Tesla owners who have been patiently waiting to bridge the gap between the latest autonomous driving software and the vehicle's core user interface are about to get their wish. For the past month, a split has existed in the Tesla fleet. Owners on the mainstream branch have been enjoying the feature-packed Spring 2026 Software Update, while those on the cutting-edge Full Self-Driving (FSD) branch have been left without the latest features. It looks like that is finally about to change. When asked on X when FSD v14.3 would finally merge with the new Spring Update features, Kalena Brown, a member of Tesla's AI development team, responded simply with a GIF that said "Soon." This highly anticipated merge will not only give users currently on FSD v14.3 the latest cabin features from the spring release, but it will also give mainstream users already on the Spring 2026 Software Update access to the latest FSD build. The FSD version itself is expected to remain holding steady at 14.3.2. The Massive Spring 2026 Feature Drop Tesla’s Spring 2026 Software Update was exceptionally heavy on upgrades, essentially arriving on par with the company's major annual holiday releases. First rolling out under firmware version 2026.14 last month, it brings a host of new features and improvements to the cabin experience for supported vehicles. Among the standout features is a brand-new, dedicated Self-Driving app that consolidates your subscriptions, tutorials, and detailed usage stats into one clean dashboard. The update also introduces a native, hands-free "Hey Grok" wake word for xAI's in-car assistant, allowing for voice-activated, location-based reminders and more. Families and tech enthusiasts will also love the rebranded Pet Mode featuring custom name and avatar options, interactive navigation maps for rear-seat passengers, and higher-quality studio-style parked visualizations for the new Model 3 and refreshed Model Y.
May 16, 2026 · via notateslaapp.com
Autonomous taxis continue to divide public opinion, and a viral TikTok is adding even more fuel to the debate surrounding self-driving rides. This time, the conversation is not about a crash, a traffic stop, or a robotaxi freezing in the middle of an intersection. Instead, it centers on something surprisingly simple: sitting in the driver’s seat. Waymo, the self-driving taxi company owned by Alphabet Inc., has become one of the most recognizable names in autonomous transportation. Its driverless Jaguar I-PACE vehicles operate in several major cities and are designed to transport passengers without a human behind the wheel. But despite the futuristic setup, there is still a steering wheel and driver’s seat inside the vehicle. Naturally, some riders are tempted to test boundaries, especially when curiosity and social media collide. That is exactly what happened in a now-viral video posted by TikTok user Steph, known online as @sunnysteph7. The clip has racked up millions of views after showing a passenger briefly climbing into the driver’s seat during a Waymo ride, only for the company to respond almost immediately through the vehicle’s speaker system. Waymo Quickly Shut Down the Ride The video starts with a man climbing over the center console and into the driver’s seat of the autonomous taxi. Moments later, the car’s remote support system responds. A Waymo representative can be heard warning the passengers that they were violating the company’s terms of service and that the ride may be canceled. The passenger quickly moved back into the front passenger seat, but the message was clear: the driver’s seat is off limits. Waymo’s rider policies explicitly prohibit passengers from sitting behind the wheel, even though no human is actually driving the vehicle. The company allows riders to sit in the front passenger seat or the rear seats, but the
May 16, 2026 · via autos.yahoo.com
Innoviz Technologies Ltd., a leading supplier of high-performance, automotive-grade LiDAR sensor platforms, today announced a new software development agreement with a leading autonomous driving technology company. Under the agreement, the parties will evaluate on-sensor LiDAR perception capabilities for the InnovizTwo LiDAR platform and deliver a development plan. The collaboration extends Innoviz's LiDAR embedded software to potentially deepen Innoviz's role within the existing LiDAR supply relationship. As autonomous vehicle programs advance toward series production, OEMs require that perception capabilities extend beyond the central compute stack and execute directly on the sensor itself. This on-sensor approach is designed to deliver standardized, safety-critical outputs that operate independently of the vehicle's broader processing architecture, a design consideration for the most demanding autonomous applications. The agreement engages Innoviz to evaluate these capabilities natively within the LiDAR it provides, generating additional perception capabilities that may integrate directly into the partner's autonomous vehicle architecture. "Being selected to evaluate perception software on top of an existing LiDAR supply role is a strong signal that what we have built is being recognized across the full autonomy stack," said Omer Keilaf, CEO and Founder of Innoviz Technologies. "This is Physical AI in practice, with intelligence that lives in the sensor itself, acting on the real world in real time. The fact that a leading autonomous driving program has chosen Innoviz for both the hardware and the evaluation for development of embedded perception reflects the confidence the industry is placing in our technology, and we are proud to be contributing to the future of autonomous vehicles at this level." TrendForce 2026 Infrared Sensing Application Market and Branding Strategies Release: 01 January 2026 Format: PDF / EXCEL Language: Traditional Chinese / English Page: 168 | If you would like to know more details , please contact: |
May 16, 2026 · via m.ledinside.com
ICYMI: Two lawmakers have introduced legislation to tighten restrictions on Chinese automakers in the U.S. General Motors cuts hundreds of IT jobs as the automaker reshapes its workforce strategy. The United Autoworkers paused plans for a strike authorization vote at Stellantis’ Sterling Heights, Michigan, plant. Toyota is seeking approval to build a new $2 billion manufacturing plant in Texas. New-vehicle inventory held steady in April as automakers lean on incentives to push remaining 2025 stock. Here’s a closer look at these top stories and more headlines to stay on top of this week’s automotive industry news. Lawmakers seek permanent ban on Chinese automakers in U.S. Two U.S. House lawmakers are introducing bipartisan legislation to permanently tighten restrictions on Chinese automakers and connected vehicle technology in the United States, citing national security and supply chain concerns. Reps. John Moolenaar and Debbie Dingell plan to introduce the measure Monday ahead of President Donald Trump’s trip to China for trade discussions. Read More GM cuts hundreds of IT jobs as automaker reshapes workforce strategy General Motors is cutting hundreds of salaried IT positions as the automaker restructures its workforce and reduces costs, while continuing to invest in artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicle development, and other future-focused technology roles. GM began layoffs on Monday, affecting approximately 500 to 600 salaried IT employees worldwide. Most of the impacted workers are located in Austin, Texas, and Warren, Michigan. Read More UAW halts strike authorization vote at Stellantis plant after outsourcing agreement The United Auto Workers (UAW) paused plans for a strike authorization vote at Stellantis’ Sterling Heights Assembly Plant after union leaders said the automaker resolved grievances tied to outsourced skilled trades work, easing tensions at one of the company’s most important truck production facilities. UAW Local 1700 President Michael Spencer confirmed the development in a May
May 16, 2026 · via cbtnews.com
Tesla has revealed new details about two robotaxi crashes in which remote teleoperators were actively involved in controlling or assisting vehicles during incidents, shedding further light on the challenges facing the company’s autonomous driving ambitions. The disclosures emerged through newly unredacted crash reports filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). According to reports, the crashes occurred in Austin, Texas, between late 2025 and early 2026 while Tesla was testing or operating its robotaxi service. In one incident, a remotely assisted vehicle reportedly struck a metal fence after a teleoperator attempted to maneuver the car when the autonomous system stalled. The crash caused minor injuries to a human safety monitor inside the vehicle. In another case, a robotaxi collided with a construction barricade during remote intervention, resulting in vehicle damage but no reported injuries. The newly disclosed reports are significant because Tesla had previously requested regulators redact portions of its robotaxi crash data, arguing the information contained confidential business details. The latest filings provide one of the clearest indications yet that Tesla relies on remote human operators — sometimes referred to as teleoperators — to support its autonomous vehicles in difficult or ambiguous driving situations. Industry experts note that remote assistance is not uncommon in the autonomous vehicle sector, but Tesla’s approach appears more hands-on than many competitors. Companies such as Waymo generally use remote personnel to provide guidance or suggestions rather than directly controlling vehicles during live road operations. Reuters previously reported that Waymo stated its remote assistance teams do not directly steer or drive robotaxis in normal operations. The incidents also highlight broader technical and operational hurdles facing Tesla’s robotaxi rollout. Reports indicate the company’s service expansion into Dallas and Houston has faced issues including long wait times, inconsistent vehicle availability, navigation errors, and operational limitations.
May 16, 2026 · via cxodigitalpulse.com
A New Jersey man plans to sue Uber and an autonomous vehicle company after crashing into a self-driving robot while riding his bike home from work late last year. Conor Shannon, of Jersey City, said the robot developed by Avride unexpectedly darted into a bike lane on Varick Street as he rode home at about 5 p.m. on October 22, 2025. The crash sent the 32-year-old flying over his bike's handlebars and onto his head and neck, leaving him with a concussion and a broken clavicle. The robot then attempted to flee the scene, he said. "Suddenly, an object about the size of a Coleman cooler—maybe a little bigger—appeared right in front of me," Shannon told Newsweek. "Next thing I know, I was unconscious, and when I came to, I was getting helped into an ambulance." Shannon, who works as an actuary, said his memory of the immediate aftermath remains foggy, but he continues to recover from the crash more than six months later. In addition to uneasy hours in the hospital, he missed several days at work, and his clavicle hasn't fully healed. "I've done a lot of reflecting," Shannon said of spending countless hours in his apartment replaying the crash. "These things have been around Jersey City for a while now. I've actually never had one deliver to me, but I didn't think anything of them at the time." Uber did not return multiple messages seeking comment from Newsweek regarding Shannon's accident in October. In October 2024, Uber announced a partnership with Avride to use the company's delivery robots and autonomous vehicles, later deploying them in Dallas and Austin, Texas. The service subsequently extended to Jersey City in February 2025 and Philadelphia in March. "We are aware of the incident involving a cyclist and one of our delivery
May 16, 2026 · via newsweek.com
One Atlanta neighborhood has dealt with Waymo problems than they expected recently. The Georgia city’s northwest Buckhead neighborhood has been overrun in the last couple of weeks by empty, driverless ride-share vehicles due to an apparent routing behavior issue. "It’s almost every little cul-de-sac in our area, so I think it’s a problem," a neighbor who lives on embattled Battleview Drive told WSB-TV. Video taken of the rogue Waymos shows them incessantly circling through a cul-de-sac and multiple cars causing a backup on one street after a neighbor tried to block the cars from entering the cul-de-sac. WAYMO AUTONOMOUS CAR BLOCKS AMBULANCE CREW RESPONDING TO DEADLY AUSTIN MASS SHOOTING "I think yesterday morning, we had 50 cars that came through between 6 and 7," another neighbor told the station. A third neighbor pointed out that the problem is more than just an irritation. "We’re families, we have small animals and pets, got kids getting on the bus in the morning and it just doesn’t feel safe to have that traffic," they said. Waymo currently operates in 11 U.S. cities, including Atlanta. The company admitted to Fox News Digital that Waymos are staged in areas of the city where they are frequently hailed from, but said that shouldn’t come at the expense of residents. WAYMO UNDER FEDERAL INVESTIGATION AFTER CHILD STRUCK "At Waymo, we are committed to being good neighbors," the company told FOx News Digital. "We take community feedback seriously and have already worked with our fleet partner to address 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." CLICK HERE TO
May 16, 2026 · via foxnews.com
May 15, 2026 08:14 AM EDT
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May 16, 2026 · via autonews.com
Waymo’s flood recall shows robotaxis still struggle with judgment Subscribe to our free newsletter today to keep up to date with the latest transportation and logistics news. Waymo’s latest recall is not just a software event. It is a reminder that autonomous vehicles are moving from controlled technical achievement into the messier world of public infrastructure, changing weather and split-second risk judgment. The Alphabet-owned robotaxi company recalled 3,791 vehicles after a Waymo vehicle entered a flooded roadway in San Antonio on April 20, according to filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The vehicle was unoccupied and no injuries were reported, but the system had detected the flooded road and still continued into the water at a reduced speed. For an industry built on the promise that software can make mobility safer, the incident is awkward. Floodwater is not an obscure hazard. Human drivers are repeatedly warned not to enter it because depth, road surface and current are difficult to judge from the driver’s seat. For an autonomous system, the problem is harder. Cameras, lidar, radar, maps and prediction models can identify a hazard, but the central question is whether the vehicle can interpret the scene conservatively enough when the safest choice is to stop or reroute. The recall is small in market terms, but large in strategic meaning Waymo’s recall covered fifth- and sixth-generation automated driving systems, according to NHTSA documents and subsequent reporting. The company said it added operational restrictions after the April 20 event and its safety board decided on April 24 to conduct a recall. The numbers matter because they reveal the scale of Waymo’s current US operation. A fleet of 3,791 vehicles is still modest compared with conventional ride-hailing networks, but it is large enough that rare failures are no longer hypothetical. When autonomous
May 15, 2026 · via tlimagazine.com
HII, in partnership with MetalCraft Marine, has delivered and sea tested two ROMULUS-25 unmanned surface vessels (USV) awarded in a Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) contract for smaller form factor autonomous boat prototypes for the U.S. Marine Corps. HII press release The two ROMULUS-25 autonomous USVs were delivered in December 2025 and supported successful testing and demonstration of advanced autonomous mission behaviors at sea. “Successfully delivering on this prototype contract with the Defense Innovation Unit and the U.S. Marine Corps is a strong recognition of HII’s deep experience and the maturity of our proven autonomous technologies,” said Andy Green, executive vice president of HII and president of HII’s Mission Technologies division. “The ROMULUS-25, powered by our Odyssey autonomy suite, builds on thousands of hours of successful at-sea operations and demonstrates how scalable, AI-enabled unmanned systems can extend the reach, endurance, and effectiveness of naval forces.” The ROMULUS-25 is a 27-foot high-speed interceptor vessel designed to deliver up to 1,000 pounds of payload with a range of up to 1,000 nautical miles. Fully capable of autonomous operation, the vessel is powered by HII’s Odyssey AI-based autonomy system, which integrates multiple sensors and effectors to enable coordinated, cross-domain maritime operations in support of the U.S. Marine Corps, as well as U.S. and allied navies. Over the past five years, Odyssey autonomy has been validated through more than 2,200 hours of autonomous operations during government-led tests and exercises. Odyssey autonomy has been deployed on more than 30 platforms, accumulating over 12,000 hours of successful at-sea operations. Its modular open systems architecture (MOSA), service-based design enables integration with the HII Minotaur targeting network, enhancing mission-level operations and edge capabilities through AI-based contact recognition and identification. The ROMULUS-25 is part of HII’s broader family of USVs, which range from 7-foot micro-USVs to the ROMULUS-190, a 190-foot
May 15, 2026 · via navalnews.com
Why a fleet of self-driving Waymo SUVs flooded a quiet Atlanta street ATLANTA - Some residents of the Buckhead neighborhood in Atlanta got "Waymo" than they expected as a seemingly endless parade of completely empty, fully autonomous, self-driving robotaxis entered their dead-end road. What we know: Videos taken along Battleview Drive shows more than a dozen modified, all-electric Jaguar I-PACE SUVs traveling in one direction along the roadway, turning around at the cul-de-sac and heading back out the same way they entered the neighborhood. The vehicle fleet does stage in certain heavily traveled areas to quickly respond to demand, the company told FOX 5 Atlanta. A spokesperson admitted that this shouldn’t come at the expense of the neighborhood's peace of mind. What they're saying: In a statement, a spokesperson for Waymo wrote: "At Waymo, we are committed to being good neighbors. We take community feedback seriously and have already worked with our fleet partner to address 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." What we don't know: The company did not clarify what specific routing behavior caused the vehicle fleet to target Battleview Drive or how many total vehicles were impacted by the routing error. What's next: Waymo says it is working closely with its rideshare partners to ensure this type of behavior does not keep happening. The Source: The information in this story was gathered from a local resident's video shared through Storyful, which showed the vehicles traveling along Battleview Drive, as well as a spokesperson for Waymo, who provided an official statement regarding the fleet's routing corrections.
May 15, 2026 · via fox5atlanta.com
- Figure AI's humanoids drew over 3 million views on X as it sorted packages on a viral livestream. - CEO Brett Adcock said the robots worked autonomously with zero failures for 24 hours. - One robotics expert said the demo was impressive, but the humanoids are not deployment-ready. Silicon Valley's hottest livestream this week is a humanoid robot clocking in for a warehouse shift. It began Wednesday, when Figure AI CEO Brett Adcock set out to prove to skeptics that his robots could complete an eight-hour stretch of autonomous labor. Within hours, Figure AI had a film crew at its San Jose headquarters and was streaming a humanoid doing one of the dullest tasks imaginable: sorting packages. The internet was captivated. Millions tuned in to watch the robot pick up small packages and place them on a conveyor belt with the barcode facing down. Two humanoids stood on chargers in the background, ready to sub in when the working robot ran low on battery. One viewer called the feed "surprisingly addicting" and asked for a 24/7 livestream, while investor Jason Calacanis wrote that "robotic ASMR is bizarrely comforting." As the livestream climbed past 1.5 million views on X over its first eight hours, some viewers gave the three robots names: Bob, Frank, and Gary. Figure AI reached its goal of running the robot for eight hours with "zero failures," Adcock said, and decided to keep going. By the 24-hour mark on Thursday morning, the humanoids had sorted more than 30,000 packages, with more than 3 million cumulative views. The viral stream is more than a robotics stunt. For Figure AI, a startup valued near $40 billion, it is a public audition for a future in which humanoids can work long shifts in warehouses, factories, and eventually homes. The demo
May 15, 2026 · via businessinsider.com
Gasgoo Munich- Cao Cao Mobility struck a strategic partnership with Shanghai International Automotive City (Group) Co., Ltd. on May 14. According to Cao Cao Mobility, it plans to establish a wholly-owned subsidiary within the core zone of Shanghai International Automotive City to underpin its push into Robotaxi commercialization. By 2026, the company aims to deploy 100 Robotaxis in the region. Image Source: Cao Cao Mobility Separately, Gasgoo previously reported that on April 1, Cao Cao Mobility secured regulatory approval to become Hangzhou's first smart mobility company allowed to conduct road tests for driverless intelligent connected vehicles. That milestone marked the official entry of its Robotaxi business into a new phase of unmanned operations. Serving as the core commercialization vehicle for Geely Holding Group's Robotaxi ambitions, Cao Cao Mobility has positioned itself as one of the few global tech mobility platforms with a full suite of Robotaxi capabilities. Its strategy rests on a three-pronged approach: smart custom vehicles, autonomous driving technology, and intelligent operations. In December 2025, the company rolled out its Robotaxi 2.0 solution and deployed its second-generation fleet, initiating the transition from safety-driver reliance to fully unmanned operations. Cao Cao Mobility currently operates a fleet of 100 Robotaxis in Hangzhou, with plans to scale up both vehicle count and operational zones. To support this, the company activated the world's first "Green Smart Mobility Island" in the city. This facility integrates automated battery swapping, cleaning, vehicle maintenance, intelligent dispatch, and automated settlement, creating a robust support backbone for the fleet. Additionally, the "Cao Cao Zhihang RAS Remote Safety Service Platform" is now live, delivering remote real-time assistance and comprehensive safety monitoring to ensure passenger security and a smooth ride experience. Looking to 2026, the company plans to expand its Robotaxi footprint to more domestic cities while exploring opportunities in Hong
May 15, 2026 · via autonews.gasgoo.com
Audio By Carbonatix After only a few months on Dallas roads, issues with self-driving cars are piling up with a new federal investigation and a recall announced by Waymo. In the latest win for AI, self-driving cars have been creeping onto urban roadways across the country more and more since the first Waymo trips in Arizona in 2018. Uber rolled out a human-monitored robotaxi service in Dallas last December, with fully automated Waymos launching in a service area roughly stretching from University Park to the Bishop Arts District in February. Last week, however, the Federal Highway Transportation Safety Administration announced an investigation into Avride, the Austin-based robotaxi startup responsible for Uber’s autonomous fleets in Dallas. Avride vehicles have been involved in sixteen crashes in Austin and Dallas since the beginning of December, according to the investigation report. The incidents occurred predominantly in Dallas, where autonomous vehicles are a relatively new phenomenon compared to Austin. Interestingly, the report states that in each incident, a driver was monitoring the autonomous driving system at the time of impact. One crash allegedly resulted in a minor injury, which reportedly did not require hospitalization. In addition to conventional vehicles, Avride robotaxis can be ordered through Uber’s standard ride request in the Uber app. Users are notified if their trip has been picked up by a robotaxi and can switch to a human driver, according to Uber’s Dallas webpage. As part of the inquiry, federal investigators reviewed video footage from each incident. Vehicles were observed merging into neighboring lanes or cars, failing to slow down behind cars and hitting stationary objects in their paths. “These crashes may indicate inappropriate assertiveness and insufficient competence to execute these driving behaviors in a safe manner and may also constitute traffic safety violations,” the report reads. In February, the NHTSA
May 15, 2026 · via dallasobserver.com
The voluntary recall filed April 30 affects Waymo vehicles operating on the company's fifth and sixth generation Automated Driving System. The software "may allow the vehicle to slow and then drive into standing water on higher speed roadways," a NHTSA report said. "Entering a flooded roadway can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury," NHTSA said. The recall followed severe weather in San Antonio, during which a Waymo entered a flooded and impassable road, the company said. In response, Waymo has increased weather-related constraints on its vehicles and says it is working on additional software safeguards. "We have identified an area of improvement regarding untraversable flooded lanes specific to higher-speed roadways, and have made the decision to file a voluntary software recall with NHTSA related to this scenario," a Waymo spokesperson said. "Waymo provides over half a million trips every week in some of the most challenging driving environments across the U.S., and safety is our primary priority." Waymo operates in 10 major cities and has issued prior safety-related recalls. Last year, the company recalled more than 1,200 autonomous vehicles after minor crashes involving obstacles in the road. The Alphabet-owned company has also come under fire for safety incidents, including striking a child outside a school in Santa Monica earlier this year and fatally running over a neighborhood cat in San Francisco. According to data collected by Waymo over 170 million fully autonomous miles driven, Waymo is 13 times safer than human drivers in crashes involving pedestrians. The Mountain View-based company is currently ahead in the race to scale robotaxis across the country, with thousands of vehicles transporting paying customers in cities including Los Angeles, Miami and Phoenix. Competitors Zoox and Tesla are trying to catch up with their own self-driving technology, but
May 15, 2026 · via govtech.com
Las Vegas is famous for hospitality, but it has quietly transformed into the ultimate testing ground for mobility tech. With fleets of autonomous robotaxis mapping the grid and navigating the Strip, the city is a living laboratory for transportation startups. This disruption brings a massive legal complication. When an algorithm-controlled vehicle crashes, the traditional framework of traffic law completely buckles. Establishing liability is no longer a simple matter of driver versus driver. According to Ben Bingham, Esq., a Las Vegas car accident lawyer who handles modern collision claims, victims are now forced into complex battles against corporate algorithms and tech company legal teams. The Liability Puzzle of Autonomous Tech Traditional personal injury law relies heavily on human negligence. If a driver runs a red light, they are at fault. But autonomous vehicles operate under Chapter 482A of the Nevada Revised Statutes, which explicitly permits highly automated vehicles on public roads. When one of these vehicles causes an injury, the legal question shifts from human error to product liability. Who is responsible when a crash occurs? It could be the manufacturer of the LIDAR sensors if the hardware failed. It could be the software developer if a coding bug miscalculated a braking distance. If there is a human safety operator present in the vehicle, they might share the blame for failing to take control. This fragmentation means that securing compensation for medical bills and lost wages requires attorneys to subpoena software logs and proprietary tech data just to figure out who to sue. Real-World Variables on the Strip Startups use Las Vegas because the environment is incredibly challenging for machine learning. The Strip features erratic pedestrians, unpredictable tourist drivers, and constant construction zones. While autonomous algorithms are designed to obey traffic laws perfectly, they struggle with human unpredictability. Recent data shows
May 15, 2026 · via gritdaily.com
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May 15, 2026 · via anduril.com
On the Dash: - Model year 2025 inventory dropped 36% month-over-month; 93% of lots are now model year 2026 vehicles. - Dodge carries 142 days of supply; Toyota sits tight at just 36 days. - Incentive spending fell to 6.9% of ATP, signaling disciplined pricing across the market. U.S. new-vehicle inventory held mostly stable in April, as automakers worked to clear out model year 2025 (MY2025) stock from dealer lots. Total new-vehicle inventory slipped to 2.86 million units, down 1.1% from March, according to Cox Automotive’s vAuto Live Market View. Days’ supply fell to 78 in April, down 2.4% from March and well below the 95 days recorded in January and February. MY2025 inventory dropped 36% month-over-month. By the end of April, nearly 93% of the total inventory was model year 2026 vehicles. April 2026 days’ supply ran 15.5% higher than April 2025, but analysts say that number is misleading. Last spring, automakers and dealers saw an abnormal spike in sales as customers rushed to make purchases ahead of tariff increases. Domestic brands, including Ford, GM, and Stellantis, held new-vehicle stock well above the 78-day national average. Dodge led all brands at 142 days, followed by Chrysler and Ram at 135 each and Jeep at 128. Ford carried 98 days of supply. Those brands are actively working to move out their remaining MY2025 stock. On the import side, Toyota led all brands with just 36 days of supply, followed by Lexus at 38 and Honda at 48. Import sedans showed softer demand, a sign that budget-conscious buyers are pulling back. Overall, automakers are using targeted incentives to move MY2025 vehicles rather than cutting prices. Incentive spending fell to 6.9% of the average transaction price in April, down from 7.2% in March. Meanwhile, the average transaction price for a new vehicle
May 15, 2026 · via cbtnews.com
New Jerseyans are skeptical of these self-driving vehicles One of my most “get off my lawn” stances is my lack of trust in self-driving vehicles. Maybe it’s because I unfairly think of technology going against humans in projects like ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ or the Itchy and Scratchy Land episode of ‘The Simpsons,’ but putting our faith in machines gives me the ‘ick.’ Sure, would I like to focus on other things during my commute (like, for instance, writing these articles)? Absolutely. I’d rather be productive during my 45 minute drive than get angry at other drivers, but I’m not at that level of comfort with the concept of a computer making decisions for me on the road. I’m not alone in being hesitant of self-driving cars With the increase in interest in autonomous vehicles, the site Murphy and Prachthauser checked the pulse of how people felt about the concept, especially when it comes to rideshare services. Imagine getting into a driverless car to get to your destination on a night out. How comfortable would you feel? According to the research done by M&P, not very. New Jersey is the state with the highest skepticism when it comes to the safety of robotaxis, with 82% of those surveyed feeling they are less safe than traditional vehicles. We were second in the nation to prefer a typical rideshare experience over an autonomous car, the only state ahead of us was New Hampshire. Can you blame us? With the dense traffic on Garden State roads and the influx of unpredictable out-of-state drivers, I don’t want to rely on technology knowing what to do. I understand we have to embrace new technology but this is coming from someone who is still watching movies on DVDs, so I’m going to need a little more
May 15, 2026 · via nj1015.com
Elon Musk’s companies are finding new ways to merge their most disruptive technologies. As Tesla ramps up testing for its purpose-built autonomous vehicle, a Cybercab has been spotted on public roads equipped with what appears to be a Starlink Mini dish. The high-resolution images, shared on X by Adan Guajardo (@AdanGuajardo), show the portable satellite terminal mounted directly onto the vehicle's rear liftgate. This sighting comes at a pivotal time for Tesla’s autonomous ambitions. The company officially kicked off mass production of the Cybercab at Gigafactory Texas last month, and entire fleets of the vehicle are already being staged for deployment. Integrating Starlink suggests that Tesla is looking for more than just a standard cellular connection to manage its upcoming Robotaxi fleet — at least during testing. Reliable Connectivity for Remote Support This isn't the first time we have seen Tesla add extra hardware to its autonomous testers. We previously reported on Project Halo, which involved modified Model Ys for Robotaxi operations that were equipped with secondary connectivity modules. Those modules were designed to provide a more reliable, uninterrupted connection to Tesla's remote support team. By utilizing Starlink — SpaceX’s low-earth orbit satellite constellation — Tesla can ensure the Cybercab remains connected even in cellular dead zones. This is critical for a vehicle designed without a steering wheel or pedals. If an autonomous vehicle encounters a situation it cannot navigate, a high-speed, low-latency connection allows a remote human monitor to assess the scene through the car's cameras and provide guidance in real-time. Tesla already uses Starlink for connectivity across its Supercharger network, and there have been longstanding rumors that the satellite internet service will replace the standard cellular connection on Tesla vehicles. Who knew the Cybercab would be the first one to get it? Faster Data and Global Scaling Beyond
May 15, 2026 · via notateslaapp.com