OTA updates, app changes, autopilot, and tech feature rollouts.
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Tesla has submitted four new crash reports to the NHTSA, including a notable incident where a remote operator drove a Robotaxi into a tree stump in Houston. This marks the first time Tesla has officially categorized a crash as resulting from remote operation, highlighting potential safety concerns associated with this technology.
XPeng has announced that its new L03 electric SUV coupe will be the first vehicle from an Asia-Pacific automaker to ship with Google Maps' Auto SDK. This integration replaces XPeng's previous navigation system with Google Maps data and enhances its driver-assistance features, including NGP and XPILOT ASSIST, outside of China. This development marks a significant shift in the navigation capabilities for XPeng vehicles in international markets.
ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is reportedly exploring opportunities in the autonomous vehicle sector. This move could signal a significant shift in the tech landscape, potentially impacting the development and availability of self-driving technologies. However, specific plans and timelines remain unclear.
Apple has officially discontinued its self-driving car program, which did not meet the company's ambitious goals. However, the AI chipsets developed during this initiative are now being utilized in current iPhones and MacBooks, improving their performance. This shift highlights the company's focus on enhancing existing products rather than pursuing new automotive ventures.
Fisker, which previously went bankrupt without delivering its hands-free driving system, may now implement this feature through an open-source solution. This development affects current and prospective Fisker Ocean owners, although details on the implementation and functionality remain uncertain.
Waze has announced new AI-enabled features aimed at improving destination search capabilities, along with the introduction of a motorcycle mode. These updates will enhance navigation for users, particularly those who ride motorcycles. However, specific details on the rollout timeline and functionality are still pending.
American Truck Simulator has added Volvo's VNL and VNR Electric semi trucks, marking the first appearance of electric trucks in the popular driving game. This update allows players to experience driving these battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) virtually. The introduction of these models may influence perceptions of electric trucks among gamers and potential buyers.
Elon Musk has instructed Tesla employees to transition to using Grok, an AI model developed by his company xAI, which has now merged with SpaceX. This directive follows a recent cap on employee spending for third-party AI tools, even though Musk admits that Grok is inferior to competing models.
A new bill in New Jersey is set to vote on legislation that would require self-driving vehicles to incorporate two additional technologies beyond cameras. This change specifically targets Tesla's robotaxi technology, which currently relies solely on camera systems for navigation and operation. If passed, the law could impact Tesla's ability to deploy its autonomous vehicle services in the state.
Tesla has introduced Tesla Home, a home energy management platform that utilizes an AI system called Opticaster. This platform aims to optimize electricity usage and storage, potentially lowering energy bills for users. While the technology is new to consumers, it has been in development for five years.
Tesla's in-cabin camera was unable to prevent a driver from falling asleep while driving at 60 mph, raising concerns about the effectiveness of its safety monitoring features. This incident highlights potential limitations in Tesla's driver attention systems, which may not be solely focused on safety. The implications of this failure could affect driver trust in the technology and its overall effectiveness.
Tesla's latest iOS app update includes code indicating that the in-car cabin camera will be used to verify a driver's identity before activating Full Self-Driving (FSD). If the system cannot confirm the driver's identity matches an authorized profile, FSD will be blocked, and a failure message will appear in the app. This change aims to enhance safety and security for FSD users.
Several Chinese car manufacturers are creating their own smart-driving chips to reduce costs and dependence on third-party suppliers. This shift aims to accelerate the development of autonomous driving technologies within the country. The move could impact the global automotive market, particularly in the EV sector.
Wisk Aero, an eVTOL startup backed by Boeing, is facing a lawsuit from a former employee who alleges they were terminated for whistleblowing about inadequate software testing for the company's autonomous air taxi service. The lawsuit claims that the software did not meet essential aviation testing standards, raising concerns about safety and regulatory compliance in the emerging eVTOL market.
A Tesla driver was filmed asleep at the wheel while traveling at 100 km/h on a highway in British Columbia, prompting questions about the effectiveness of Tesla's driver monitoring system. The incident highlights a gap in the system, as the driver was wearing large sunglasses, which may have hindered the monitoring technology's ability to detect drowsiness. This situation raises concerns for Tesla owners regarding the reliability of safety features intended to prevent such occurrences.
Tesla has announced a new Robotaxi service area in Miami, which encompasses a small section of the metro area, primarily covering West Miami and extending towards Doral and Sweetwater. This development comes as Tesla continues to face difficulties in scaling its Robotaxi operations in Texas, raising questions about the viability of its autonomous service in larger markets.
A Tesla driver has been charged with manslaughter in connection with a crash that killed a 76-year-old woman in Katy, Texas. Prosecutors allege that the driver overrode the Full Self-Driving (FSD) system to accelerate to 73 mph in a residential area, and prior to the incident, he had been searching online for information suggesting that FSD was too timid.
Tesla has announced a new policy that caps employee spending on AI tools at $200 per week, effective July 6. This decision comes after a push for employees to utilize AI more aggressively, indicating challenges in managing associated costs. Notably, the cap does not apply to the Grok AI initiative, which may have different funding parameters.
A recent study indicates that the quality of infotainment screens in vehicles has declined year-over-year, leading to increased dissatisfaction among drivers. This issue affects a broad range of vehicle owners, particularly those with electric vehicles (EVs) that heavily rely on digital interfaces for navigation and connectivity. The study highlights ongoing connectivity issues and user experience challenges.
Tesla has initiated the rollout of Full Self-Driving (FSD) v14 'Lite' for its Hardware 3 (HW3) vehicles, as confirmed by AI chief Ashok Elluswamy. This update, firmware version 2026.20.5.1, is being distributed first to early-access drivers and marks the first significant update since FSD v12.6 was released in early 2025. However, it is important to note that the system remains a supervised, hands-on Level 2 driving assistance feature.
The Stark Varg electric dirt bike now allows owners to download a new performance upgrade directly to their bikes, eliminating the need for dealership visits. This feature enhances the bike's capabilities, making it one of the leading electric off-road motorcycles available. However, specific details about the upgrade's impact on performance metrics have not been disclosed.
Tesla has settled a lawsuit filed by the family of a pedestrian who was killed by a Model Y operating under its Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature. This incident marks the first known pedestrian death associated with FSD and has led to a federal investigation affecting over 3 million Tesla vehicles. The terms of the settlement have not been disclosed.
BYD has partnered with Parkopedia to introduce ParkPay, an in-car service designed to simplify the process of finding and paying for parking. This service will soon include features for electric vehicle (EV) charging, making it more convenient for EV owners. However, specific details about the rollout and availability of these features are still pending.
The family of a 76-year-old woman who died when a Tesla Model 3 crashed into her home in Katy, Texas, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Tesla and the driver. The suit claims that Tesla's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems are defectively designed, echoing arguments made in a previous landmark case against the company. This lawsuit comes just days after the tragic incident.
Tesla has partnered with NatPower to develop 25 gigawatt-hours of battery storage systems in Italy and Britain, marking a significant expansion into Europe's grid storage market. This multiyear agreement is valued at up to $5 billion and will utilize Tesla's Megapack technology and trading software for electricity management. The deal represents a strategic move for Tesla as it seeks to enhance its presence in the growing energy storage sector.
Tesla has acknowledged that its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system was active during a fatal crash in Katy, Texas, which resulted in the death of a 76-year-old woman. The company claims that the driver overrode the system by accelerating to 100%, suggesting that the incident was due to driver error rather than a malfunction of the FSD technology.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating a fatal crash involving a Tesla Model 3 in Katy, Texas, which resulted in the death of a 76-year-old woman. The driver reported that the vehicle was operating on Autopilot at the time of the incident. This investigation may have implications for Tesla's Autopilot system and its safety protocols.
Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature has officially launched in Europe, but its expansion may be hindered by speed limit compliance issues, particularly in Sweden. Authorities in Sweden have raised concerns about the FSD system's tendency to exceed speed limits, which could impact its adoption across the continent.
Tesla has filed a trademark application for a new product called 'Megapod', which is described as a modular AI data center hardware system. This development comes less than a year after the company discontinued its in-house AI training computer, Dojo. The implications of this move for Tesla's operations and its impact on EV buyers and owners remain to be seen.
A Tesla driver reported to investigators that his vehicle was operating on Autopilot when it veered off a residential road in Katy, Texas, and crashed into a home, resulting in the death of a 76-year-old woman. The incident occurred on Friday evening, and authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The collective claim against Tesla regarding unmet 'Full Self-Driving' promises for Hardware 3 vehicles has expanded to nearly 7,000 verified participants. This initiative, which began in April with 3,000 signups, has received support from law firm Kennedy Van der Laan to pursue formal legal action under Dutch collective action law.
Waymo has issued a recall for several of its robotaxis after a flaw was discovered that could cause them to drive into closed highway construction lanes. This marks the second recall for Waymo in two months, following a previous incident involving flooded roads. The recall affects users of Waymo's autonomous vehicle service.
Tesla has announced upcoming features for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, including the ability to remember parking preferences and voice commands through a new interface called Grok. While these enhancements showcase the advancements in FSD technology, they highlight that the system is still a supervised driver-assist tool rather than the fully autonomous driving experience Tesla has promised. This distinction is crucial for current and potential Tesla owners.
Sweden's transport authority has advised the European Union to vote against the approval of Tesla's 'Full Self-Driving (Supervised)' system unless it eliminates the capability to exceed speed limits. This recommendation comes ahead of the EU's Technical Committee on Motor Vehicles meeting on June 30, which will discuss the potential rollout of the system across the bloc.
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe has suggested that the costs associated with self-driving software will decrease over time, similar to how airbags transitioned from a paid option to a standard feature in vehicles. This statement serves as a subtle critique of Tesla's recent shift to a subscription model for its Full Self-Driving package, which now costs $99 per month.
Tesla owners are reportedly using doll heads to trick the vehicle's driver monitoring systems, which are designed to ensure that a human is attentive while using Full Self-Driving (FSD) features. This practice raises concerns about safety and the integrity of autonomous driving technologies. The effectiveness and long-term implications of this method remain uncertain.
Tesla has been accused of presenting misleading safety statistics for its 'Full Self-Driving' (FSD) feature to European regulators in Sweden and the Netherlands. The company claimed that FSD could have 'saved 32,000 lives,' a figure that independent researchers have criticized as based on unrealistic assumptions about vehicle replacement. This revelation raises concerns about the accuracy of safety claims made by Tesla as it seeks regulatory approval in Europe.
A new trend has emerged in China where drivers are using plastic doll heads to deceive Tesla's cabin camera into believing they are paying attention while using the Autopilot feature. These products, marketed as 'travel companions,' are being sold for as little as $20 to $50 and pose significant safety risks. This development highlights ongoing challenges in ensuring driver attentiveness in semi-autonomous vehicles.
Tesla is facing significant legal challenges, with up to $14.5 billion in lawsuits related to its Full Self-Driving (FSD) and Autopilot systems. Recent promotional videos from Tesla have showcased behaviors that contradict the company's legal stance, such as drivers engaging in distracting activities while using FSD. This contradiction raises concerns about the implications for Tesla's legal strategy and the responsibilities of drivers using these systems.
Lucid Group has begun rolling out an over-the-air software update that enables hands-free highway driving for its Gravity SUV in North America. This feature, which was promised over a year ago, has faced delays in its rollout. The update comes at a challenging time for the company, which is currently navigating shareholder lawsuits and leadership changes.
