On Feb. 24, Apollo Tyres inaugurated its dedicated outdoor tire-testing facility in Ivalo, Finland, marking a significant step in its commitment to improving the performance of winter and all-season tires. The facility, developed under a long-term agreement with the automotive testing and certification organization UTAC, became fully operational in December 2025 and held a formal opening this week. The testing facility includes snow and ice tracks that replicate real-world winter conditions, ...

Beam Global, a provider of infrastructure solutions for electrification, energy security and smart city infrastructure, and HEVO Inc., a developer of wireless charging technology, have launched an integrated autonomous wireless charging system. This system uses Beam Global's EV ARC, an off-grid, solar-powered EV charging infrastructure, combined with HEVO's Rezonant wireless charging hardware and Journey software platform. The system offers a solution for the autonomous vehicle sect...

DSPACE has announced its participation in SDVerse, which is the automotive industry's first business-to-business marketplace dedicated to software. By joining SDVerse, dSPACE aims to make its hardware- and software-in-the-loop (HIL/SIL) simulation, sensor and scenario simulation, AI-supported test automation, and cloud-based validation solutions more accessible to automotive manufacturers and suppliers globally, aiding original equipment manufacturers and tier 1 suppliers in expediting the ...

Elektrobit and Mobileye have announced the integration of EB corbos Linux for Safety Applications into Mobileye Drive, a scalable end-to-end Level 4 self-driving system. This collaboration will utilize Elektrobit's safety-compliant solution, offering automotive-grade features and field updates for global original equipment manufacturer offerings and robo-taxi vendors. The partnership indicates Mobileye's interest in EB corbos Linux for Safety Applications, which is the first open-source opera...

Pure Lithium Corp., a company focusing on lithium-metal battery technology, has received a patent in Japan for its vertically integrated lithium-metal production and battery production. This follows previous patent approvals in the US and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The patented technology involves manufacturing pure lithium metal anodes alongside lithium-metal batteries, resulting in high-purity lithium metal anodes that enhance battery performance. This integration reduces costs by capturi...

Renesas Electronics announced that its advanced driver assistance system automotive system-on-chip (SoC), R-Car V4H, has been chosen for the TSS(LSS) control unit in Toyota Motor Corp.'s new RAV4 model, which launched in December 2025. This control unit is supplied by DENSO Corp. The R-Car V4H is developed for ADAS applications and efficiently manages processing in the RAV4, including functions such as camera and radar sensor fusion, Driver Monitor, Advanced Park and panoramic views for enh...

Torc Robotics has announced the expansion of its autonomous truck testing operations to public roads in Michigan, US. This expansion utilizes the latest-generation Daimler Truck autonomous chassis based on the Freightliner Cascadia. Torc has previously established testing operations in Dallas-Fort Worth and Blacksburg, and the expansion in Michigan marks further growth in the region. The company is deepening its engineering presence and broadening testing capabilities with this move. Testing ...

BMW plans to discontinue the Level 3 eyes-off automated driving system in its 7 Series with a model update scheduled for the end of April. The updated 7 Series will feature a newly developed Level 2 driver assistance system from BMW's Neue Klasse technology platform, already being introduced in the iX3 and set for broader application across future models. The current Level 3 system, known as Personal Pilot L3, allows conditional automated driving, but BMW cites cost and limited real-world applic...

Panasonic Automotive Systems Co. Ltd. has completed the development of a VirtIO-compliant in-vehicle software platform for the cockpit domain controller (CDC). The company has been actively promoting the global adoption and standardization of VirtIO, an open-source device virtualization technology, for automotive applications. This initiative has been endorsed by major automakers, including Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan and Toyota, as well as companies in the IT and semiconductor secto...

The BMW Group will begin using recycled CO₂-reduced steel called bluemint from thyssenkrupp Steel starting in 2026. This low-carbon steel will be integrated into several key areas of the BMW iX3, including outer panels, interior parts and battery housing. Bluemint recycled steel contains a high proportion of recycled material and achieves verified CO₂ savings compared to conventional steel due to a mass-balanced allocation process. This method allows CO₂ reductions from production to be...

Ablic Inc., part of the MinebeaMitsumi Group and led by President Seiji Tanaka, has introduced the S-19760/1 Series automotive shunt reference integrated circuits (ICs). This new series offers output voltage accuracy of ±0.1% and output voltage temperature coefficient of ±20 ppm/°C. The ICs serve as a reference voltage for A/D converters, which transform analog sensor signals into digital values. Notable features of the S-19760/1 Series include the industry-topping output voltage accuracy ...

Tasking, a company specializing in high-performance embedded software development tools, has announced enhancements to its unified toolchain designed to provide more comprehensive timing analysis for real-time, multicore embedded systems. The toolchain integrates Tasking's compiler technology, BlueBox debuggers, winIDEA IDE, and the LDRA tool suite. These enhancements aim to help developers assess complex timing issues, such as worst-case execution time (WCET), in line with industry standards. T...

Bharat Forge and VVDN Technologies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore strategic collaboration in various technology-driven sectors. The two companies plan to pursue opportunities in sectors such as automotive systems, defense applications, AI infrastructure and data center platforms.  The partnership leverages VVDN's expertise in electronics design, software development and system integration alongside Bharat Forge's capabilities in advanced manufacturing and prec...

BorgWarner has secured a supply order from a premium European original equipment manufacturer to supply its 800-volt Integrated Drive Module (iDM) for a range-extended electric vehicle (REEV), with mass production scheduled to commence in 2029. Last week, the US-based supplier also won an order to supply 800-volt secondary iDMs and a dual-inverter generator module for a North American OEM. This iDM is a comprehensive system that features BorgWarner's innovative single-electric-machine design,...

Rivian has launched its latest over-the-air (OTA) software updates in a bid to bring more features to its customers. These include refined software calibration for Gen 1 Quad-Motor and both Gen 1 and Gen 2 Dual-Motor Performance owners, unlocking greater power and sharper agility. These Rivian owners can now gain access to Launch Mode, which delivers faster acceleration. To activate, owners need to select Sport Mode, tap the flag icon and hold the brake and accelerator simultaneously. Al...

Tesla Europe has announced plans to incorporate xAI's AI chatbot, Grok, into its vehicle infotainment systems across the UK and eight other European markets. This move comes amid a 27% decline in Tesla's electric vehicle sales in Europe, as reported by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association. Despite strong overall adoption of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in Europe, Tesla faces competition from China's BYD, which has increased its market share with more affordable models. Analysts...

Integrals Power's advanced rich-manganese lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) cathode active materials have successfully surpassed 1,500 cycles in durability testing conducted by QinetiQ, a renowned testing and research company. Pouch cells from the same batch have also been subjected to extreme cold temperature testing by Cranfield University, showing 85% retained capacity at -25ºC and 68% at -30ºC. These test results indicate significant improvements compared to other chemistries and ...

CharterUP has announced a partnership with Holon, a provider of a 360° autonomous mobility solution centered on autonomous shuttles. This collaboration aims to integrate Holon's autonomous ecosystem with CharterUP's established AI-enabled mobility network across campuses, airports, transit agencies and community environments. The partnership is set to expand CharterUP's offerings to include Holon urban autonomous shuttles, providing a pathway for institutions to pilot and adopt autonomous ...

Renesas Electronics has unveiled a configurable ternary content-addressable memory (TCAM) built on a 3-nanometer (nm) fin-shaped field-effect transistor (FinFET) process, aimed at enhancing density, lowering power consumption and improving functional safety for automotive applications. The announcement was made at the International Solid-State Circuits Conference 2026 in San Francisco. This development comes amid growing network traffic driven by 5G and cloud/edge computing, prompting a demand f...

ROHM has introduced a new compact package, the HPLF5060, for its 40-V and 60-V automotive metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), targeting applications such as main inverter control circuits, electric pumps and LED headlights. This package, measuring 4.9 mm by 6.0 mm, is designed to accommodate the growing demand for smaller MOSFET packages in the automotive industry. The shift toward compact formats, such as the 5060-size, has posed challenges in reliable board mount...

For most of the past century, the car’s relationship with its owner has been transactional and forgetful. A car burned fuel, wore out brake pads and occasionally stalled at inconvenient moments. It did not remember where its driver had been, how fast they drove, whom they called or how long they lingered outside a particular address. Today’s cars do all of that and more. Modern vehicles generate rivers of data. Sensors track location, acceleration, battery health and driving behavior. Inf...

Tesla has announced the production of its first Cybercab at Gigafactory Texas. This vehicle, devoid of a steering wheel and pedals, relies entirely on autonomous driving software, which Tesla has not yet perfected. Despite the production milestone, Tesla's robo-taxi program in Austin, Texas, shows a high crash rate, nearly four times that of human drivers, with limited availability and a small fleet still requiring safety monitors. The Cybercab, intended solely as an autonomous taxi costing unde...

BorgWarner has secured a contract with a major North American original equipment manufacturer to supply its 800-V secondary integrated drive module (iDM) and a generator module with a dual inverter. These components will be integrated into the automaker's range-extended electric vehicle (REEV) trucks and large-frame sport utility vehicle models, with production starting in 2029. This supply order represents several milestones for BorgWarner, including the introduction of its next-generation V...

BWI Group has updated its Semi Active Roll Control (SARC) system to include a new automatic mode that allows a vehicle's anti-roll bar to disconnect and reconnect seamlessly while driving. This development addresses the increasing challenge in modern chassis engineering caused by growing vehicle mass, as sport utility vehicles represented more than half of new car registrations in Europe in 2024, and battery-electric vehicles are about 30% heavier than internal combustion engine models. The u...

The US has finalized significant tariffs on imports of anode-grade graphite from mainland China following a US Commerce Department finding that the product was sold at a below-market price in the US. The government plans to impose a 93.5% antidumping duty and a 67% countervailing duty on this essential battery material. These duties are set to replace preliminary rates, with a notable decrease from over 700% for two specific companies. Countervailing duties are applied when imports receive unfai...

Ford Motor Co. is preparing for the launch of an affordable electric vehicle line in 2027, with a starting price of $30,000, aimed at competing with the growing presence of mainland Chinese automakers. The new EV is designed to be lighter, more streamlined and more efficient, extending the driving range by nearly 50 miles. The company's objective is to create a budget-friendly EV that remains appealing to consumers by integrating advanced technologies, such as semi-autonomous driving, which will...

Dynamic Map Platform (DMP) has completed its high-definition map across Canada, now covering 120,636 miles, including Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island, bringing its total North American coverage to nearly 1 million miles. This comprehensive mapping positions the Japan-based mapping specialist as a key provider of geospatial data necessary for various industries, including automotive, with applications in advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous driving functions, as we...

Infineon Technologies is significantly contributing to the development of BMW Group's Neue Klasse, which is a platform aimed at individual mobility through electrification, digitalization and sustainability. This platform provides an integrated and future-ready electrical/electronic (E/E) architecture, laying the ground for improved and sustainable mobility solutions. Infineon's role includes delivering dependable computing, high-speed connectivity and efficient power management. At the Annual G...

Shift Car Rental, under AWR Mobility, has partnered with Amber Connect to integrate AI-powered vehicle telematics and internet of things solutions into its entire fleet in the United Arab Emirates. This initiative aims to enhance Shift's offerings by providing real-time insights into vehicle performance, driving behaviors, fuel consumption and predictive maintenance, thus improving operational efficiency and the rental experience for customers. The collaboration supports Shift's sustainability g...

Volvo has announced a significant software update for over 2.5 million cars equipped with a Google-based infotainment system built after 2020. The update, version 5.0.5, was initially planned for release by the end of 2025 but has been postponed to the start of 2026. According to Volvo's website, the new software version went live on Feb. 16 and will begin reaching vehicles in about three weeks as an over-the-air update, although owners can opt to have the update installed at a dealership earlie...

Cinemo has collaborated with ŠKODA to integrate Spotify natively into the infotainment systems of current Enyaq models with software versions 4.x and 5.x, as well as all Elroq models. This integration, powered by Cinemo CORE, allows users to access Spotify directly from the vehicle's center display, offering seamless access to music, podcasts and audiobooks. The initiative aims to enhance the in-car audio experience by providing a more premium listening experience for both drivers and passen...

The Odyssey Trust has announced a partnership with local electric vehicle charging provider Weev, aimed at introducing EV charging infrastructure at the Lagan-side car park, thus allowing Odyssey car park customers access to Weev's services. This collaboration marks an advancement in The Odyssey Trust's sustainability endeavors, focusing on practical, long-term improvement through local collaboration. Weev has installed two 22-kW alternating current chargers, providing four charging poin...

Mega Energi Biru Indonesia (MEBI) and Huawei Tech Investment have jointly launched Indonesia's first electric vehicle charging station featuring liquid-cooling technology and a split-charging system in Gading Serpong, Tangerang. This station utilizes Huawei's FusionCharge technology, marking the first time a liquid-cooled charging system with split charging has been implemented in Indonesia and representing Huawei's third global deployment of this technology. MEBI President Commissioner Rahay...

The Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development in Kazakhstan has announced the pilot launch of autonomous cars as part of urban mobility projects. Trials for driverless vehicles are set to occur in Almaty, Astana and the Akmola region. This initiative aims to transform traditional traffic patterns and contribute to creating a new segment within the digital economy. Authorities anticipate that the advancement of unmanned technologies will, in the long term, provide additional ...

Xpeng recently demonstrated its AI-driven advanced driver assistance system to international delegates during the UN/WP.29 Informal Working Group on Automated Driving Systems (IWG ADS) session in Shanghai. This forum is dedicated to creating global rules for automated driving systems and was convened offline in China for the first time. While the IWG ADS typically includes government and industry experts contributing technical knowledge, Xpeng stood out as the only emerging Chinese automake...

BorgWarner has secured a new electric cross differential (eXD) program with a mainland China-based original equipment manufacturer. The solution is designed specifically for a 48-V system and integrates seamlessly with the OEM customer's existing 48-V electrical/electronic (E/E) architecture. This supply order marks BorgWarner's first 48-V eXD application within its global offerings, expanding the company's capabilities in torque management for electric vehicles. As the EV market evolves, E/E...

ABB E-mobility and Esyasoft e-Mobility have announced a strategic partnership through a memorandum of understanding to enhance global electric vehicle charging deployments, focusing initially on the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, with plans for future expansion. Esyasoft will leverage its extensive experience in energy and utilities, providing project management, financing and operations support. It offers a comprehensive e-mobility portfolio that integrates EV charging managemen...