Silicon Investor - Drones, Autonomous Vehicles and Flying Cars

[sunabeach] finance.yahoo.com Joby Aviation completes first NYC test flight, sending electr...

sunabeach — 4/27/2026 9:24:45 PM

finance.yahoo.com

Joby Aviation completes first NYC test flight, sending electric air taxi from JFK to Manhattan

[Selectric II] Drone Warfare Has Come to the United States March 23, 2026 By: Glen VanHe...

Selectric II — 4/25/2026 7:19:24 PM

Drone Warfare Has Come to the United States

March 23, 2026
By: Glen VanHerck, and Ramon Marks

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An apparent drone swarm near a US Air Force base unveiled numerous vulnerabilities in homeland air defense. Amid the raging conflict in the Middle East, the astonishing events at Barksdale Air Force Base earlier this month have attracted only limited media attention. It is reported that swarms of unidentified drones repeatedly loitered over Barksdale between March 9 and 15, drawing no publicly known effective response from the military or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Barksdale is the headquarters of the Air Force’s Global Strike Command, which is responsible for the nation’s nuclear intercontinental ballistic missiles and strategic bomber forces, including B2, B1, and B52 aircraft. The base is home to the 2nd Bomb Wing B52s and is the central hub of communications and logistical support for coordinating and directing those forces. The fact that potentially threatening drones were able to operate over such a critical complex with apparent impunity over several days, after a similar event, spanning 17 days, occurred more than two years ago at Langley AFB, is astonishing. Reports indicate that Barksdale personnel were repeatedly ordered to take cover as drones roamed over buildings and aircraft.

That there was no reported effective response to that incursion comes as no surprise to those who have been calling for an overhaul of how the US homeland is protected. The truth is that homeland defense today remains largely centered on deterring nuclear threats, such as ballistic missiles and bombers, flying over northern polar regions, launching ordinance into North America. Decades ago, the North American Aerospace Defense Command ( NORAD) and the United States Northern Command (NORTHCOM) were organized primarily to deter a strategic attack utilizing weapons of mass destruction. Protected by the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the homeland was widely regarded as invulnerable to non-strategic threats.

Beginning first with 9/11, and now with the advent of unmanned aerial systems (UAS)—including military-style drones, and such long-range precision weapons as cruise, ballistic, and hypersonic missiles launched from space, air, land, sea, and subsea—that comfortable “safe haven” assumption no longer holds. What happened at Barksdale is not an anomaly but a forerunner of a new era in warfare. Defense of the homeland has become, and will continue to be, a far more complex challenge.

At Barksdale, as at Langley AFB, the government apparently lacked effective technology to identify and counter the drones. Even if counter-UAS capabilities (C-UAS) were available, a decision to use them was likely complicated by concern over potential collateral injury to military personnel and civilians, and property damage. Some reports indicate that Barksdale attempted to employ C-UAS jamming, but without success. The inability to jam could indicate that Barksdale was facing a threat with autonomous or effective anti-jamming capabilities. If accurate, this would suggest that a sophisticated foreign actor was behind the incursion rather than a drone hobbyist.

Further complicating the picture is that Washington has not clarified responsibility and authority over UAS policy on dealing with and countering drones. For a national-level response to a strategic attack, NORAD and NORTHCOM have elaborate, well-known, detailed decision-making protocols for the National Command Authority. The decision-making chain is clearly established, reaching all the way to the president. It is designed to operate within minutes. The decision-making process today for responding to a UAS threat or another kind of conventional attack is murkier and nowhere near as settled, often involving several cabinet departments. The military is not even necessarily responsible for taking the lead.

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For example, in February of this year, US Customs and Border Protection used a Department of Defense-provided high-energy laser to engage what they believed were hostile drug cartel drones operating near Fort Bliss, close to the Mexican border. That led to controversy. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), part of the Department of Transportation, decided that the use of a laser made it necessary to issue an emergency order shutting down air traffic over El Paso below 18,000 feet for 10 days, citing unexplained“ special security reasons,” and declaring the area to be a national defense airspace.

The agency warned that aircraft entering the restricted space could be shot down. After a few hours, the White House, which had not been consulted, intervened and rescinded the no-fly order. Washington said that the threat turned out to be party balloons, not hostile drones. News reports said that there had been wrangling between the FAA, the Pentagon, and Homeland Security over the appropriate use of a laser in an area with heavy commercial air traffic.

The El Paso experience highlights important governance issues regarding how emerging threats, such as drones and UAS, should be managed. In addition to the Pentagon, the Department of Transportation, DHS, and the FBI also play a role in such situations, as do other intelligence agencies.

As the United States comes to grips with the reality that the homeland is not immune to potential military-style drone, missile, cyber, and other non-nuclear threats, it must re-evaluate comprehensively its approach to deal with such situations on a real-time basis. Kinetic and non-kinetic tools must be swiftly introduced at strategic, critical military and civilian infrastructure locations. The decision-making apparatus necessary to identify and to respond to such threats must also be modernized and streamlined.

The bottom line is that the United States must move forward aggressively to address these new UAS threats and others emerging in the homeland. Legacy approaches defined by stove-piped responsibilities and authorities no longer work. That antiquated framework must be promptly replaced by a collaborative, integrated architectural network that enables fused domain awareness and real-time collaboration among key decision-makers. Joint Interagency Task Force 401 is a solid first step in this direction, helping propel such a reorganization. It calls for full support from all agency stakeholders. That task force should be urgently empowered at the White House level to address policy and capability gaps swiftly.

About the Authors: Glen VanHerck and Ramon Marks General Glen VanHerck is a retired US Air Force general. At the time of his retirement, he served as commander of NORTHCOM and NORAD. He previously served as director of the Joint Staff. He currently serves as a board director and advisor across multiple industry sectors, including serving as a senior fellow at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab.

Ramon Marks, a retired international lawyer and a regular contributor to The National Interest, is vice chairman of Business Executives for National Security (BENS). The views expressed by the authors here are strictly their own.

nationalinterest.org

[sunabeach] And the CIA no doubt is providing free needlepoint lessons in Beijing.

sunabeach — 4/15/2026 4:52:49 PM

[Sam] Axios Mobility's new Big Three: Tesla, Waymo and Uber Joann Muller 2 hours ago...

Sam — 4/15/2026 7:35:18 AM

Axios

Mobility's new Big Three: Tesla, Waymo and Uber
Joann Muller
2 hours ago

As the race toward autonomy unfolds, a new U.S. "Big Three" in mobility is emerging: Instead of GM, Ford and Chrysler, it's Waymo, Tesla and Uber.

Why it matters: Automotive and tech giants, along with many well-funded startups, are vying for a slice of the self-driving future.

The big picture: Autonomous driving technology is no longer science fiction. It's here.

Robotaxis are operating in about a dozen cities — with tests underway in many more — and driverless semi trucks are hauling loads across Arizona and Texas.
But safely deploying AV technology is only the start — the next phase of the AV race is about who can operate networks at scale.

This will require building the infrastructure and large-scale operations needed to support a viable robotaxi service.

That means depots for charging, cleaning and vehicle maintenance, plus route optimization technology to deploy vehicles efficiently to meet fluctuating demand.

Between the lines: Waymo, Tesla and Uber already have distinct advantages in these areas that will make it hard for others to catch up.

Each has bet their stakes on an autonomous future, although with different paths to get there.
And while none of them possess all the pieces needed for a successful AV business, each has a solid foundation and the resources to do so better and faster than others.

Waymo

Waymo is the clear robotaxi leader, with operations in 11 cities and 500,000 paid trips per week. It's already racked up 200 million fully driverless miles in the real world.

It has $16 billion in fresh capital, much of it from parent Alphabet, to keep spreading across America, as well as to London and Tokyo.
"Waymo is probably less than a year from becoming a verb," says Grayson Brulte, founder of The Road to Autonomy.

Yes, but: The company's a tech supplier, not an operator — its product is the Waymo driver, the hardware and software suite added to vehicles so they can drive themselves.

Nor does it build cars. Instead, it buys them from other manufacturers.
And while it has experience running depots in San Francisco, it mostly relies on fleet management partners for cleaning and maintenance.

Uber

Uber — definitely a verb — has a superpower that standalone AV companies don't: a sophisticated tech platform that's been efficiently matching riders and vehicles for 15 years.

Rather than a threat to its ride-share business, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi sees robotaxis as an opportunity to capitalize on that experience.
On the infrastructure side, it's spending $100 million to develop new AV charging hubs in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Dallas.

Its challenge, though, is that it needs carmakers and tech companies to supply the robotaxis, and other operators to clean and charge them.

Uber is partnering with every AV developer under the sun — even investing in a few of them — to ensure there's a healthy mix of players besides Waymo.

Most of those AV tech companies are still a couple years behind Waymo though.

Tesla

Tesla's advantage is the data collected by nearly 3.2 million Tesla vehicles driving around the U.S. every day, including 1.1 million subscribers to its FSD (Supervised) hands-free driver assistance package.

That enables the company to continually improve its autonomous technology.
The company's vast Supercharger network and low manufacturing costs will also be big advantages as it scales a robotaxi service.

But for all the hype about FSD (which stands for full self-driving), the technology still requires human supervision — and Tesla has not yet deployed a meaningful fleet of robotaxis.

It launched a modest ride-hail service (with in-car safety monitors) last summer in Austin, Texas, and only recently unleashed a handful of fully driverless cars.
Nor has Tesla sought regulatory approval for its much ballyhooed Cybercab, a two-seater with no steering wheel or pedals.

What we're watching: Tesla FSD differs from self-driving tech used by Waymo and others because it doesn't use lidar or radar sensors to complement the car's built-in cameras.

While some Tesla critics are skeptical that its technology will ever work, most investors are bullish that Elon Musk's company is on the cusp of full autonomy.
If Tesla manages to get over the current hump on FSD, it could be game over.

Zoom out: Traditional automakers that have dominated the mobility landscape for decades are focused on closer targets: selling more cars and trucks to today's buyers while gradually adding automated-driving features.

The bottom line: The U.S. race to autonomy has only just begun, but its new Big Three are well out in front.

axios.com

[Selectric II] If only that were the case... Chinese Companies Keep Buying U.S. Land Near Mil...

Selectric II — 4/12/2026 12:54:58 PM

If only that were the case...

Chinese Companies Keep Buying U.S. Land Near Military Bases
National security experts warn that some of those purchases are too close for comfort.
By Robbie Gramer, a staff writer at Foreign Policy from 2016-2024, and Jack Detsch, a staff writer at Foreign Policy from 2020-2024.
foreignpolicy.com

Chinese land purchases near U.S. military bases raise security concerns
Chinese entities are buying U.S. farmland and operating crypto mines near military bases, raising national security concerns over potential spying, sabotage, and future military threats.
news9.com

China’s ability to buy US land near military bases just got more restricted
By Sarah Bauerle Danzman
atlanticcouncil.org

What are China’s alleged ‘secret overseas police stations’?
apnews.com

Man admits running secret Chinese 'police station' in NYC
bbc.com

[sunabeach] thedailyupside.com Alphabet’s Drone Delivery Biz Spreads Its Wings

sunabeach — 4/12/2026 11:40:37 AM

[sunabeach] [graphic]

sunabeach — 4/12/2026 11:39:24 AM

[Selectric II] Between that and U.S. adversaries acquiring land adjacent to U.S. military bases...

Selectric II — 4/1/2026 7:00:52 AM

Between that and U.S. adversaries acquiring land adjacent to U.S. military bases, in this age of drones they essentially can, and might already have their own military bases on our homeland, and within easy range of ours.

China already has its own police stations within our borders, with minimal pushback, so why not military bases, too? Why not set up a shadow government, too? Look at the “No Kings” coalition foreign influence.

The invasion is underway without a single shot fired.

[Savant] SII....hmm, rather like hi altitude balloon overflight....collecting who knows w...

Savant — 3/31/2026 11:25:38 PM

SII....hmm, rather like hi altitude balloon overflight....collecting who knows what...

and a certain president allowed it

[Selectric II] Analysts warn such incidents allow adversaries to map defenses, collect intellig...

Selectric II — 3/31/2026 9:35:56 PM

Analysts warn such incidents allow adversaries to map defenses, collect intelligence, and pressure security forces without crossing into overt attack

Seems pretty overt attack-like to me.

[Savant] Drone swarm breaches nuclear bomber base Between March 9 and 15, 2026, waves of ...

Savant — 3/28/2026 1:19:08 PM

Drone swarm breaches nuclear bomber base Between March 9 and 15, 2026, waves of 12–15 sophisticated drones repeatedly penetrated restricted airspace over Barksdale Air Force Base, a key U.S. nuclear bomber hub. The incursions forced runway shutdowns and triggered heightened security alerts, with the drones showing resistance to jamming and advanced control links. Officials warn the episode exposes critical gaps in defending low-altitude airspace despite ongoing investments in high-end missile defenses.

Sophisticated drones challenge base defenses

Internal briefings revealed the drones over Barksdale Air Force Base displayed non-commercial signal characteristics, long-range control links, and resistance to jamming, operating in coordinated waves over sensitive areas like the flight line. These capabilities suggest advanced engineering and deliberate tactics, including testing security responses and avoiding operator detection. Officials say such systems go beyond off-the-shelf drones, raising the possibility of state-backed involvement.

Operational disruption and security implications

The incursions forced temporary runway closures and disrupted aircraft operations, underscoring how small unmanned systems can create outsized effects against critical infrastructure. Analysts warn such incidents allow adversaries to map defenses, collect intelligence, and pressure security forces without crossing into overt attack. The episode is part of a broader pattern of drone overflights targeting U.S. military installations in recent years

Drone swarm breaches nuclear bomber base

[sunabeach] 26 States to Begin Electric Aircraft Trials This Summer Three-year trials of el...

sunabeach — 3/11/2026 8:41:20 AM

26 States to Begin Electric Aircraft Trials This Summer

Three-year trials of electric air taxis, autonomous aircraft, and other aviation technologies will be conducted.

flyingmag.com

[kidl] Coming soon Uber A new era of transportation is coming to the ski...

kidl — 2/26/2026 9:11:11 AM

Coming soon

Uber

A new era of transportation is coming to the skies as the eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing) industry finally becomes a reality. Uber ( UBER) and Joby Aviation ( JOBY) have confirmed their all-electric air taxi service will begin ferrying its first passengers later this year in Dubai. It marks a major milestone in their partnership that seeks to bring multi-modal transportation to cities around the world, and creates a "Jetsons" reality that was only a dream until now.

What will the future look like? An electric air taxi can be booked by simply opening the Uber ( UBER) app and entering their destination in the "Where to?" bar. If a trip qualifies, Uber Air powered by Joby will appear as an option. With a single tap, the app seamlessly connects and books every leg of the journey, including Uber Black pickup and drop-off.

Joby's all-electric air taxi is being designed for up to four passengers, with comfortable seating, featuring large windows with panoramic views of the city below from every seat. Flown by a certified commercial pilot, the aircraft uses six tilting propellers to take off vertically before transitioning into forward flight. It can travel at speeds of up to 200 mph and has a range of up to 100 miles on a single charge.

Coming to America? The companies also commented on the path to U.S. flights in their press release. "Before launching commercial operations in the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration requires extensive testing and certification. Joby has already completed more than 50,000 miles of flight tests across its fleet and has begun the final stage of this certification process, reflecting its safety-focused approach and steady progress toward carrying passengers." ( 3 comments)

[sunabeach] yahoo.com 7000 Buyers Will Soon Avoid Traffic by Pulling a Personal Aircraf...

sunabeach — 2/22/2026 5:14:15 PM

yahoo.com

7000 Buyers Will Soon Avoid Traffic by Pulling a Personal Aircraft out of Their Xpeng EV Van

Brendan McAleer

Sun, February 22, 2026 at 2:00 PM EST
3 min read

.............

[sunabeach] Almost everything I post about that crime family has a tinge or is dripping with...

sunabeach — 1/24/2026 3:24:18 PM

Almost everything I post about that crime family has a tinge or is dripping with sarcasm.

If the shoes fits ..........

[kidl] You should not be shocked. There is little Trump does without reaping a persona...

kidl — 1/24/2026 3:21:55 PM

You should not be shocked. There is little Trump does without reaping a personal benefit.

According to Perplexity:

President Trump's net worth has seen substantial growth since his inauguration in January 2025, primarily fueled by cryptocurrency investments and related ventures. Forbes estimates it more than doubled in 2025, reaching around $6.6 billion by early January 2026.

Key Drivers

Crypto holdings emerged as the biggest factor, with Bloomberg noting the Trump family's wealth expansion into digital assets, generating at least $1.4 billion in his second term through policies like crypto-friendly legislation. Trump Media (DJT) shares, however, dropped sharply by 67% through 2025, underperforming broader markets like the Nasdaq (up 18%).

Family Gains

Donald Trump Jr.'s net worth reportedly increased sixfold in 2025, tied to crypto and the $2 billion raised by 1789 Capital. Overall billionaire wealth, including Trump allies, rose 22% to $8.2 trillion in 2025 amid tax breaks for the top 1%.

[sunabeach] I was shocked, shocked I tell ya, to read that DonnieBoy Jr has an interest in a...

sunabeach — 1/24/2026 3:09:42 PM

I was shocked, shocked I tell ya, to read that DonnieBoy Jr has an interest in an America Drone company that stands to benefit immensely from this.

[Sam] x.com brief excerpt: Nvidia just open-sourced Alpha Mayo. The world's first ...

Sam — 1/8/2026 9:41:20 PM

x.com

brief excerpt:

Nvidia just open-sourced Alpha Mayo.

The world's first reasoning autonomous vehicle AI.

Mercedes-Benz CLA launches with it in Q1.

Europe Q2.

Asia by year-end.

Not a concept car.

Not a limited release.

Full production vehicles.

And the AI will even explain its reasoning out loud.

"I'm slowing down because the truck ahead is braking and there's a cyclist merging."

It thinks.

Then tells you what it's thinking.

Then executes.

Jensen drove it through San Francisco for an hour yesterday.

No hands.

No interventions.

Through heavy Sunday traffic.

The whole thing is open source now.

Every line of training code.

Every data source.

The entire stack.

[kidl] U.S. drone market faces shake-up after FCC ruling, Needham says Dec. 23, 2025 1...

kidl — 12/24/2025 11:21:19 AM

U.S. drone market faces shake-up after FCC ruling, Needham says

Dec. 23, 2025 11:37 AM ET

Ondas Holdings Inc. (ONDS) Stock, AVAV Stock, RCAT Stock, UMAC Stock, DPRO Stock
By: Rob Williams, SA News Editor
A new U.S. regulatory action restricting foreign-made drones and their components could reshape the domestic unmanned aircraft market and accelerate procurement activity beginning next year, according to a report from Needham & Co.

The Federal Communications Commission this week added foreign-produced uncrewed aircraft systems, along with critical foreign-sourced drone components, to its Covered List following a national security determination. The designation prevents affected drones and components from receiving FCC authorization, effectively barring their importation, sale and lawful operation in the United States unless a specific exemption is granted by the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security.

Needham analysts led by Austin Bohlig said in a Dec. 23 report that the inclusion of drone components represents a broader restriction than expected and significantly expands the scope of the ban beyond complete drone platforms. The FCC said affected components include communications equipment, flight controllers, navigation systems, batteries and motors. Previously approved or legacy systems may continue operating for now, but new products will be subject to the restrictions.

The ruling is expected to limit future participation in the U.S. market by foreign drone manufacturers, including large Chinese suppliers that have historically dominated commercial and consumer drone sales. Over time, the report said, the policy could redirect demand toward U.S.-based drone and component manufacturers as new domestic sourcing requirements take effect.

Drone Dominance program
Needham views the FCC action as part of a broader policy and funding shift supporting U.S. unmanned systems. The firm pointed to the Drone Dominance initiative, which allocates more than $1 billion toward small drone programs, as well as the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes additional funding for unmanned systems. In total, the firm estimates that recent legislation and budget measures add more than $5 billion in incremental unmanned-related programs.

Together, these developments could lead to increased procurement activity beginning in 2026, particularly for defense-grade and attritable drone platforms. Needham said the combination of regulatory restrictions and funding support may also affect commercial and consumer drone markets as domestically sourced components become a requirement for new systems.

The report noted that while the policy shift creates opportunities for U.S.-based drone and component suppliers, implementation will take time as existing foreign-made systems gradually exit the market. Risks remain tied to defense procurement timing, regulatory execution and supply-chain scaling as domestic manufacturers work to meet potential increases in demand.

Needham maintains coverage on several U.S.-focused drone and defense technology companies, which it said could benefit from the evolving regulatory environment if funding flows and contract activity accelerate as expected next year.

[sunabeach] youtu.be Elysian Aircraft - Electric Aircraft Propulsion | Dassault Systèmes ...

sunabeach — 11/26/2025 4:09:44 PM

youtu.be

Elysian Aircraft - Electric Aircraft Propulsion | Dassault Systèmes

[Ron] Flying cars are here: wsj.com

Ron — 10/19/2025 5:10:38 PM

[Savant] Drone Reveals 'The Da Vinci Code' Movie Locations Uncover the secrets of 'The D...

Savant — 10/14/2025 4:52:26 PM

Drone Reveals 'The Da Vinci Code' Movie Locations

Uncover the secrets of 'The Da Vinci Code' with this breathtaking drone tour of its filming locations. Soar above the grand castles and cathedrals of the UK, including Belvoir Castle and Lincoln Cathedral, before continuing to the elegant Château de Villette and the mysterious Church of Saint-Sulpice in France. This footage offers a unique perspective on the real-world places that brought this thrilling mystery to life.

Moment of Zen Videos | Watch

[sunabeach] Everyone Said Toyota Was Late To EVs, Now It’s About To Lead Them

sunabeach — 10/10/2025 3:06:55 PM

[Sam] Korean fury over Tesla battery error builds as gov't mulls subsidy review ...

Sam — 10/8/2025 6:04:59 AM

Korean fury over Tesla battery error builds as gov't mulls subsidy review
Published: 07 Oct. 2025, 10:14
SARAH CHEA

The Korean government is weighing a subsidy cut for Tesla over unresolved battery errors that have rendered some three-year-old models unchargeable, escalating scrutiny of the EV giant’s commitment to consumer protection.

This comes as Tesla owners in Korea grow increasingly furious — first over the battery errors, and again over what they describe as the EV firm's “irresponsible” response.

Owners have begun rallying online, demanding recalls or free battery replacements, and have even filed a petition with the National Assembly, garnering over 14,000 signatures, which has prompted Korea’s transport and environment ministries to monitor the issue.

Related Article

“We cannot continue offering subsidies to vehicles that disadvantage consumers; We will even consider pulling subsidies depending on Tesla’s countermeasures,” an official who heads the EV subsidy program at the Environment Ministry told the Korea JoongAng Daily.

“We’ve asked Tesla Korea to provide a detailed explanation, but have failed to receive a response so far.”

Tesla sold 29,750 units in Korea last year, making it the third-largest imported car brand, behind BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Notably, in the first half of this year, the Model Y was named the country’s top-selling EV, with 15,432 units sold, even beating the EV6 and Ioniq 5 from homegrown brands Kia and Hyundai Motor.

What’s the matter?

Tesla owners in Korea — mostly those driving Model 3 and Model Y Long Range variants produced in 2020 and 2021 — are increasingly vocal about a recurring issue: the BMS_a079 error, which limits the battery’s maximum charge level to some 50 percent.

This error, accompanied by the message “Unable to charge — maximum charge level reached,” occurs when Tesla’s Battery Management System (BMS) detects a fault within the high-voltage battery. To prevent battery overload and reduce the risk of fire, the system restricts the maximum charge to 50 percent.

continues at koreajoongangdaily.joins.com

[Julius Wong] Bulls Target Aviation Stock on Tesla Partnership Rumors elite.finviz.com

Julius Wong — 10/6/2025 5:17:14 PM

[Savant] America’s Secret Drone That Could Change Warfare Forever Designed to fly at Mac...

Savant — 9/29/2025 11:24:26 PM

America’s Secret Drone That Could Change Warfare Forever

Designed to fly at Mach 6 and beyond, the SR-72 is Lockheed Martin’s next-generation unmanned spy plane—and potential strike weapon - aimed at outpacing enemy defenses with blistering speed. Building on the SR-71 legacy, this advanced UAV integrates scramjet propulsion, stealthy materials, and hypersonic weapons, enabling it to gather intel or strike targets within minutes of takeoff. Officially still in development, experts suggest the “Son of Blackbird” may already be secretly flying today.

msn.com

[Sam] Lyft stock soars 20% on Waymo Nashville robotaxi deal Published Wed, Sep 17 2025...

Sam — 9/17/2025 9:39:16 AM

Lyft stock soars 20% on Waymo Nashville robotaxi deal
Published Wed, Sep 17 20259:00 AM EDT Updated 22 Min Ago

Key Points

Alphabet’s Waymo said it plans to launch its robotaxi service next year in Nashville, partnering with Lyft for the first time in a commercial deal.
Riders in Nashville will be able to hail a Waymo vehicle either through the Waymo One or Lyft app.
Waymo is far ahead of the competition in the U.S., having logged over 10 million paid trips.

Waymo has partnered with Uber to get its robotaxis into Atlanta and Austin, Texas. Now it’s teaming up with Lyft for the first time in a commercial deal to enter Nashville next year.

Lyft stock rocketed 20% higher on the news.

Riders in Nashville will be able to hail a Waymo robotaxi through the Waymo One app, and Lyft will add Waymo robotaxis to its platform over time, the companies said in a joint statement on Wednesday.

Lyft “will provide end-to-end fleet management services including vehicle readiness and maintenance, infrastructure, and depot operations in Nashville,” for the Waymo fleet, the companies said.

Waymo, which is owned by Alphabet

, has taken a big lead in the U.S. robotaxi market, launching in Phoenix, San Francisco and Los Angeles, as well as Austin and Atlanta. It surpassed 10 million paid trips in May, and has plans to start commercial operations next year in Miami, Washington, D.C., Dallas, Denver, and now Nashville.

cnbc.com

[Savant] Russia is testing unjammable fiber-optic drone boats as it turns Ukrainian war t...

Savant — 9/12/2025 11:27:29 PM

Russia is testing unjammable fiber-optic drone boats as it turns Ukrainian war tech against it

Russia is testing unjammable fiber-optic drone boats as it turns Ukrainian war tech against it

[JubilationT] Joby, 1st min. Flew 50,000 passengers youtube.com

JubilationT — 9/11/2025 2:46:55 PM

[Savant] Cardboard drones>>> Ukraine’s Cardboard Drones: The $1,000 Weapon Changing Mo...

Savant — 9/5/2025 7:59:08 PM

Cardboard drones>>>

Ukraine’s Cardboard Drones: The $1,000 Weapon Changing Modern Warfare

In a world dominated by expensive, high-tech military systems, Ukraine is deploying innovative drones made out of cardboard. The Corvo Precision Payload Delivery System from Australia is cheap, easy to assemble, and capable of carrying ammunition, medical supplies, and even explosives. With a range of 75 miles, these “paper planes” prove that low-cost and simple technology can be deadly on the battlefield against Russia

msn.com

[Sam] Uber Posts On X "The future is coming your way, Dallas! Together with our partne...

Sam — 9/4/2025 10:49:37 AM

Uber Posts On X "The future is coming your way, Dallas! Together with our partners at @Avrideai, we're ramping up testing of autonomous vehicles across Dallas and unveiling the co-branded Uber x Avride vehicle that will soon be driving riders into the future."

Read more: t.co

BENZINGA 10:43 AM ET 9/4/2025
https://x.com/uber/status/1963612245205684588?s=46&t=dtUiyC3dUs5yGRgT9qYHWg

[Julius Wong] The first all-electric flying car is here — and it could land at an airport near...

Julius Wong — 8/28/2025 7:21:37 PM

The first all-electric flying car is here — and it could land at an airport near you

electrek.co

[sunabeach] Shares of Joby Aviation (NYSE:JOBY) raced higher in Friday’s premarket trading a...

sunabeach — 8/15/2025 8:45:32 AM

Shares of Joby Aviation (NYSE: JOBY) raced higher in Friday’s premarket trading after the company announced it had successfully completed a test flight between two airports within FAA-controlled airspace.

This achievement is considered a major advance to the company’s commercial marketreadiness and its efforts to gain FAA certification as a passenger air taxi.

The aircraft flew between airports at Marina and Monterey, California for a total flight time of 12 minutes over 10 nautical miles, including 5 minutes in a holding pattern above Monterey airport as it interacted with other
aircraft. This marks the first time a piloted electric vertical takeoff and landing ((eVTOL)) air taxi has flown from one public airport to another and also demonstrated Joby’s (NYSE: JOBY) ability to conduct multiple test flights and deliver full ground support remotely.

The successful test flight between the two airports adds to Joby Aviation’s (NYSE: JOBY) recent achievements, including a successful test flight in Dubai, partnership with L3Harris to develop military applications for VTOL aircraft, Blade Air Mobility acquisition,
and planned expansion of its California facility to double production. As a result, Joby ( JOBY) shares have gained 250% from last year and 121% in the last 6 months alone versus a 6% gain in the S&P 500.

Shares are up 10%ahead of Friday’s open.

(Link not available)

[Savant] The sea drone could also be equipped with rescue equipment....for rapid rescue a...

Savant — 8/13/2025 12:29:01 AM

The sea drone could also be equipped with rescue equipment....for rapid rescue attempts

[Julius Wong] The U.S. Army’s Answer to Drone Swarms: ‘Fry’ Them With Lasers nationalsecurity...

Julius Wong — 8/10/2025 10:39:22 AM

The U.S. Army’s Answer to Drone Swarms: ‘Fry’ Them With Lasers

nationalsecurityjournal.org

[sunabeach] My sister's friend is the sister of the presiding Judge (also a woman) in this c...

sunabeach — 8/8/2025 11:34:11 AM

My sister's friend is the sister of the presiding Judge (also a woman) in this case.

But that is the extent I can add anything to this story.

[Savant] Multiple Military drones How US Navy Launches Massive Billion $ Drone from Aircr...

Savant — 8/7/2025 7:49:23 AM

Multiple Military drones
How US Navy Launches Massive Billion $ Drone from Aircraft Carrier in the Ocean

Welcome back to the Fluctus Channel the development that the US military has had with its unmanned aircraft. Fluctus is a website and YouTube channel dedicated to sea geeks

How US Navy Launches Massive Billion $ Drone from Aircraft Carrier in the Ocean | Watch

[Savant] World’s first sea-skimming drone can stealthily destroy target at 124 mph top sp...

Savant — 8/6/2025 8:56:03 PM

World’s first sea-skimming drone can stealthily destroy target at 124 mph top speed

An Ankara-based company has unveiled a sea-skimming drone that can operate in terrible conditions. Named TALAY, the autonomous drone can carry up to 66-lb of sensors or munitions.

The innovative system flies at 9.8 ft above the sea, operating stealthily beneath typical radar horizons.

Dubbed as the world’s first sea-skimming multipurpose drone, the unmanned aerial system can reach speeds up to 124 mph.

Drone can carry out strike missionsSolid Aero’s drone offers an endurance of approximately three hours and can operate even in sea state three conditions. The advanced system can carry out patrol, reconnaissance, strike or cargo missions as requirements evolve.

TALAY, the world’s first multifunctional drone capable of operating as an ekranoplan, is capable of operating autonomously or with an operator.

Ekranoplan is a type of ground effect vehicle (GEV) that flies just above the surface of the water, utilizing the aerodynamic phenomenon known as the “ground effect” to generate lift

World’s first sea-skimming drone can stealthily destroy target at 124 mph top speed

[kidl] I am not 100% certain but I don't think that there is another autonomous driving...

kidl — 8/6/2025 3:52:26 PM

I am not 100% certain but I don't think that there is another autonomous driving company that uses cameras only.

I don't know of another camera only system.

[Sam] This paragraph in the earlier article on the verdict is important: The National...

Sam — 8/6/2025 3:26:57 PM

This paragraph in the earlier article on the verdict is important:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, meanwhile, has been investigating several aspects of Tesla's automated-driving technology, including four crashes in which the camera-based system was blinded by dust or bright sunshine.

axios.com

Musk has repeated many times that cameras alone can lead to safe autonomous driving. He doesn't want to use lidar, complaining that it is too expensive and unnecessary. Most companies don't believe that. I am not 100% certain but I don't think that there is another autonomous driving company that uses cameras only.

[kidl] Tesla Autopilot verdict sends a chill across the industry

kidl — 8/6/2025 2:25:11 PM

[sunabeach] Joby Aviation reportedly exploring acquisition of Blade Air Mobility Aug. 02, 20...

sunabeach — 8/3/2025 9:10:53 AM

Joby Aviation reportedly exploring acquisition of Blade Air Mobility
Aug. 02, 2025 3:45 PM ET Joby Aviation, Inc. (JOBY) Stock, BLDE

Electric air taxi developer Joby Aviation (NYSE: JOBY) is weighing an acquisition of helicopter trip provider Blade Air Mobility (NASDAQ: BLDE), Bloomberg News reported on Saturday, citing people familiar with the matter.

No final decision has been made, and Joby (NYSE: JOBY) could opt out of pursuing such a deal, the people said. Neither JOBY nor Blade Air (NASDAQ: BLDE) immediately responded to Seeking Alpha's requests for comment.

New York City-based Blade ( BLDE) offers commercial helicopter and seaplane trip services. It also provides air transportation and logistics for hospitals and is one of the largest movers of human organs for transplant. BLDE went public in May 2021 through a special purpose acquisition company and hasn't reported an annual profit since it listed. It has a market cap of $306.2M.

For Joby ( JOBY), a potential deal for Blade ( BLDE) would give it access to an already existing market that is tailor-made for its air taxis. JOBY is widely seen as one of the foremost and most recognizable names in the electric vertical takeoff and landing industry. Joby ( JOBY) has a market cap of $13.59B.

[sunabeach] (THEDAILYUPSIDE) “We wanted flying cars; instead, we got 140 characters,” v...

sunabeach — 7/28/2025 8:30:37 AM

(THEDAILYUPSIDE)

“We wanted flying cars; instead, we got 140 characters,” venture capitalist Peter Thiel, himself an early Facebook investor and thus key financier of the first social media age, quipped in 2013.

Since his remark, the character limit for posts on Twitter — rechristened X under Thiel’s fellow PayPal mafia barone Elon Musk — has climbed to 280 (or 25,000 for paid subscribers). As for cars, they’re still not flying. A US-based startup, backed by Japan’s Toyota, and a freshly capitalized initiative in China could change that as soon as next year.

Shares to the Sky“Flying car” is a colloquial term best associated with futures imagined by sci-fi filmmakers. But outside the dystopian cityscapes of Blade Runner or The Fifth Element, here on Earth, they go by a much wonkier industry term: electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) craft.

There’s also no futuristic hovering technology — current eVTOLs in development by Santa Cruz-based, Toyota-backed Joby Aviation and Chinese carmaker XPeng get off the ground with old-fashioned propeller and rotor technology. In both cases, that has been more than enough to send their shares into liftoff:

Joby, which already has a small fleet of air taxis conducting test runs, last week announced plans to expand its California facility to build 24 of its eVTOL craft per year. It also plans to pursue commercialization by seeking certification from the Federal Aviation Administration and expand production to an Ohio facility where it hopes to mass-produce as many as 500 crafts every year. Propping up the effort is 22% shareholder Toyota, which has invested roughly $900 million in the publicly traded startup (shares are up 122% this year).
And then there’s Xpeng Aeroht, Xpeng’s flying car division, which earlier this month said it secured $250 million in Series B funding to expedite the mass production of its Land Aircraft Carrier, a Cybertruck-resembling all-terrain vehicle with a detachable, helicopter-like air module. Xpeng Aeroht is planning mass production of the vehicle, commencing next year in Guangzhou, with a roughly $280,000 price tag and a facility with a projected annual capacity of 10,000 units. Its parent company’s shares are up 59% this year.

Toyota, meanwhile, has expanded its exposure to the segment as another startup with its backing, Japan-based SkyDrive, obtained initial certification for an eVTOL earlier this year, which could eventually lead to commercialization. The barriers to adoption vary, depending on the market. For example, Xpeng Aeroht produces a smaller eVTOL, the X2, which is technically for sale in Australia, but regulatory uncertainty means using one legally may be at least a year away (and require a pilot’s license).

Dubai’s the Limit: Joby had initially targeted offering commercial passenger services in Dubai, where Xpeng Aeroht tested an eVTOL back in 2022, by the end of this year. That timeline has been bumped to early 2026, seven years after Blade Runner but well ahead of The Fifth Element’s setting in the 23rd century.

Written by Sean Craig

[Savant] Waymo...does it stand for Way Mo' Monay??

Savant — 7/1/2025 1:34:30 PM

[Savant] Can ChatGPT fly a plane? Let's test! | Turboprop Flight Simulator Can ChatGPT f...

Savant — 7/1/2025 11:48:35 AM

Can ChatGPT fly a plane? Let's test! | Turboprop Flight Simulator

Can ChatGPT fly a plane? Let's test! | Turboprop Flight Simulator

[Julius Wong] Joby Stock Soars as Piloted Flights in Dubai Signal a New Era elite.finviz.com

Julius Wong — 7/1/2025 8:03:07 AM

[Savant] Tesla's first fully autonomous car drove itself to its new Texas owner, doing 72...

Savant — 6/29/2025 11:09:02 AM

Tesla's first fully autonomous car drove itself to its new Texas owner, doing 72 mph on the highway, an engineer says

[Sam] Tesla Again Has The Highest Accident Rate Of Any Auto Brand By Steve Banker, Con...

Sam — 6/28/2025 10:05:50 PM

Tesla Again Has The Highest Accident Rate Of Any Auto Brand
By Steve Banker, Contributor.
I cover logistics and supply chain management.

Feb 11, 2025, 09:40am EST

Tesla’s cars are once again involved in the most accidents according to a study by LendingTree insurance. It found that Tesla drivers are involved in more accidents than drivers of any other brand. Some of these accidents involved Tesla’s self-driving system. Nationally, Tesla drivers had 26.67 accidents per 1,000 drivers. This was up from 23.54 last year.

The Ram and Subaru brands were again among the most accident-prone. Ram had 23.15 per 1,000 drivers while Subaru had 22.89.

The study is based on QuoteWizard by LendingTree insurance inquiries from Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2024. They analyzed the 30 brands with the most inquiries in this period. This study categorizes drivers based on inquiries made for those brands.

Interestingly, the study attributes the problems to the drivers not the cars. While DUIs and speeding can clearly be attributed to driver behaviors, and these behaviors cause accidents, accidents can also be attributed to the performance of the cars themselves.

PROMOTED

Does the Tesla Self-Driving Feature Cause Accidents? Tesla Autopilot, an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), was released in 2015. The first fatal crashes involving Tesla’s autopilot occurred less than one year later. The fatal crashes attracted attention from United States government agencies, including the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA’s analysis concluded that the Tesla Autopilot death rate is higher than the reported estimates. In addition to fatal crashes, there have been many nonfatal ones. The incidents were caused by the ADAS failing to recognize other vehicles, insufficient Autopilot driver engagement, and it is argued, poor operational design.

As of October 2024, there have been hundreds of documented nonfatal incidents involving Autopilot and fifty-one reported fatalities, forty-four of which NHTSA investigations or expert testimony later verified and two that NHTSA’s Office of Defect Investigations verified as happening during the engagement of Full Self-Driving (FSD).

forbes.com

[longz] Waymo recalls 1,200 self-driving vehicles in US after minor collisions | Reuters

longz — 6/28/2025 6:59:31 PM

[Sam] Ford CEO Jim Farley says Waymo’s approach to self-driving makes more sense than ...

Sam — 6/28/2025 4:58:43 PM

Ford CEO Jim Farley says Waymo’s approach to self-driving makes more sense than Tesla’s
Jessica Mathews
Fri, June 27, 2025 at 8:34 PM EDT
3 min read

autos.yahoo.com