Latest in Automotive
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Business Standard
26 minutes ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Tesla joins Austin's self-driving race with launch of Robotaxi service
Austin is known for live music, Texas' premier public university and being home to tech companies. It is also becoming a laboratory for autonomous vehicles. Driverless Waymo taxis, owned by Google's parent company, regularly drop off diners at Austin's famous barbecue joints. Box-shaped, four-wheeled robots operated by Avride, a start-up working with Uber Eats, deliver Thai takeout to customers downtown. Zoox, owned by Amazon, and Volkswagen are separately testing autonomous taxis here. Tesla, the electric car company based in Austin, recently joined the party, rolling out self-driving Model Ys ahead of a taxi service that is expected to begin offering rides as soon as Sunday. The vehicles, which the company calls Robotaxis, are part of an audacious effort by Elon Musk, Tesla's chief executive, to leap ahead of Waymo, which dominates a nascent business that someday could be worth tens of billions of dollars and perhaps much more. But the busy streets of Austin show that Tesla will face significant competition and other challenges. It will have to engage in painstaking experimentation to perfect its technology, which some autonomous-driving experts have criticised for having fewer safeguards than those operated by Waymo and other companies. Also, Tesla is starting from behind. Waymo has been driving paying passengers for years in Phoenix, San Francisco and Los Angeles, and started its commercial service in Austin in March in partnership with Uber. Waymo said on Wednesday that it was applying for a permit from New York City to offer rides with a person behind the wheel. A change in state law would be required for fully autonomous rides. A small fleet of Tesla Robotaxis will begin carrying passengers in Austin on June 22, Musk said on X last week but added the company may delay the start of the service. But analysts expect the cars will be available only to company employees or invited guests. The service will probably not be available to the general public for several months, analysts said. Tesla is adapting its most advanced driver assistance software, already offered as an option on the cars it sells, to operate without human intervention. If this approach works, the company could quickly roll out driverless taxis around the world. Musk has said a software update could allow hundreds of thousands or even millions of existing Teslas to operate as autonomous taxis, making cheap driverless rides ubiquitous. But the approach Tesla is taking is unusual. Waymo and other companies working to offer self-driving taxi services have been developing their technologies for years, painstakingly mapping streets and training their software to avoid hitting pedestrians, cyclists, garbage trucks, fire engines and all manner of other things found on public roads. 'FSD is an immature system,' said Matthew Wansley, a professor at Cardozo School of Law in New York, referring to what Tesla calls its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software. Tesla did not respond to a request for comment. Another challenge for Tesla is that its self-driving system is under investigation by federal officials. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking into whether Tesla's technology was responsible for crashes in conditions where the road was obscured by fog, dust, bright light or darkness. One crash led to the death of a pedestrian.
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Volvo Group and Daimler Truck partner to launch Coretura
On Tuesday, Volvo Group and Daimler Truck officially launched Coretura, a joint venture dedicated to developing a standardized software-defined vehicle platform for commercial vehicles. The launch followed binding agreements between the two companies, signed in October 2024. By early June, the companies obtained all required regulatory approvals and began operations in Gothenburg, Sweden. Coretura aims to build a non-differentiating core software platform and dedicated commercial vehicle operating system, as OEMs jockey to position themselves at the forefront of digital transformation in the transportation industry. 'With Coretura, we are setting a clear strategic focus on software development for commercial vehicles,' said Karin Rådström, President and CEO of Daimler Truck in the release. 'This is a big and really exciting step — not just for us, but for the entire industry and our customers. Together we are starting the digital-driven future of trucks and buses, ultimately making commercial vehicles smarter, more connected, and more efficient than ever before.' Coretura's activities include the specification and procurement of centralized high-performance control units designed specifically for commercial vehicles. These units will be capable of handling large amounts of data, allowing for decoupled software and hardware development cycles. A major benefit will enable end customers to purchase and update digital applications wirelessly 'over the air.' The joint venture will be led by a four-member Executive Management team composed of two representatives from each shareholder company. Johan Lundén, previously responsible for Strategic Product Planning, Project and Innovation management at Volvo Group, has been appointed CEO. 'This joint venture blends the agility of a start-up with the stability and expertise of our major shareholders,' said Lundén. 'We are proud and energized to lead the digital transformation in the commercial vehicle industry—backed by strong shareholder support and committed to shaping the industry's future.' Despite the partnership, Volvo Group and Daimler Truck will remain competitors, continuing to differentiate their product and service offerings, including their respective digital solutions. Coretura is open to cooperation with new and traditional suppliers and partners who share its values. Starting with approximately 50 employees, the company plans to grow incrementally, with its first products expected to launch in vehicles by 2030. Preliminary net trailer orders in the U.S. dropped by over 2,300 units from April to May, a 26% decline to 6,600 units, according to the latest data from ACT Research. Despite the monthly decline, orders remained nearly 12% higher compared to May 2024. When seasonally adjusted, May's order intake rises to 9,200 units, with final results expected later in June. ACT notes final order numbers typically fall within 5% of the preliminary data. The May decline aligns with expected seasonal patterns, but broader concerns about market stability remain. 'Lower May net order intake was expected, as it is one of the weakest order months of the annual cycle. More concerning, though, is this level of order acceptance does nothing to support backlog growth, particularly with the elevated cancellation rates reported in the past several months,' said Jennifer McNealy, director CV market research & publications at ACT Research in the release. Multiple factors continue to cause trailer market headwinds for manufacturers and suppliers. Notably, weak for-hire truck market fundamentals, depressed used equipment valuations, and relatively full inventories. High interest rates and uncertainty surrounding potential policy shifts related to tariffs were also mentioned. Looking ahead, ACT Research remains cautious. McNealy added, 'With weak for-hire truck market fundamentals, low used equipment valuations, relatively full inventories, high interest rates, and the ambiguity of policy shifts still in play, ACT's expectations for subdued build and order intake levels during 2025 remain intact.' The post Volvo Group and Daimler Truck partner to launch Coretura appeared first on FreightWaves. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Daily Mail
31 minutes ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Murray: I bought a Ferrari after split from Kim… only to get stopped 2mins later by the police
Heartbreak affects people in many different ways. But Sir Andy Murray has admitted he dealt with a breakup by buying a Ferrari – which he ended up getting rid of within weeks. The sporting great, speaking to a Glasgow audience about his career highs and lows, revealed he made the extravagant purchase in his younger days. He said the pressures of fame affected his personal life and, aged 21, he and his long-term girlfriend Kim Sears split up. In response, he bought a Ferrari because 'I thought that was going to be a cool thing to do'. The car, however, caused a headache. He said: 'When I first took it out on the road I was pulled over by the police. Not because I was driving too quickly but because the insurance hadn't gone through yet. This was literally within two or three minutes of driving on the road with it.' Sir Andy got rid of the car after a couple of months, and he and Kim reconciled, marrying in 2015. He also revealed that after a glittering career taking in two Wimbledon wins and becoming world number one and Olympic champion, he does not miss tennis at all. He said: 'Honestly, I don't miss it at all. And that was something that I was really worried about.' It is nearly a year since Sir Andy officially retired from tennis, and the 38-year-old is now taking part in a four-venue speaking tour of the UK. At the event hosted by sports commentator Andrew Cotter, Sir Andy spoke candidly about the highs and lows of tennis, including his well-documented hip and back problems. He said now he far prefers spending time with Kim and their four young children, with his sporting talents channelled into skiing and golf. Sir Andy said: 'I don't miss hitting a tennis ball. I'm happy just doing stuff with my kids and my family, and just doing normal stuff.' At the age of 15, having been scouted for Rangers, he had to choose between a professional tennis career and football. He chose tennis – but the path was far from easy. He said: 'Unfortunately, in Scotland at that time, there weren't many tennis players and you need to play against a similar level to improve.' At a junior competition with Rafa Nadal, he asked his Spanish rival what his training was like and he mentioned working with Carlos Moya, who was the former world number one. Sir Andy said: 'And I was like, you know, I've got my mum.' Speaking of the difficulties of being in the limelight, Sir Andy said he was ill-prepared and quickly gained a reputation as a 'grumpy teenager'. He added: 'The media in Great Britain can be pretty harsh and the mood changes fast. 'A lot of the pundits are people that you've looked up to ... It's hard. You take what they're saying to heart.' He spoke of the notorious incident when a reporter asked him which team he would support in the 2006 World Cup and he replied 'anyone but England'. Hate mail began to arrive and he was the subject of whispers from other players and their teams at Wimbledon. He said: 'I remember walking to the court for one of my mixed doubles matches and someone was on the phone and just went, ''There's that f***ing Scottish guy,'. 'I was 19 at the time. I was very miserable and I'm aware of that but it changed my relationship with the media.'
Business News Wales
35 minutes ago
- Automotive
- Business News Wales
EV Provider Wins Green Business Award at 2025 Wales Business Awards
Cardiff-based electric vehicle (EV) provider, FleetEV, has won the Green Business Award at the 2025 Wales Business Awards. Founded in 2021, FleetEV focuses on making the switch to EVs practical and efficient through comprehensive leasing, salary sacrifice, and fleet solutions tailored to diverse client needs, across public and private sectors. As the lead supplier on the Welsh Government Commercial Delivery (WGCD) framework for electric vehicle provision, FleetEV has delivered significant impact, saving the Welsh public sector over £1.2 million in the past year alone while pledging to generate £2.5 million in social value during 2024/25. The net zero business was recognised as the leading green business that adopted innovative and effective eco-friendly practices, leading to measurable reductions in their carbon output and a positive environmental and business impact. Jarrad Morris, Founder and CEO at FleetEV, said: 'We are incredibly proud to be recognised as Wales's leading green business. The Wales Business Awards highlight the best of Welsh business, and to be counted among them is an honour. 'From the outset, our mission has been to support businesses and public sector organisations in making the transition to electric vehicles as seamless and impactful as possible. We believe sustainability should never be a compromise – it should be an advantage. This award reinforces that belief and reflects the hard work of our team, the strength of our partnerships, and the trust our clients have placed in us. 'As we look ahead, we remain committed to delivering innovative, data-driven solutions that not only reduce emissions but also create measurable value, economically, environmentally, and socially. We're proud to be a green business, through and through, and this recognition is a milestone in our journey to help drive Wales toward a net zero future.' Gus Williams, Interim CEO at Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, said: 'Congratulations to FleetEV on winning the Green Business Award at this year's Wales Business Awards. In a highly competitive category filled with exceptional businesses, FleetEV stood out for their ambition, drive, rapid growth and success in a competitive market, but what really impressed us was their wider approach – the desire to have a positive impact with all their stakeholders, including their community work and support of local schools and sports, in particular.'
CTV News
35 minutes ago
- Automotive
- CTV News
New study reveals pedestrians narrowly miss being struck at intersections every day in Canada
Andrew Brennan breaks down a new CAA study highlighting the dangers facing pedestrians and cyclists at intersections in Canada. A new study commissioned by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) uncovered more than 600,000 near-miss incidents involving pedestrians and cyclists at intersections across Canada. The seven-month study, conducted with Miovision, collected data at 20 intersections using 360-degree cameras and artificial intelligence to track near misses that aren't typically recorded by police. 'These aren't just close calls, they are collisions waiting to happen,' said Teresa Di Felice, assistant vice president of government and community relations at CAA South Central Ontario. Near-miss intersection A new study reveals pedestrians and cyclists face high-risk near-misses every day in Canada. (CAA / Miovision) The study found one in every 770 pedestrians and one in every 500 cyclists experienced a high-risk near-miss. Right-turning vehicles posed the greatest risk, involved in over half of pedestrian and cyclist close calls. Left-turning vehicles were involved in roughly one-third of near-miss incidents. 'The findings are clear, near-misses are not isolated events, they are daily warnings that demand attention,' said Di Felice. CAA estimates that serious near-misses happen multiple times each day at some locations. CAA study Footage that CAA reviewed a showing a near miss between a vehicle and pedestrians in a Canadian city. Uploaded June 18, 2025. (CAA) The study also identified intersection designs that help reduce near-misses, including dedicated left-turn lanes, leading pedestrian intervals that give pedestrians a head start, and advanced green lights for turning vehicles. According to CAA, tracking near misses allows cities to improve safety before collisions happen. The organization is urging municipal and provincial governments to adopt technology-based monitoring and make proactive changes based on this data.
