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Kirsten is still out doing Kirsten things, so I (Rebecca Bellan) will continue to pass along all the tech mobility news that’s fit to print.
It’s been a week since Tesla’s flashy robotaxi reveal, and everyone seems to have differing opinions on what Elon Musk showcased and, crucially, what he left out.
Obviously the big deal was the robotaxi or Cybercab (not sure what Tesla is calling it these days). We expected one prototype to roll out onto the manicured streets of the Hollywood studio where the event was held, but instead we got 20 Cybercabs. They look like a smaller, sleeker Cybertruck — a design choice that shocked no one — and are built with no steering wheel or pedals. The vehicles can also only seat two passengers, an odd choice for a robotaxi and one that Musk didn’t explain. But he did provide yet another timeline he’s likely to miss — the start of robotaxi production is set for 2026 or 2027. Oh, and anyone can apparently purchase their very own for $30,000.
Musk also said he expects Tesla to release “unsupervised FSD” to Model Y and Model 3 vehicles in California and Texas in 2025. I have some thoughts about why that, and the mass production of robotaxis built without human controls, doesn’t seem feasible from a regulatory perspective.
The biggest surprise of the night was the unveiling of a Robovan, a sleek-looking autonomous bus that can carry up to 20 people and also transport goods. But aside from hand-waving at a miraculous, autonomous future, Musk didn’t provide timelines or a go-to-market strategy for this vehicle.
Nor did he provide much of that information for any of Tesla’s products showcased that night, including its Optimus bots (which, by the way, were remotely controlled by humans, something Musk did not disclose to excited investors).
And despite bullishness from many Tesla fans, including apparently Anthony Levandowski, that failure to provide clarity, coupled with concern over a lack of near-term growth opportunities, caused Tesla’s stock to tumble around 10% Friday after the event. And it hasn’t recovered much since.
A little bird
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Deals!
Aerleum has come up with a way to take carbon dioxide out of the air and transform it into another compound. And it’s starting with methanol, an alcohol that can be burned as fuel in cargo ships or used to make aviation fuel. The startup raised $6 million in seed funding from 360 Capital and HTGF, with participation from Bpifrance, Marble, and Norrsken.
GM Ventures has invested $10 million into Forge Nano, a startup that’s developing a thin coating that could help improve the safety and lifetime of cathode-active materials and reduce overall battery costs.
Shiftmove, a platform for fleet management software, has acquired digital fleet management platform Optimum Automotive. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the deal allows Shiftmove to expand into France.
Voi has placed €50 million of senior secured bonds under a total framework of €125 million. The micromobility company will use the funds to scale its current 110,000 e-scooter and e-bike fleets, refinance existing debt, and generally keep the lights on.
Notable reads and other tidbits
Autonomous vehicles
Waymo has apparently hooked it up for the woman who created a livestream over the summer to show how the company’s robotaxis were honking at all hours of the night. She got seemingly never-ending free Waymo rides and even an ice cream party!
Electric vehicles, charging, & batteries
California cops are regretting their decision to replace their fleets with Tesla Model Ys.
Fisker’s plan to liquidate its assets has been accepted by its bankruptcy court. Also settled is who will pay for the labor costs associated with two of the automaker’s recalls.
General Motors has launched the GM Energy PowerBank, a stationary storage product that the company says will give EV owners the power to store and transfer energy from the grid, with the option of integrating with solar power. The company’s energy management products are now also available across the U.S.
Tesla’s Cybertruck is getting blowback in Europe as pedestrian safety advocates look at those pointy angles on that heavy truck and think, “That would really hurt if it hit someone.” That could lead to a poor safety rating, which could doom sales.
During Toyota’s Mobility Show Bizweek 2024, the automaker unveiled portable hydrogen cartridges that could reduce the size and weight of hydrogen tanks. The prototypes are designed to make hydrogen usage easier and safer.
Future of Flight
Paladin’s 30-person team worked nights and weekends to help the police department in Asheville, North Carolina, after the city was hit by Hurricane Helene. Its software was able to control drones remotely, allowing them to help locate people and drop off supplies.
Miscellaneous
Google has introduced a feature that will help you find the cheapest flights for your next trip. Usually Google shows you the “best” options, based on price and convenience. But some of us are willing to go to the airport at 5 a.m. to save $50.
Glovo, the Spanish food delivery and quick-commerce service, is experimenting with adding a bunch of social features to drive more in-app activity. It’s also letting restaurants upload food prep videos to make you hungry and ready to throw your money at talented chefs.
This week’s wheels
I’ve been driving around a family member’s 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Edition for the last few months, so I thought now’s as good a time as any to share my thoughts on the whip.
Now, I don’t do car reviews often, so I’m not sure if it’s okay to say that this car slaps. But it does. My favorite thing about this crossover? The acceleration. It can go from 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds, so there’s rarely a moment when I’m trying to make a swift left turn or change lanes in traffic when I think, “Oh no, I won’t make it! Best wait for a better opening.” That’s because electric motors mounted on the rear and both axles combine to make 480 horsepower and up to 634 pound-feet of torque, and you really feel it.
The Mach-E has three drive modes that adjust the car’s performance and experience: Engage, Whisper, and Unbridle. Engage is the most chill, Whisper gives you a more gradual acceleration and a lighter “coasting” deceleration response, and Unbridle makes you feel like you’re on the race track.
The battery life is pretty decent as well, at around a 300-mile capacity before needing a charge. I never really felt battery anxiety with it, but of course, I can charge it at home and don’t have to rely on America’s ailing EV charging infrastructure.
The vehicle’s appearance is also sporty and stylish, and inside it feels luxurious and sensible. There’s also decent storage space in the back, and the seats fold down nicely.
Some things I don’t love about it? It’s a bumpy ride if you’re in the backseat, and I’m not sure why that is exactly other than a vague idea about suspension issues. The car also beeps at you relentlessly, for safety reasons, when you’re getting too close to another object. But when you’re parallel parking in New York City and there’s a line of cars waiting impatiently to pass you on a one-way street, that additional beeping can really throw you off your game.
Finally, while the 15.5-inch screen is great for displaying GPS routing and other infotainment needs, I don’t love that certain car controls — like heating and cooling — have to be accessed through the screen because it takes my eyes off the road. Some features should remain buttons.
And while I know this isn’t a review of Ford’s latest Mustang Mach-E, hopefully it’ll help some of you out there considering whether it’s worth it to buy a used 2022 model.
What is “This week’s wheels”? It’s a chance to learn about the different transportation products we’re testing, whether it’s an electric or hybrid car, an e-bike, or even a ride in an autonomous vehicle.
