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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.
Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system has received provisional approval in Denmark, becoming the fourth European country to do so in just two months. This approval comes after previous concerns about the technology were raised at the EU level. The decision was confirmed by the Danish Road Traffic Authority, Færdselsstyrelsen.
Apple is set to add video playback capabilities to CarPlay with the upcoming iOS 27 update. This change follows a similar feature introduced by Google for Android Auto. The specific details on how this feature will be implemented and any limitations are still unclear.
The Lucid Gravity, a three-row SUV, has received a significant software update that adds hands-free driving capabilities and integrates Google Maps. This update enhances the driving experience for current and prospective owners, although specific details about the functionality and limitations of these features are still emerging.
Elon Musk is encountering criticism regarding potential merger discussions between Tesla and SpaceX, alongside internal issues related to Full Self Driving. While these merger talks have sparked debate, the solar sector appears unaffected. The situation remains fluid as stakeholders express their concerns.
A Beijing court has conducted its first hearing in a consumer fraud lawsuit against Tesla, initiated by 10 owners seeking 3.95 million yuan ($583,000) in damages related to the company's 'Full Self-Driving' software. This case marks the first collective legal challenge in China targeting Tesla's FSD claims, expanding from an initial group of seven plaintiffs.
BYD has announced that it will take full financial responsibility for at-fault accidents occurring while its God’s Eye urban driving system is active in China. This commitment stands in stark contrast to Tesla's approach with its Full Self-Driving feature, which does not include such liability coverage. The implications of this policy shift could significantly impact consumer confidence and insurance considerations in the EV market.
Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) version 14 has been praised for its impressive capabilities, but it may also lead to dangerous driver complacency. The latest update encourages a level of trust that could result in drivers becoming less attentive, which is a significant safety concern. Tesla's marketing strategies may further exacerbate this issue.
Tesla has secured a patent for a miniature camera cleaning system designed to enhance the clarity of vehicle cameras used in its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology. This development aims to address the common issue of dirty cameras that trigger alerts for drivers. However, the implementation of this system is currently limited to Tesla's Robotaxi fleet, leaving consumer vehicles without this feature.
Tesla has announced that its unsupervised 'Robotaxi' service now operates across the entire Austin metro area, marking a significant expansion of its service area. However, the fleet remains limited to approximately 20 active vehicles, a number that has reportedly decreased recently. This raises questions about the service's availability and scalability in a large urban environment.
Xpeng is reportedly spending approximately $500 million each year on AI training to enhance its autonomous driving capabilities. The company's head of autonomous driving claims that Xpeng has achieved parity with Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) version 13 and is aiming for version 14 by the end of summer. This development could significantly impact the competitive landscape of autonomous driving technology in the EV market.
T1 Energy, previously known as FREYR Battery, has announced the acquisition of KORE Power, a company specializing in battery storage and software solutions. This strategic move aims to bolster T1 Energy's footprint in the growing markets of energy storage and AI-driven data centers. The full implications of this acquisition for the EV sector remain to be seen.
Tesla has filed a patent for a new camera system designed to mimic the blinking of a human eye. This innovation aims to enhance the functionality of Tesla's cameras, potentially improving their ability to clean themselves and maintain optimal performance. The full implications of this technology for Tesla vehicles and their users are still unclear.
Self-driving technology has roots that extend back decades, predating modern efforts by companies like Waymo and Tesla. Notably, a Mercedes van utilized cameras and computers to autonomously navigate the autobahn long before today's advancements. This historical context highlights the gradual evolution of autonomous driving technology.
A new plug-and-play device priced at $199 allows General Motors electric vehicle (EV) owners to use Apple CarPlay, addressing a common complaint about the lack of this feature in GM's EVs. However, there are limitations regarding compatibility and functionality that potential buyers should consider.
Recent leaks from Tesla employees reveal significant dissatisfaction with the company's Full Self-Driving (FSD) plans. This internal feedback highlights concerns about the technology's current capabilities and future direction, impacting both potential and current Tesla owners. The extent of these issues raises questions about the reliability and readiness of FSD for widespread use.
Elon Musk announced during the Smart Mobility Summit that Tesla's unsupervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology will be 'widespread' in the United States by the end of 2023. Currently, Tesla operates fewer than 30 unsupervised robotaxis in three Texas cities, raising questions about the feasibility of Musk's timeline given past delays in autonomous driving advancements.
Tesla has announced a 33% speed increase for its Actually Smart Summon feature, raising the maximum speed from 6 mph to 8 mph with the release of FSD version 14.3.3. This update is part of a broader software version 2026.14.6.6 that integrates Spring 2026 features with the FSD branch for the first time. While the increase is notable, it may not significantly enhance the user experience given the modest speed cap.
Following Fisker Inc.'s Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2024, approximately 11,000 Fisker Ocean SUV owners faced the loss of software support and warranties for their vehicles. In response, these owners banded together to reverse-engineer their cars' software and establish an open-source car company, ensuring continued functionality and support for their vehicles.
The Nio Firefly has received a software update that enables Nintendo Switch casting, allowing users to play their games directly on the vehicle's display. This feature is unique to the Firefly and enhances the in-car entertainment experience for owners. However, details on the functionality and limitations of this feature remain sparse.
Tesla has unredacted all 17 of its autonomous driving crash narratives submitted to the NHTSA, providing insights into each incident for the first time. The findings indicate that most crashes were not the fault of the autonomous driving system, although some concerning incidents were reported. This transparency marks a significant shift in how Tesla shares information about its autonomous driving technology.
Tesla has made it mandatory for drivers to provide feedback whenever they intervene while using the 'Full Self-Driving' feature. This change, introduced with FSD version 14.3.2 as part of software update 2026.2.9.9, requires drivers to select a reason or send a voice note, as the feedback prompt now remains on screen indefinitely. Tesla did not formally announce this update but retroactively included it in the release notes.
Researchers have developed an AI-powered battery management system that can extend the lifespan of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, potentially adding thousands of extra miles. This advancement is significant for EV owners looking to maximize battery performance, but details on its implementation and availability remain unclear.
Android Auto has received a significant update that allows it to utilize the entire screen of a vehicle, providing edge-to-edge maps. This update enhances the user experience for drivers by offering HD video playback and uninterrupted media access. However, specific details regarding compatibility with various car models are not yet confirmed.
