Waymo is reportedly planning a significant step toward bringing its driverless taxis to Toronto’s streets. But it’s unclear if the California-based tech company will be welcome north of the border, with the mayor and premier harbouring concerns about the autonomous driving technology’s impact on local jobs. According to a spokesperson for Mayor Olivia Chow, Waymo has told her office it plans to apply to the Ontario government’s automated vehicle pilot program. That would enable the company to test its vehicles in the province and serve as a potential precursor to launching commercial robo taxi operations in its largest city. Waymo, which is owned by Google’s parent company Alphabet and bills itself as the world’s first autonomous ride-hailing service, wouldn’t confirm its Ontario plans Friday. Waymo spokesperson Chris Pappas acknowledged, however, that the company has “global ambitions,” and said it has met with officials in Toronto and elsewhere in Canada to “to explain our technology and advocate for the legal frameworks necessary to bring our fully autonomous ride-hailing service to the country.” Waymo plans to join pilot Chow’s press secretary Braman Thillainathan told the Star the company revealed its plans to join the Ontario pilot during a recent lobbying push at city hall. Waymo representatives and hired lobbyists with the StrategyCorp firm have been speaking with city officials since December, including managers in transportation services and mayoral staffers, public records show. Thillainathan said the company made no specific request of Chow, and he stressed that the province, not the city, is in charge of regulating driverless cars. But he said that the mayor won’t back the company if its operations hurt Toronto’s taxi and ride-hail drivers. “Any move toward autonomous vehicles must not put people out of work or undermine workers’ livelihoods. The mayor will not support Waymo if it costs
Apr 13, 2026 · via thestar.com
Waymo launches pothole data-sharing program in Austin, partnering with Waze for test markets Robotaxi company Waymo says it wants to help the city of Austin tackle potholes, and it will do so by sharing data with transportation officials. Waymo announced in a blog earlier this month that it would partner with Waze, a navigation company that was acquired by Google in 2013, for the pilot program. Waymo said it would share data gathered by its robotaxis' systems with city and state transportation departments through the free-to-use Waze for Cities platform, along with information about potholes shared by drivers. The idea, Waymo said, would be to give officials "an additional view of surface street and highway conditions that enables them to more efficiently and effectively fill potholes". The company also said Waze users will be able to see the data in cities where Waymo operates, and users will be able to verify potholes identified by Waymo to increase the data's accuracy. "Waymo is already making roads safer where we operate. We want to build on the safety benefits of our service by partnering with organizations and city officials to help improve the infrastructure we all depend on," said Arielle Fleisher, Policy Development and Research Manager at Waymo. "Waymo's mission is to be the world's most trusted driver; we're also committed to becoming a trusted partner to the cities we serve." Austin is just one of five cities where this pilot program will launch. The program will also activate in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Atlanta. Waymo said it plans to expand the partnership to more cities. Waymo notes that potholes can significantly damage cars and contribute to crashes. The company said that cities rely largely on citizen reports to non-emergency 311 lines and manual inspections. However, Waymo's blog post claimed
Apr 13, 2026 · via cbsnews.com
Panasonic Avionics Major supplier to airlines worldwide According to the latest IndexBox report on the global On Board Connectivity market, the market enters 2026 with broader demand fundamentals, more disciplined procurement behavior, and a more regionally diversified supply architecture. The global On Board Connectivity (OBC) market is undergoing a fundamental transformation from a premium feature to a core component of modern transportation, underpinned by the convergence of regulatory mandates, technological advancement, and evolving consumer expectations. This analysis forecasts the market's trajectory from 2026 to 2035, a period marked by the maturation of autonomous driving systems, stringent data reporting requirements, and the proliferation of software-defined vehicles. Growth will be driven not merely by increasing vehicle production but by the exponential rise in data generation per asset, necessitating robust hardware for cellular, satellite, and V2X communication, alongside sophisticated software platforms for data management. The market structure is shifting from fragmented hardware sales to integrated 'hardware-software-service' bundles, creating recurring revenue streams and elevating the strategic importance of ecosystem partnerships between automotive OEMs, telecom providers, and software firms. This report provides a detailed examination of demand drivers across key end-use sectors, supply chain dynamics, competitive landscape, and regional growth hotspots, offering a data-driven perspective essential for manufacturers, investors, and strategists navigating this rapidly evolving space. The baseline scenario for the On Board Connectivity market from 2026 to 2035 projects robust expansion, transitioning from a period of accelerated adoption to one of deepening integration and value extraction. The core assumption is a continued global push for transportation efficiency, safety, and digitalization, albeit against a backdrop of economic cycles and regional regulatory divergence. Growth will be primarily volume-driven in the early forecast period, as connectivity penetrates deeper into commercial fleets and mid-tier passenger vehicles. The latter half of the forecast will see value-driven growth, fueled by
Apr 13, 2026 · via indexbox.io
Tesla stock is beating the broader market today: here's why Tesla shares rose 0.4% to $350.81 in early trading, outperforming a weaker broader market. The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.1% and 0.3%, respectively, as geopolitical tensions escalated. The move followed comments from Donald Trump, who said the US Navy would blockade the Strait of Hormuz after peace talks with Iran failed. The development pushed benchmark crude prices up 6% to above $100 per barrel. Europe approves Tesla’s FSD system Tesla’s gains were driven by regulatory progress in Europe. Authorities in the Netherlands approved the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) driver-assistance system, marking the first such approval in the region. Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Andres Sheppard said the decision is significant. “We view this as material, since it marks the first country in Europe to grant regulatory approval of Tesla’s FSD, or to allow autonomous vehicles on European roads,” he wrote, adding that Tesla expects approvals in additional European countries “soon.” Sheppard maintains a Buy rating on the stock with a $510 price target. The approval includes important limitations. The Netherlands’ RDW vehicle authority said the system requires active driver supervision at all times. “FSD Supervised is not self-driving,” the regulator said, noting that drivers must remain attentive and ready to take control. It added that the European version of the system differs from the US version, with tighter constraints in place. Self-driving central to Tesla valuation Autonomous driving technology remains a key pillar of Tesla’s valuation. In many Wall Street models, self-driving capabilities account for a significant portion of the company’s roughly $1.5 trillion market value. Tesla trades at a punishing premium, with a trailing price-to-earnings ratio ranging between roughly 295x and 325x depending on which earnings figure is used. On a forward basis, consensus analyst estimates
Apr 13, 2026 · via tradingview.com
The world-renowned Campus is investigating the potential for a dedicated route for electric autonomous vehicles between the Hinxton-based site and Whittlesford Parkway railway station. This would create a safe, sustainable and reliable way for people to travel to and from the Campus, while also creating a scalable model for use of autonomous vehicles across the UK. The Campus has received funding as part of the Government’s CAM Pathfinder Programme to carry out the year-long feasibility study. This will enable the Campus to understand what is needed to run the service safely, regularly and at a cost that could work long-term. Currently, the Campus runs shuttle buses and coaches to and from Whittlesford Parkway to get people to the site, as there is no direct public transport link. A dedicated land corridor for autonomous vehicles would make it easier for workers and visitors to reach the Campus, offer predictable journey times, and help to cut congestion and emissions. Over time, the corridor could also evolve into a publicly accessible link, improving wider connectivity. The proposed corridor leverages Wellcome Trust’s unique position as sole landowner of an uninterrupted stretch of land, potentially enabling a controlled environment for autonomous operations without the complexity of mixed traffic. With Greater Cambridge continuing to grow as a global centre for life sciences and innovation, better transport links are key to attracting companies and investment and unlocking new jobs. The study will produce an investment-ready plan that could be relevant to science and innovation sites across Greater Cambridge and the UK, showing how autonomous vehicles can support growth and job creation. Robert Evans, Chief Executive of the Wellcome Genome Campus, said: “As we progress with our major expansion – which will see our Campus triple in size over the next 10-15 years – we are looking at
Apr 13, 2026 · via cambridgenetwork.co.uk
Level 4 autonomous technology expert Nuro shared the latest milestone of a partnership with Uber Technologies and Lucid Motors to develop a fleet of Gravity Robotaxi SUVs. Per the company, a select group of riders has begun test rides in California. Today’s latest robotaxi milestone involving Nuro, Uber, and Lucid Gravity dates back to July 2025, when the autonomous technology developer, rideshare and logistics network, and American EV automaker (respectively) announced an exciting new partnership. Through the collaboration, Uber Technologies has committed to deploying up to 20,000 Lucid Gravity SUVs converted to robotaxis using Nuro’s level 4 autonomous driving platform, Driver. By late October, Uber had announced where it would initially begin rolling out these Nuro-equipped Lucid Gravity robotaxis – the San Francisco Bay Area. Shocker! By January, Nuro, Uber, and Lucid Motors had unveiled a production-intent version of the Gravity robotaxi, which was beginning road testing right away. This morning, Nuro confirmed that it has moved into the next phase of development, beginning public test rides in, you guessed it, the Bay Area. If you’re itching to hail a Gravity robotaxi, however, you’ll still have to wait, as these test rides are currently available only to Uber employees. Uber employees begin robotaxi rides in Nuro-equipped Lucid Gravity SUVs A press release from Nuro confirmed that select Uber employees have already begun test rides in the Lucid Gravity robotaxis on Uber’s rideshare platform around San Francisco. This latest test program, which began last week, still includes a safety driver in the front seat. However, Uber employees can request the Nuro-equipped Lucid Gravity vehicles directly through the rideshare app as they validate the experience and provide feedback ahead of a full commercial launch. Per the release: This kind of testing helps connect the autonomy stack, the vehicle platform, and the rider
Apr 13, 2026 · via electrek.co
The Dutch vehicle authority RDW has issued European type approval with provisional validity for Tesla’s driver assistance system, full self-driving (FSD) supervised, permitting its deployment within the Netherlands. According to RDW, the driver-operated assistance system underwent extensive evaluation over a period exceeding 18 months. Discover B2B Marketing That Performs Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms. Testing was conducted on both controlled tracks and public roads before the approval was granted. The regulator stressed that FSD supervised does not qualify as an autonomous driving system. Instead, it is classified as an advanced driver assistance system, where the driver retains full responsibility and must remain actively engaged at all times. The system incorporates monitoring features that assess driver attention, including sensors that track eye movement and readiness to assume control. If insufficient attentiveness is detected, warnings are issued, and the system can be temporarily deactivated. This approval allows the use of FSD supervised within the Netherlands, with the possibility of broader deployment across the European Union (EU) at a later stage. In its statement, the RDW said: “Tesla’s driver-controlled assistance system supports the driver more than other systems because, when enabled, it takes over multiple driving tasks. “Using driver assistance systems correctly makes a positive contribution to road safety because the driver is supported in their driving tasks; it is a supplement to the driver. Through continuous strict monitoring of the driver in the vehicle, the system is safer than other driver assistance systems.” The authority also pointed to differences in regulatory frameworks between regions. In the EU, vehicles must receive prior European type approval from designated authorities such as RDW. In contrast, the US follows a self-certification model, with compliance monitored after deployment. It further highlighted that European vehicles operate on different
Apr 13, 2026 · via just-auto.com
The competition to deploy robotaxis across Europe is intensifying. A partnership led by European start-up Verne, alongside Uber and China's Pony.ai, has been described by industry observers as a vehicle for introducing Chinese autonomous-driving technology...
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Apr 13, 2026 · via digitimes.com
The Aichi Prefectural Government is stepping up demonstration tests aimed at launching Japan's first commercially operated autonomous bus service on an expressway.
In fiscal 2025, which ended in March, the prefecture repeatedly carried out Level 2 trial runs, in which a driver remains on board and handles some operations manually. The tests helped identify a number of challenges.
Aichi aims to secure approval for the practical deployment of Level 4 autonomous driving in fiscal 2027. Under Level 4 autonomy, a vehicle can operate without a driver under specific conditions.
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Apr 13, 2026 · via japantimes.co.jp
Intergravity, a space infrastructure deep-tech startup, announced on the 13th that it has secured 8 billion won in a pre-Series A funding round. With the secured funds, the company will accelerate the development of its autonomous orbital transfer vehicle and integrated space-based manufacturing platform. The funding round included participation from Stonebridge Ventures, Stick Ventures, Company K Partners, D.CAMP (Banks Foundation for Young Entrepreneurs), and the Korea Technology Finance Corporation (KIBO). The investment, which also involves the Korea AeroSpace Administration's New Space Fund and the AI Future Tech Fund, is considered significant as it spans both the private space and AI technology sectors. Based on this investment, Intergravity plans to advance the development of its Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV) and space-based manufacturing platform, expanding its business focus to on-orbit operational services. Founded by experts from space development institutions like the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), Intergravity is a deep-tech company developing on-orbit services based on its orbital transport platform. Unusually for a startup, the company possesses its own vacuum combustion testing facility, allowing it to verify the reliability of its core technologies under conditions identical to the actual space environment, thereby speeding up commercialization. To address the increasing congestion in low Earth orbit, Intergravity aims to develop an autonomous orbital transfer vehicle that reduces reliance on ground control, leveraging a combination of Physical AI and Agentic AI to secure its operational capabilities. The company plans to complete orbital injection via a SpaceX launch vehicle and commence commercial services in the first quarter of 2027. Prior to this, it will validate core technologies for its eco-friendly propulsion and navigation modules through the 5th launch of the Nuri rocket in 2026. Intergravity is evolving into a next-generation space logistics infrastructure company by building an integrated solution that extends beyond satellite and space cargo
Apr 13, 2026 · via dongascience.com
Gasgoo Munich- On April 11, Ouyang Minggao, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, stated at the Intelligent Electric Vehicle Development Forum that the new energy vehicle industry is shifting from "price competition" to "value competition." He argues that the center of industry competition has moved to a "three-value coupling" system spanning the entire value chain, anchored by functional, emotional, and asset value. To survive, the sector must build competitiveness across this entire chain: using functional value as a cornerstone, emotional value to build brand moats, and asset value to forge a long-term loop of trust. Image source: Gasgoo on-site photography 1. Functional Value: From "Spec Leadership" to "Zero-Anxiety Experience" • Safety functions: Vehicle thermal safety, electrical safety, autonomous driving safety, information security, collision safety, and escape safety. • Electric functions: Battery life and range; speed and convenience of charging; electric drive efficiency; and stability of electric functions across all climates, conditions, and processes. • Smart functions: Autonomous driving, smart cockpits, vehicle OTA and V2X capabilities, and vehicle dynamics control. 2. Emotional Value: From "Mobility Tool" to "Lifestyle Brand" • Design aesthetics and personalization: Offer high-degree customization services. Maintain unique recognition within family designs to satisfy users' needs to express individuality. • Building "empathetic" communities: Moving beyond simple rewards programs. Through owner charity events, track days, and outdoor groups, let the brand become an extension of user identity. • Warmth in human-machine interaction: Create anthropomorphic smart assistants. Use emotional voice and seamless interaction to reduce the coldness of the machine and increase the sense of companionship. 3. Asset Value: From "Residual Value Management" to "Full Lifecycle Profitability" • Authoritative used car system: Establish a strict official system for buybacks, refurbishment, and sales. Stabilize brand used car prices to support new car prices. • Innovative energy services: Utilize surplus battery
Apr 13, 2026 · via autonews.gasgoo.com
As companies like Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Waymo begin rolling out autonomous vehicles across Europe and the US, the bottleneck facing robotaxis has shifted. No longer defined primarily by technological...
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Apr 12, 2026 · via digitimes.com
In short: The Dutch vehicle authority RDW approved Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software on 10 April 2026, making the Netherlands the first European country to authorise the system under UN Regulation 171, the EU standard governing driver control assistance systems. The approval follows 18 months of testing, 1.6 million kilometres of European road data, and more than 400 individual compliance requirements, and opens a regulatory pathway that could extend to Germany, France, and Italy within weeks, with full EU-wide recognition targeted for summer 2026. What the Netherlands approved, and how FSD Supervised works RDW, the Dutch authority responsible for vehicle approvals, approved version 2026.3.6 of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software on 10 April 2026 under UN Regulation 171, the EU standard that governs Driver Control Assistance Systems, a category of Level 2 vehicle automation. The approval allows drivers of compatible Tesla vehicles in the Netherlands to take their hands off the steering wheel during appropriate driving conditions, while remaining legally responsible for the vehicle at all times and required to maintain continuous awareness of the road. The system enforces that requirement: eye-tracking cameras monitor driver attention, and a sequence of visual, audio, and haptic alerts is triggered if the driver looks away or becomes inattentive. If the driver does not respond to those alerts, FSD Supervised disables itself and returns steering control to the driver; if no response follows, the system is designed to bring the vehicle to a controlled stop. Before any driver may activate FSD Supervised for the first time, completion of a mandatory tutorial and quiz is required. RDW stated: “A vehicle with FSD Supervised is not self-driving. It is a driver assistance system, and the driver remains responsible and must always maintain control.” The approval followed a process RDW describes as among the most extensive it
Apr 12, 2026 · via thenextweb.com
Nashville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) today announced the selection of Cavnue, LLC as its private-sector partner for the Memphis/West Tennessee Smart Freight Corridor Pilot, a major initiative aimed at improving safety, reducing congestion, and advancing freight technology along I‑40 between Memphis and Blue Oval City. The multi‑year pilot will evaluate Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) freight technologies in real‑world operating conditions, giving TDOT the data and insights needed to shape long‑term freight modernization strategies for Tennessee. This project is TDOT’s first dedicated smart freight initiative, allowing the department to partner with Cavnue to test smart freight technologies in real‑world conditions while the state maintains control of the roadway, data, and future decisions. In the coming months, the firm will begin project planning and design work under TDOT oversight. Upon TDOT approval, the project will advance to temporary on‑road testing, followed by a final evaluation to inform future freight and infrastructure decisions. Under this Initiative, the firm will lead the following project work: · Conducting detailed corridor and infrastructure analysis · Developing the pilot’s concept of operations and design · Installing temporary roadside and vehicle-based technologies · Collecting and analyzing real-time freight and traffic data · Evaluating system performance, safety impacts, and operational benefits · Stakeholder engagement The I‑40 corridor serves one of Tennessee’s busiest and most economically vital freight routes. With rapid industrial growth in West Tennessee, including major investments in and around Blue Oval City, freight volumes are expected to continue to increase in the coming years. The Smart Freight Corridor Pilot will help TDOT better understand how emerging freight technologies can: · Improve safety and reduce congestion · Support connected freight applications across multiple fleets · Enhance incident response and system efficiency · Inform long‑term planning and statewide freight modernization strategies The pilot is
Apr 12, 2026 · via tntribune.com
Continental AG Major Tier 1 supplier with advanced ADAS portfolio According to the latest IndexBox report on the global Traffic Sign Recognition System market, the market enters 2026 with broader demand fundamentals, more disciplined procurement behavior, and a more regionally diversified supply architecture. The global Traffic Sign Recognition System (TSR) market is projected to undergo a significant transformation from 2026 to 2035, evolving from a niche safety feature to a core component of modern mobility ecosystems. This growth is fundamentally driven by the global convergence of regulatory pressure for vehicle safety, the accelerating rollout of autonomous driving capabilities, and large-scale smart city infrastructure investments. The market is bifurcating into a high-volume, compliance-driven segment for mass-market vehicles and a premium, performance-led segment for advanced autonomy, creating a multi-tiered value landscape. Innovation is shifting from basic recognition accuracy—now a table-stakes expectation—towards real-time data processing, over-the-air update capabilities, and deep integration with other vehicle systems like adaptive cruise control and navigation. This analysis provides a comprehensive forecast, examining demand drivers across key end-use sectors, regional adoption patterns, and the strategic landscape for hardware and software providers navigating this complex, high-growth market. The baseline scenario for the Traffic Sign Recognition System market from 2026-2035 is one of robust, sustained expansion underpinned by regulatory mandates and technological integration. The market is expected to grow from a foundation of regulatory adoption, particularly Euro NCAP and similar safety ratings that incentivize TSR as a standard ADAS feature, transitioning towards a innovation-driven phase where functionality expands beyond recognition to predictive response and ecosystem integration. Supply will keep pace, characterized by increasing competition between specialized Tier-1 automotive suppliers and technology giants entering the mobility space, leading to price pressure in entry-level systems but premiumization in high-performance segments. Demand will be strongest in regions with stringent safety regulations and high
Apr 12, 2026 · via indexbox.io
President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that the 100% tariff on Chinese car imports has successfully kept Chinese automakers out of the US market and thereby protected Detroit manufacturers General Motors and Ford. Last month, five major US auto trade groups — representing GM, Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen, and others — wrote to the White House urging it to maintain all restrictions and block Chinese factory investment. “I put 100% tariff on all Chinese cars coming in, and that’s destroying Europe,” Trump said in a phone interview with Fox News. “They’re destroying Europe because they’re taking away so much business from Mercedes and BMW,” Trump added before turning to the US market. “And we don’t have any Chinese cars in our country because they would have destroyed General Motors, Ford, they would have destroyed these companies if they did it,” the US President stated. US Tariffs on Chinese EVs During the 2024 presidential campaign, Donald Trump was the first major political figure to publicly propose a 100% tariff specifically on Chinese-made cars. As early as March 2024, he told supporters at rallies and in interviews that he would “put a 100% tariff on every single car that comes across the line, and you’re not going to be able to sell those cars.” Two months later, on May 14, 2024, the Biden administration became the first to implement this level of protection by announcing the quadrupling of the existing 25% Section 301 tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles to 100%. Trump’s own first-term administration had applied a 25% tariff on Chinese vehicles and auto parts under Section 301 starting in 2018. Upon returning to the White House in January 2025, Trump maintained Biden’s full 100% tariff without any reduction and later strengthened the overall barrier by issuing a new 25% Section 232 national-security
Apr 12, 2026 · via eletric-vehicles.com
- Today - Holidays - Birthdays - Reminders - Cities - Atlanta - Austin - Baltimore - Berwyn - Beverly Hills - Birmingham - Boston - Brooklyn - Buffalo - Charlotte - Chicago - Cincinnati - Cleveland - Columbus - Dallas - Denver - Detroit - Fort Worth - Houston - Indianapolis - Knoxville - Las Vegas - Los Angeles - Louisville - Madison - Memphis - Miami - Milwaukee - Minneapolis - Nashville - New Orleans - New York - Omaha - Orlando - Philadelphia - Phoenix - Pittsburgh - Portland - Raleigh - Richmond - Rutherford - Sacramento - Salt Lake City - San Antonio - San Diego - San Francisco - San Jose - Seattle - Tampa - Tucson - Washington Autonomous Vehicle Kills Mother Duck, Flees Scene Residents outraged after Avride self-driving car runs over and kills beloved park duck, then drives off without stopping. Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:53pm Got story updates? Submit your updates here. › Austin Today In Austin, Texas, an autonomous vehicle operated by startup Avride struck and killed a mother duck that had wandered away from her nest of eggs in a local park. Witnesses claim the car did not slow down or stop after the incident, and continued driving. Avride has launched an investigation but denies the vehicle ran a stop sign, though it will adjust routes to avoid the area. Residents are outraged over the incident, with some doubting the safety of self-driving cars in their community. Why it matters The incident highlights growing tensions between residents and the proliferation of autonomous vehicles in cities like Austin, which has become a hub for robotaxi testing and deployment. It also raises concerns about the ability of self-driving technology to safely navigate unpredictable situations involving wildlife and pedestrians. The details According
Apr 12, 2026 · via nationaltoday.com
In April 2025, a new company called Slate Auto came out of stealth and shocked the car industry. Not only was this startup focused on making an ultra-cheap, customizable electric pickup truck with funding from Jeff Bezos, but it had also been operating in secret for three years in Troy, Michigan — the backyard of major automakers like Ford and General Motors. TechCrunch was first to the story, reporting in early April about the company’s existence, its involvement with the Amazon founder, and its curious and unique business model. The weeks between our report and Slate’s official coming out party in late April provided a whirlwind of news, with prototypes of the startup’s truck popping up around California. Slate is an aberration in the U.S. EV sector, where bankruptcies, failed product launches, and pivots have become commonplace. And while its current backers, executive lineup, first product, and business model provide a compelling path forward, the road is still riddled with potential hurdles as it pushes toward production in late 2026. Here’s a timeline that charts out everything you need to know about Slate Auto, from its origin story and backers to its product, business model, and production plans. Inside the EV startup secretly backed by Jeff Bezos April 8 – After a year-long investigation, TechCrunch published a story revealing that a secretive EV startup called Slate Auto had been operating for three years with the financial backing of Jeff Bezos and LA Dodgers owner Mark Walter. Unlike other EV startups, Slate had been working on developing an extremely low-cost electric pickup truck that would start at around $25,000. This truck would be deeply customizable, leveraging the experience of many former employees from Harley-Davidson and Chrysler, two companies that have extensive accessories and aftermarket parts businesses. Slate Auto’s pickup truck spotted
Apr 12, 2026 · via techcrunch.com
Eighteen months after Nio and Abu Dhabi-based CYVN Holdings announced their Middle East joint venture in the presence of two heads of state, most of the commitments made at the founding remain unfulfilled or only partially delivered. The venture — branded ‘Nio MENA’ with the EV maker’s largest shareholder — was established in October 2024 with plans to bring Nio‘s full product ecosystem to the region. At the event, the company promised to bring to the region its sub-brands, build a battery swap network, an R&D center focused on autonomous driving and AI, and a bespoke model developed for the local market. A year and a half later, none of those initiatives have materialised. The company has opened three retail locations, launched three previous-generation models, built one battery swap station, and undergone what co-founder Qin Lihong described as “fairly deep organisational adjustments” after admitting sales were “not very satisfactory.” No official vehicle registration or delivery data has been disclosed for the UAE, the only country in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region where the EV maker has expanded so far. The Founding Nio and CYVN signed the agreement to form Nio MENA in October 2024 in Cairo. The ceremony took place in the presence of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. CYVN Holdings holds approximately 20.1% of Nio — making it the single largest shareholder — after completing two investments totalling $3.3 billion in 2023. In its founding announcement, Nio said the venture would “introduce NIO’s vehicle models, as well as those from its subsidiary brands to the MENA market,” positioning the UAE as “a key player in the deployment of advanced autonomous driving systems and battery-swapping technologies.” Promises vs. Reality Nio‘s founding announcement explicitly stated it would bring “its
Apr 12, 2026 · via eletric-vehicles.com
It’s safe to say that no one at the autonomous vehicle startup Avride will be using any omelette-related idioms about the necessity of sacrifice anytime soon. In Austin, Texas, where the company is based and tests its self-driving tech, one of its autonomous cars ran over and killed a mother duck that had wandered away from her nearby nest of eggs — and drove off without stopping. As KXAN reported, the hit-and-run was first flagged by a resident in a Facebook group for the Mueller Lake Park neighborhood where the incident took place, claiming that a person was in the driver’s seat without their hands on the wheel when it happened. “It didn’t slow down or hesitate at all, just steamrolled right through, and the person inside did not stop to see what happened, just kept driving on,” wrote resident Lewis Pierce in the post. Pierce also claimed the Avride car blew through a stop sign moments before the deadly collision. Avride said it was conducting an investigation and would temporarily adjust its cars so they avoid roads around the park lake where the accident occurred. But it denied that the vehicle ignored stop signs, after finding no evidence in the vehicle’s data to support the account. “The vehicle came to complete and appropriate stops at all relevant stop signs,” Avride head of communications Yulia Shveyko told KXAN in a statement. “We will, however, continue to carefully analyze all related data to ensure a full understanding of the situation.” The company’s response will likely do little to conciliate residents who are already weary of self-driving cars. Austin is a hub for robotaxis and other AVs, with companies like Waymo and Tesla operating fleets in the area, and not everyone is a fan of their growing presence. Adding to the fury,
Apr 12, 2026 · via futurism.com