Alphabet’s self-driving car unit Waymo seems pretty confident. They’re so bullish that they’ve agreed to purchase up to 62,000 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans to add to their self-driving fleet. The company said earlier this year that it intended to purchase “thousands” of vans from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), but the latest announcement is an expansion… Continue reading Waymo Orders 62,000 Chrysler Vans Ahead of Self-Driving Taxi Service Launch
Month: May 2018
Consumer Reports Now Recommends Model 3 After Software Improved Braking
Consumer Reports now recommends the Tesla Model 3 after the automaker made improvements to the car’s brakes via an over-the-air update. Consumer Reports said the Model 3’s stopping distance in initial tests of 152 feet from 60 mph was far worse than any contemporary car they have tested. Responding to the criticism, Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted… Continue reading Consumer Reports Now Recommends Model 3 After Software Improved Braking
TMC Member Safe After Serious Crash in Model 3
TMC member antari and his family are safe after their Model 3 was involved in a high-speed collision on I-90 near Seattle. “I hear some vehicles approach at high speed from behind. Then suddenly I hear a screeching sound from a car breaking hard, and then a car slams into my rear end – hard,” antari… Continue reading TMC Member Safe After Serious Crash in Model 3
Tesla Announces New Executive Hires
Tesla has published a blog post announcing several new hires. The company has faced several high-profile departures in the past year and has said it plans a fairly extensive reorganization. New hires are happening across the organization, from engineering to sales, to government regulation and policy. Tesla’s full release announcing the new employees is below.… Continue reading Tesla Announces New Executive Hires
Video: Consumer Reports Talked to Musk, Will Test Model 3 Brakes Following Software Update
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Consumer Reports has posted a video elaborating on its decision to not recommend the Tesla Model 3. The magazine’s review mostly criticized the Model 3’s braking performance, which Tesla CEO Elon Musk says will be improved via a software update. In its initial report, Consumer Reports said: “The Tesla’s stopping distance of 152 feet from… Continue reading Video: Consumer Reports Talked to Musk, Will Test Model 3 Brakes Following Software Update
Musk Says Model Y Will Be Unveiled in March
If you consider the statements that Tesla’s chief executive makes on Twitter as official corporate communications, then mark your calendar for the debut of the company’s crossover SUV for March 15, 2019. Here’s how Elon Musk handled the announcement on Twitter. Tesla YouTuber Ben Sullins asked for a date for the Model Y unveiling. Musk… Continue reading Musk Says Model Y Will Be Unveiled in March
Tesla to Offer Turbine Wheels Seen on Model 3 Prototype
The Model 3 is getting new shoes. You may remember the wheels fitted on the Model 3 prototype unveiled in 2016, 13 spokes in a gunmetal finish that twist into the center hub. Many believe they were the best looking of the early designs, however they have been absent on the production version of the… Continue reading Tesla to Offer Turbine Wheels Seen on Model 3 Prototype
Tesla Hires Snap VP for Autopilot Team
Tesla has hired a Snap vice president of engineering to join its team working on Autopilot. Stuart Bowers will fill a VP of Engineering spot with a focus on Autopilot a few months after Jim Keller left his role as VP of Autopilot. Bowers was working on monetization at Snap, but previously worked as a software engineer… Continue reading Tesla Hires Snap VP for Autopilot Team
SpaceX Successful in 10th Falcon 9 Launch of the Year
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A SpaceX Falcon 9 carried seven satellites into orbit Tuesday. The mission, which took off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, was the company’s 10th of the year and 56th overall for the Falcon 9 rocket. The first stage of the rocket flown today for the Iridium-6/GRACE-FO mission previously flew the Zuma mission. SpaceX did… Continue reading SpaceX Successful in 10th Falcon 9 Launch of the Year
Musk Says Model 3 Brakes Need Work, Firmware Update Coming in a ‘Few Days’
Responding to Consumer Reports’ criticism of the Model 3’s braking ability, Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted Monday that the company will “make sure all Model 3’s having amazing braking ability at no expense to customers.” Consumer Reports said the Model 3’s stopping distance of 152 feet from 60 mph was far worse than any contemporary… Continue reading Musk Says Model 3 Brakes Need Work, Firmware Update Coming in a ‘Few Days’