#robotaxis

#robotaxis

The transportation scene is about to be transformed in profound ways over the coming decade, as artificial intelligence (AI) and energy storage tech advance. Undoubtedly, robotaxis have been hogging the headlines of late, with new autonomous ride-hailing solutions rolling out in new markets. Whether we're talking about Alphabet ( NASDAQ:GOOG) Waymo or the Tesla ( NASDAQ:TSLA) Cybercab, there's a lot to look forward to as the dream of self-driving vehicles looks to drive into the mainstream.

In July, Lucid, Uber, and Nuro announced a massive robotaxi deal that would see the deployment of 20,000 autonomous vehicles in the US over the next six years. But every journey begins with a single step, and today Lucid announced the delivery of the first Gravity SUV to Nuro for retrofitting. The vehicle was built at Lucid's factory in Casa Grande, Arizona, and then transported to the automaker's headquarters in Newark, California. There, a team from Nuro installed the sensors and other hardware for autonomous driving.

What we've learned is that this is not a race so much as a long, curved, and fragmented road - one that looks more like the fan of an alluvial plain than a racetrack - to develop and prove the technology works a nd make it a profitable business. It's not a race against others as much as an internal contest with existential stakes.

What are the odds that Elon Musk eventually ends up with $1 trillion worth of Tesla shares, assuming his new pay package is approved? We asked the AI chatbots to analyze his chances. Tesla's proposed compensation package for its CEO hinges on several ambitious milestones for the full payout: The company reaching an $8.5 trillion market cap, $400 billion adjusted EBITDA, and extensive deployments of robotaxis, full self-driving (FSD) subscriptions, AI Optimus robots, and EV sales.

The Model Y L, which adds new features including a rear row of foldable seats and powered armrests, went on sale for $47,200 in China on Tuesday. Its launch comes as Tesla battles fierce competition from local EV players like BYD, Xiaomi, and Xpeng. Electric vehicle adoption in China is far higher than in the US, and Chinese companies have rapidly taken market share with a wave of affordable electric models packed with high-tech features, including autonomous driving and voice controls.

Friedman describes his ideal television advertising campaign, an em dash-laden riff on Donald Trump's anti-trans ad campaign from 2024. He writes: "Trump is for he/him - his grievances, his revenge, his corruption - and for bringing old stuff back 'again,' like coal and gasoline cars. Waymo Democrats are for 'We the People' and reinventing American industry anew."