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.

A self-driving car does not see a road the way a person does. Its computer vision system receives raw pixels from cameras and must convert them into recognizable lanes, signs, vehicles, pedestrians and hazards, then repeat the process in real time, frame after frame. The perception layer that handles this task is described as one of the core foundations of autonomous driving technology.

Cities are moving to fine robotaxi operators whose driverless vehicles obstruct first responders, following repeated incidents of autonomous cars stopping in fire lanes or blocking emergency scenes. The rule aims to force companies like Waymo and Cruise to keep their fleets clear of emergency operations, and it is being discussed as a significant step in regulating the fast-growing autonomous vehicle industry.

Two driverless race cars crashed while traveling at 155 mph, according to Wired, which argues the incident could ultimately be a good thing for autonomous vehicle development. Details about where and when the crash occurred, and who was operating the vehicles, are not provided in the available information.

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's Cybercab robotaxi is drawing attention for its distinctive front lighting feature, referred to as the megalamp, which illuminates during robotaxi rides. Observers are sharing impressions of the vehicle's design details as the two-door, autonomous model continues its rollout and public testing on American roads.

A new safety standard has been introduced covering industrial mobile robots, with a focus on risks that arise after the robots are deployed on factory floors. The standard is aimed at manufacturers and operators of automated guided vehicles and autonomous mobile robots, addressing how safety is maintained once equipment is in live operation rather than only at design stage.

Saildrone, the uncrewed surface vehicle company, is recruiting a Director of Fleet Services, a role advertised via the Ocean Career jobs board. The position would oversee operations and maintenance of the company's global fleet of autonomous ocean research drones. The listing is being shared among professionals in the oceans and offshore environment sector tracking new career opportunities in the growing marine robotics industry.

Autonomous vehicle company Zoox is training its self-driving technology on the streets of Denver, according to CBS News. The Amazon-owned robotaxi firm has been expanding testing beyond its existing California, Nevada and other markets, and Denver's urban road conditions will help its vehicles adapt to new environments. The move marks another step in Zoox's push toward offering driverless ride services to the public.

Belgian satellite navigation maker Septentrio has expanded its mosaic-G5 GNSS receiver ecosystem to better support drone and autonomous unmanned aircraft systems. The move strengthens positioning and heading capabilities for UAS integrators, giving drone manufacturers more options for precise navigation in demanding environments and reinforcing Septentrio's presence in the fast-growing autonomous aerial vehicle market.

Researchers at the University of Florida report that simple visual patterns, such as black-and-white stripes, can trick AI-powered autonomous vehicles and robots into misjudging distances to obstacles, potentially triggering unexpected and dangerous behavior. The findings highlight vulnerabilities in machine vision systems used in self-driving cars and robotics, raising questions about their safety and reliability in real-world environments.

A Japanese self-driving startup has unveiled an AI-powered car, according to Yomiuri, with the stated goal of achieving full automation by 2030. The announcement highlights Japan's growing push into autonomous vehicle technology, as startups compete with global automakers and tech firms racing to bring fully driverless cars to market.

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is advertising a robotics software engineer position, listed through Ocean Career on EC Magazine. The opening reflects continued demand for engineers who can develop autonomous underwater systems and software for ocean research vehicles. Such roles support WHOI's work in deep-sea exploration, underwater robotics and marine science instrumentation.

A new report examines how autonomous vehicles have evolved from experimental technology into vehicles now operating on public roads, and outlines the challenges still ahead. It traces the technical and regulatory milestones that made self-driving possible and considers what the next phase of deployment could look for the industry and consumers.

A new overview examines how EU and UK regulators are developing rules for autonomous vehicles. It highlights differing approaches to approving self-driving technology, safety standards and liability as both jurisdictions work toward allowing wider deployment. Legal observers are weighing how the frameworks could affect automakers, technology developers and consumers, and whether divergence between Brussels and London will complicate cross-border rollout of driverless vehicles.

Euronews reports from the Tallinn Defence EXPO in Estonia, where counter-drone systems and unmanned robotic vehicles are drawing the most attention among exhibitors and visitors. The showcase reflects growing defence industry focus on drone warfare and autonomous systems, driven by lessons from recent conflicts and heightened security concerns in the Baltic region.

California has enacted a law making robotaxi companies liable when their autonomous vehicles obstruct emergency responders. The measure targets incidents in which driverless cars blocked fire trucks, ambulances or police vehicles on city streets. It adds financial accountability for operators such as Waymo and Cruise, and is likely to intensify the ongoing debate over how self-driving cars should be regulated on public roads.

A Chinese team has set a world record by operating 116 autonomous underwater drones simultaneously as a single swarm, using TH-618 vehicles without human control. The test demonstrates Beijing's advancing capabilities in unmanned underwater swarm technology, drawing attention amid growing naval competition and concerns over military applications of autonomous systems at sea.

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.