Last year, after Tesla updated the radar, camera, and ultrasonic sensors on its electric cars, CEO Elon Musk said the new hardware’s capabilities would lag behind the cars on the street already. Now, Musk has projected that the “Hardware 2.0” cars may surpass the older generation of “Hardware 1.0” vehicles and be “fully self-driving” in 3 to 6…
Panasonic sees Tesla as deeper partner for self-driving cars too: CEO
Japanese electronics firm Panasonic has been a close partner of Tesla Motors for many years now. It is the Silicon Valley automaker's sole battery supplier, it helps fund and operate the Tesla "Gigafactory" in Nevada, and the company owns a small stake in the carmaker. But Panasonic wants to move its partnership with Tesla beyond batteries...
When will you buy your first fully autonomous car? Poll results
While electric cars received a disproportionate amount of media attention over the last five years, the focus is now turning. At the recent Consumer Electronics Show and Detroit Auto Show earlier this month, cynical journalists were moved to propose a drinking game. Participants would have to take a drink every time an automaker used the words...
Chrysler Portal concept: all-electric minivan for CES offers some self-driving
It was widely rumored that Chrysler would reveal an all-electric minivan at this week's Consumer Electronics Show—and now we have the details. But the Chrysler Portal concept that will debut at CES won't be showing up at your local dealer any time soon. Far from it, in fact: the Portal is Fiat Chrysler's idea of a future in which we'll...
Tesla’s autonomous-car efforts use big data no other carmaker has
In the automotive industry, Tesla is a leader in many respects—but it's hardly head-and-shoulders above the rest when it comes to self-driving cars. The Silicon Valley automaker is developing fully autonomous cars, but it's part of a crowded field that includes many other automakers and a handful of rich tech companies as well. Still...
Fusion Hybrid again used for latest Ford autonomous test vehicle
If you see a Ford Fusion Hybrid mid-size sedan cruising along with no apparent input from the driver, rest assured that you are not hallucinating. Since 2013, Ford has used modified Fusion Hybrid sedans to test autonomous-driving technology. The automaker is now rolling out an updated version, which will form the basis for a larger fleet of test...
Electric Chevy Bolt EV will be GM’s first autonomous car
With its EPA-rated 238-mile range and a base price of $37,495, the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV is a serious foray by General Motors into mass-market, long-range electric cars. It turns out the Bolt EV will play another important role for the company, too: it will be a testbed for its autonomous-driving technologies. Earlier this year, autonomous Bolt...
For car-sharing to grow, 6 assumptions are key: Daimler
Since its launch eight years ago, Daimler's Car2Go car-sharing service has expanded to multiple cities across Europe, the U.S., and China. Daimler—parent company of Mercedes-Benz, Smart, and a handful of other brands—was one of the first automakers to get involved in car sharing, but several other manufacturers are showing interest as...
Rinspeed Oasis electric urban car to appear at CES, Detroit Auto Show
Swiss design firm Rinspeed does not produce vehicles for sale, but it has built quite a number of unusual concept cars over the years. Its latest work will be displayed at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show and the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, which run within days of each other next month. The Rinspeed Oasis is a self-driving electric car designed to...
Tesla to roll out Autopilot self-driving capabilities ‘very soon’
Tesla Motors will soon begin rolling out software to restore lost Autopilot driver-assistance features, its CEO says, as a prelude to what the company claims will be the launch of genuine self-driving capabilities. Last month, Tesla announced that it was equipping new Model S and Model X electric cars with a more elaborate suite of sensors, known...