feedback seriously and have already addressed this routing behavior. With over 500,000 weekly trips across the country, our service is proven to significantly reduce traffic injuries and improve road safety. We value our relationship with Atlanta residents and remain focused on providing a seamless, respectful, and safe experience for riders and residents alike.” Waymo also told Road & Track that its vehicles in Atlanta are managed by Uber, and that it is working with Uber to prevent this from happening in the future. Additionally, it said that this activity shouldn’t come at the expense of the neighborhood’s peace of mind. Taking a look
May 18, 2026 · via roadandtrack.com
Florida's NextEra Energy to acquire Dominion, creating a utility giant NextEra Energy, one of the largest power companies in the United States, on Monday announced plans to acquire Dominion Energy, in an all-stock deal that could transform the power industry as it races to supply electricity needed to fuel the booming growth of artificial intelligence. The all-stock transaction will create the "largest regulated electric utility" in the world. More from CBS News, the New York Times, and Reuters. Florida gas prices decline as millions prepare for Memorial Day travel Florida gas prices fell 20 cents last week. As of Sunday, the state average for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel went from $4.43 per gallon to $4.23 per gallon, according to AAA. Those prices are still higher than the $3.06 per gallon consumers paid about this time last year. The most expensive metro market remains West Palm Beach-Boca Raton at $4.42. More from the South Florida Sun Sentinel. California defense company targets Central Florida expansion A California-based company is part of a wave of new local investment and growth from the aerospace and defense sector. The Orlando City Council approved May 11 $150,000 from its Strategic Targeted Recruitment Incentive for Valued Employment (STRIVE) Orlando Program for Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc. The $67 million investment will create more than 100 jobs by 2032, according to city documents. More from the Orlando Business Journal. Jacksonville officials silent on status of Holon manufacturing plant After plans for an April groundbreaking came and went for Holon’s Northwest Jacksonville manufacturing facility, officials for the autonomous transportation company and Jacksonville’s city government have shared no details on what could come next. Holon, a German-based autonomous vehicle manufacturer, committed to make a $100 million capital investment into the facility planned at Eastport Exchange in North
May 18, 2026 · via floridatrend.com
Car dealers across the country are navigating one of the most complicated regulatory and competitive environments in recent memory. Brokers are operating outside the law in states where the practice is banned. The FTC is cracking down on dealers over pricing transparency. And the long-term shape of the franchise system itself is being tested by direct-sales brands. Joining us on today’s Inside Automotive episode to discuss all of those issues and more is Laura Perrotta, President of the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJ CAR). Perrotta says illegal broker activity in her state is putting pressure on dealers, and little is being done to stop it. NJ CAR pres.: Brokers operating outside the law Brokering has been illegal in New Jersey for decades. But Perrotta says the problem is getting worse, not better, and franchised dealers are the ones taking the hits. Unlicensed operators are selling new vehicles across the state without holding a dealer license. Perrotta says they are difficult to track and harder to shut down. At the same time, manufacturer stair-step programs are adding to the broker problem. Those programs, which are also illegal in New Jersey, put pressure on dealers to hit volume targets. That mix, she says, creates conditions that make broker activity more attractive and harder to police. "We have brokers making deliveries out of their driveways. Meanwhile, down the street, one of our Kia dealers is building a $20 million facility." Several manufacturers have sent letters to N.J. dealers notifying them that broker-related transactions will not count toward sales volume or incentive programs. But Perrotta says that’s not enough. NJ CAR is pressing the state’s new Motor Vehicle Commission head to take action by conducting direct inspections of broker operations and fining anyone selling new vehicles without a proper license. FTC’s pricing
May 18, 2026 · via cbtnews.com
XPeng stock dips as company launches first mass-produced Robotaxi and eyes humanoid robot production by 2026
XPeng's stock fell 3.49% to $15.07 amid broader market declines after announcing the rollout of its first mass-produced Robotaxi, a key step in its autonomous vehicle strategy. The company plans pilot Robotaxi operations in late 2026 and aims for ful...
May 18, 2026 · via pluang.com
Brian Plancher, assistant professor of computer science, will work with the Toyota Research Institute on a long-term project to help make human interactive driving and autonomous vehicles safer and more responsive, particularly in inclement conditions. Plancher is among a new cohort of researchers announced May 18 who will receive three-year grants through TRI’s University Research Program to work on technologies that advance artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced driving, and material science. The program, TRI, which is headquartered in Los Altos, Calif., with an office in Cambridge, Mass., pairs university researchers with a Toyota co-investigator “to ensure that fundamental research and real-world application evolve together.” Plancher’s team at Dartmouth will work with TRI Senior Research Scientist Thomas Lew in using advanced computing tools to design new technologies that will enhance the ability of autonomous vehicles to make reliable maneuverability and reaction decisions, particularly under challenging road conditions. “Current autonomous vehicles are often restricted to conservative maneuvers because standard algorithms fail at the physical limits of handling, particularly in challenging conditions like wet or icy roads,” Plancher says. “If you hit black ice and you’re sliding out, this is a moment where it would be great if the car could help you avoid a crash.” Skidding out on black ice, it turns out, is very similar to drifting or racing a car. So Plancher and his team are developing robust new algorithms that they will deploy to autonomously control racecars on a test track. “The goal is to build a controller that can enable the racecar to autonomously drift and race through challenging conditions like water puddles,” says Plancher. Such a system could then be adapted into passenger cars to reliably support human drivers as they navigate unexpected, dangerous conditions. What makes these conditions difficult to design controls for is that the friction
May 18, 2026 · via home.dartmouth.edu
Mt. Juliet pushes forward with major road projects to keep with growth MOUNT JULIET, Tenn. (WZTV) — Mt. Juliet continues to grow rapidly, but with that growth comes a problem many drivers know all too well: traffic. City leaders say they understand the frustration and are now pushing forward with several major transportation projects aimed at improving traffic flow and preparing for the city’s future growth. Mayor James Maness says one of the biggest projects in the works is a brand-new Interstate 40 interchange at Central Pike — a project that’s been discussed for decades. “That interchange has been discussed and part of planning since 1998,” Maness said. “It’s really beyond time, a generation beyond when it should have gone to construction.” The city recently secured a $24.6 million Federal Highway Administration grant to help move the interchange project forward. According to Maness, that funding comes with a construction deadline that could actually speed up the timeline. “The grant itself has a construction requirement that we go to construction by 2029 or we lose $24.6 million,” Maness said. “So it’s turning out to be a real good situation for us in those terms, that we can get that construction date moved up.” Along with the new interchange, several other road improvement projects are either underway or in development across Mt. Juliet. Those projects include widening Central Pike, South Mt. Juliet Road, Lebanon Dirt Road, Golden Bear Gateway, and East Division Street. Maness says once improvements to South Mt. Juliet Road are completed, the roadway will become multi-lane from the north end of the city to the south end. “We’ve got a number of projects,” Maness said. “Those are just the bigger ones that we’re working on. There’s tons of smaller ones for us — traffic lights, coordination, turn lanes here
May 18, 2026 · via fox17.com
XPENG launches China's first mass-produced Robotaxi with L4 autonomy in Guangzhou
XPENG has officially launched its first mass-produced Robotaxi in Guangzhou, marking the first time a Chinese automaker has fully developed and mass-produced a Robotaxi with Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities. The Robotaxi, built on the XPENG GX...
May 18, 2026 · via pluang.com
New Tennessee law lets Nashville police ticket Waymo driverless cars NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A new Tennessee law now allows local law enforcement to cite driverless cars, such as Waymo. Waymo has been in Nashville for a little over a month, and the driverless cars have been caught on camera having issues on the roadways. FOX 17 News also found dozens of complaints for Waymo cars ranging from traffic hazards to near crashes. The legislation passed with bipartisan support, and Governor Bill Lee signed it into law on April 13, 2026. How will it work? Sponsor of the bill Senator Mark Pody told FOX 17 News police would get the driverless car's license plate and issue a ticket to the owner of the vehicle, such as Waymo. This would be by mail. He said that the ticket of a citation or violation must be sent within 20 business days, and the ticket must be paid within 30 days of when it was mailed. If there is no action, then the next step is court. "All the members in the General Assembly that represent Davidson County, as well as the Mayor's office and the Mayor, we came to the agreement that there should be something done to make sure that law enforcement would be able to actually ticket a driverless vehicle," said Pody. Pody added that the ticket would be for traffic violations, including crashes, although no serious injuries or crashes have been reported so far, according to MNPD. Pody doubled down by saying if there were serious injuries or a crash, this is the first step to address issues, but is looking into possible legislation to address liability for deadly crashes next legislative session. "I just want to make sure that they're very safe going forward," said Pody. WAYMO sent
May 18, 2026 · via fox17.com
Waymo continues Miami expansion amid robotaxi incidents and recall - Waymo has pushed to expand its services in the Miami metro this year. Meanwhile, incidents of vehicles stalling in the area have continued. - Most recently, what appeared to be an unoccupied Waymo hit a guard gate barrier arm outside a condo community, said the Miami Sheriff's Office - More than 3,700 Waymo robotaxis were recently recalled, after a report found that the vehicles may slow when they come across a possible untraversable flooded lane, rather than fully stop. Waymo, a company that operates cars with self-driving capabilities, has pushed to expand its services in the Miami metro this year while vehicle stalling incidents have continued. Waymo vehicles have encountered issues in South Florida several times this year, according to reporting by NBC — most recently, video appeared to show a Waymo lingering outside a condo community, and the Miami Sheriff's Office said the unoccupied autonomous vehicle hit a guard gate barrier arm. Previously, one of the robotaxis paused along a roadway after it may have misinterpreted nearby police lights as a traffic stop, according to Miami Police. Additionally, more than 3,700 Waymo robotaxis were recently recalled, after a report found that the vehicles may slow when they come across a possible untraversable flooded lane, rather than fully stop. Where is Waymo taxi service in South Florida? In January, Waymo launched Florida services in Coral Gables, Brickell, Wynwood, Little Havana and Coconut Grove, among other areas. Recently, coverage expanded to include Surfside, Bal Harbour and Miami Beach. In April, Waymo announced it was beginning to “introduce highway travel” in the region. “Every expansion and progression to open access reflects our belief that the best way to serve a city is to keep earning its trust, ride by ride,” reads a
May 18, 2026 · via heraldtribune.com
Waymo continues Miami expansion amid robotaxi incidents and recall - Waymo has pushed to expand its services in the Miami metro this year. Meanwhile, incidents of vehicles stalling in the area have continued. - Most recently, what appeared to be an unoccupied Waymo hit a guard gate barrier arm outside a condo community, said the Miami Sheriff's Office - More than 3,700 Waymo robotaxis were recently recalled, after a report found that the vehicles may slow when they come across a possible untraversable flooded lane, rather than fully stop. Waymo, a company that operates cars with self-driving capabilities, has pushed to expand its services in the Miami metro this year while vehicle stalling incidents have continued. Waymo vehicles have encountered issues in South Florida several times this year, according to reporting by NBC — most recently, video appeared to show a Waymo lingering outside a condo community, and the Miami Sheriff's Office said the unoccupied autonomous vehicle hit a guard gate barrier arm. Previously, one of the robotaxis paused along a roadway after it may have misinterpreted nearby police lights as a traffic stop, according to Miami Police. Additionally, more than 3,700 Waymo robotaxis were recently recalled, after a report found that the vehicles may slow when they come across a possible untraversable flooded lane, rather than fully stop. Where is Waymo taxi service in South Florida? In January, Waymo launched Florida services in Coral Gables, Brickell, Wynwood, Little Havana and Coconut Grove, among other areas. Recently, coverage expanded to include Surfside, Bal Harbour and Miami Beach. In April, Waymo announced it was beginning to “introduce highway travel” in the region. “Every expansion and progression to open access reflects our belief that the best way to serve a city is to keep earning its trust, ride by ride,” reads a
May 18, 2026 · via news-journalonline.com
A new technology has emerged that turns the interior of autonomous vehicles into an immersive virtual reality (VR) space for games and education. A Korean research team developed an in-car extended reality (XR) technology that converts the vehicle’s real motion into changes in the VR environment, reducing motion sickness while enhancing immersion. Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) Professor Seungjun Kim and his team in the School of Integrated Technology for Artificial Intelligence announced on the 18th that they have developed a 'Force Mappings' VR technology that transforms a vehicle’s physical motion into visual and spatial changes in a VR environment. The research results were presented at 'ACM CHI 2026', an international conference on human-computer interaction held in Barcelona, Spain, from April 13 to 17. Existing in-car VR systems mainly synchronized the camera viewpoint or scene movement with the vehicle’s motion. This created a discrepancy between the physical sensations felt by the body during acceleration, deceleration, and turning, and the visual information in the VR display, which in turn induced motion sickness. The research team introduced the concept of Force Mappings, which converts motion occurring during vehicle driving into changes in 'dynamic conditions' within the virtual environment. Acceleration, deceleration, turning, and road vibration of the vehicle are detected in real time using an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and a global positioning system (GPS), and then transformed into VR elements such as falling objects, spatial shaking, waves, and wind intensity. In comparative experiments between the conventional VR method and Force Mappings, applying Force Mappings improved immersion and situational awareness while reducing motion sickness. Immersion increased when, instead of reproducing the vehicle’s forces as they are, the direction and intensity of motion were adjusted to match human sensory perception. When acceleration and deceleration were expressed more strongly as changes in ground
May 18, 2026 · via dongascience.com
One of Britain’s most promising autonomous vehicle firms is deploying its technology overseas this year, as potential UK buyers wait for others to use it first. In his first interview since becoming chief executive in March, Paul Newman, co-founder of Oxa, says he had hoped more UK companies would “lean in” and be early adopters of the technology. Despite raising $103 million from investors in March including $50 million from the government’s National Wealth Fund, Newman says he expected the first full rollout of its industrial mobility autonomy systems to take place on a site in the Middle East this autumn. Oxa’s systems can be integrated into new vehicles and retrofitted to existing ones. It specialises in vehicles such as lorries and towing vehicles that are used in ports, large industrial complexes and airports, which is a $31 billion global market. Its software and hardware make the vehicles autonomous, saving the operators hundreds of thousands of pounds in labour costs. Newman, 53, a professor in information engineering at the University of Oxford, says: “It will probably start through an export opportunity that we have. We built it here. We are going to be operating it in a different country. I really would like your readers to be going, ‘That just sounds mad. Surely in all of our ports, all of our airports and all of our yards, we should be getting on this programme.’” He says the use of autonomous systems to control vehicles on industrial sites is “inevitable”, but that it will not happen overnight and needs partners willing to work with it over time. Oxa has proven that its system can be deployed safely, securing early this year a European CE safety mark for the deployment of its systems in a four-wheel electric tow tug with an eight-tonne
May 18, 2026 · via thetimes.com