autonomous vehicles

Iran's IRGC Navy says it seized a US Remus 600 autonomous underwater drone in the Strait of Hormuz and has released footage of the vehicle. The reported seizure, covered by Palestine Chronicle, adds a new flashpoint to tensions between Iran and the United States in the Gulf, where drone and naval incidents have repeatedly raised fears of wider confrontation.

A former Ukrainian defense minister has announced an 'Army of Robots' initiative aimed at speeding up the development and deployment of autonomous warfare systems. The push reflects Ukraine's wartime drive to scale unmanned ground and aerial vehicles amid manpower shortages and ongoing fighting with Russia.

The US military is expanding its use of artificial intelligence by introducing autonomous vehicle technology for the Marine Corps. The move is part of a broader effort to modernize US armed forces with AI-driven systems, reducing the need for human operators in transport and battlefield roles.

Autonomous driving software firm Momenta and Stellantis' Chinese joint venture with Dongfeng have agreed to co-develop intelligent driving technology. The partnership will focus on bringing advanced driver assistance systems to vehicles sold in China, one of the world's largest but most competitive auto markets. The move underscores how global automakers are pairing with local tech suppliers to stay relevant against fast-moving Chinese competitors.

Ukraine says it has airdropped ground robots behind Russian lines as part of operations credited with inflicting thousands of casualties — around 3,000 Russian troops, according to the claim — described by officials as a 'historic moment'. The deployment marks a rare use of unmanned ground vehicles delivered by air to strike at rear positions, adding a new dimension to drone warfare on the battlefield.

Ukraine's Third Army Corps says ground robots fitted with grenade launchers attacked Russian positions during an operation dubbed 'Vivaldi'. The robots, equipped with Bullspike grenade launchers, shelled occupant shelters, drove inside and detonated, according to the corps, which says the strikes destroyed Russian equipment and positions.

TechCrunch's Mobility newsletter reports that autonomous vehicle companies are increasingly narrowing their focus to specific markets and use cases rather than pursuing broad self-driving ambitions. The piece examines how startups in the sector are choosing where to compete, reflecting a maturing industry where companies are prioritizing viable business lines.

Analysts in the autonomous vehicle industry are examining what it would take to expand robotaxi services from roughly 14 cities today to 15,000. The discussion centers on the hardware, regulatory approvals, capital and operational capacity required to grow driverless ride-hailing at large scale.

Speculation is growing that Tesla may be preparing to launch an unsupervised version of its Full Self-Driving system, removing the need for a driver to monitor the car. The topic was raised alongside conversations with Ara, Tesla's Grok-powered AI assistant, which can interact with vehicle systems. Observers are weighing how close Tesla actually is to true driverless operation.

TechCrunch's Mobility newsletter reports that autonomous vehicle companies are increasingly picking specific niches rather than pursuing broad self-driving ambitions. The piece suggests the industry is maturing, with firms concentrating on particular lanes such as trucking, robotaxis or delivery instead of competing across the whole sector. It reflects a broader shift toward specialization as companies seek sustainable business models in a capital-intensive market.

Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio will operate a dedicated battery swapping network for Geely's ride-hailing brand Cao Cao Mobility and robotaxi fleets, according to an industry report. The arrangement would give Geely's commercial fleets access to Nio's fast battery swap technology through a segregated network, separate from the one serving Nio's own customers, as both automakers push deeper into fleet and autonomous mobility services.

Uber is set to add Zoox robotaxis to its ride-hailing fleet, according to a report picked up by retail traders. Retail investors reacted by saying the deal 'makes the most sense for Amazon', which owns Zoox, framing it as a way for the company to monetize its autonomous vehicles without building its own consumer ride-hailing service.

Tycho.AI has been selected to develop a small autonomous interceptor designed to counter enemy drones for US Special Operations Command. The system would give special operations forces a compact way to neutralize hostile unmanned aerial vehicles. The announcement draws attention to the accelerating push within the US defense sector to field AI-driven counter-drone technologies as drone threats multiply across conflict zones.

Volkswagen of America announced that its 2027 models will feature in-vehicle gaming, letting passengers play games on the car's infotainment system. The move follows a broader automotive trend of turning dashboards into entertainment hubs, especially as electric vehicles and autonomous features change how people spend time in cars. Car enthusiasts and tech watchers are weighing in on what built-in gaming means for drivers and passengers.

Ukraine's 475th Code 9.2 Regiment says its AI-enabled drones are striking Russian armored vehicles before they can reach the border of the Kharkiv region. The unit claims its drones are destroying Russian armor on a near-industrial scale. The claim highlights the growing role of autonomous targeting in Ukraine's defense against Russian advances.

Tesla has secured $30 billion in new credit facilities, funds the company plans to use to scale up production of its Cybercab robotaxi and Optimus humanoid robot. The move signals Tesla is preparing for major manufacturing expansion in its robotics and autonomous vehicle programs, and it is drawing attention from business and tech watchers tracking the company's next growth phase.

Autonomous vehicle company Zoox is training its technology on the streets of Denver, according to CBS News. The Amazon-owned robotaxi developer is expanding its testing beyond its existing markets, and the arrival of its driverless vehicles is drawing local attention as Denver becomes one of the cities where the company is developing and refining its self-driving systems.

University of Florida researchers report that simple visual patterns, such as black-and-white stripes, can trick the vision systems used in AI-powered vehicles and robots. Such patterns could cause an autonomous vehicle or robot to misjudge the distance to an obstacle, potentially triggering unexpected and dangerous behavior.

Portugal, Slovakia and Norway have joined a European initiative to develop large-scale, cross-border testbeds for autonomous vehicles, bringing the number of participating countries to 22. Spain joined just last week. The expansion is formalised through a Joint Declaration of Intent, signalling growing European coordination on self-driving vehicle testing and regulation.