Transportation

A white and black vertical takeoff aircraft, marked "N302AX," flies against a clear blue sky with multiple propellers visible.

Flying cars are almost here — but who will actually fly them?

Air taxi services could launch soon, but only if regulators and developers can make operating eVTOLs appealing to prospective pilots.

Kristin Houser

A solar-powered car races along a highway surrounded by sparse vegetation under a clear blue sky.

Cars

Why aren’t there solar-powered cars?

There are a number of reasons why solar-powered cars aren’t an option for everyday travel, at least not yet.

Chen Liu

Black electric sedan in motion on a road with motion blur effect.

Transportation

Elon Musk: Tesla will unveil a “robotaxi” on 8/8

While denying reports that Tesla won’t be making a low-cost EV, CEO Elon Musk announced plans to unveil a “robotaxi” on August 8, 2024.

Kristin Houser

an all-white, two-door car on a colorful background

Cars

This $11,000 microcar ships flat like IKEA furniture

Swedish mobility startup Luvly has unveiled an ultra-efficient $11,000 microcar, Luvly O, for urban transportation.

Kristin Houser

a man holding a container labeled "Titan Silicon" and filled with a black powder

Transportation

New battery tech boosts EV range by 20%

A new silicon anode material for EV batteries can boost a vehicle’s range by 20% while cutting down on charging times.

Kristin Houser

massive airship flying above a forested valley

Aerospace

Massive hybrid-electric airships secure powerful megawatt generators

B. David Zarley

Aerospace

Xwing puts autonomous flight on the runway to approval

Autonomous flight startup Xwing has filed for approval to do crewless cargo flights, a first step towards pilotless commercial aviation.

B. David Zarley

Cars

We used to have steam-powered cars. What happened to them — and will they come back?

Steam cars went extinct because gas-powered cars became far more convenient. Will technology ever bring back the steam car?

Matt Benoit

a vehicle with several skyward-pointing propellers hovering a few feet above the ground

Transportation

United Airlines plans to bring flying cars to Chicago

United Airlines plans to use flying cars to ferry passengers between O’Hare International Airport and a location near downtown Chicago.

Kristin Houser

a vehicle on a beach with the sun behind it

General Motors is putting ChatGPT into its vehicles

General Motors is developing a new voice assistant that will give drivers access to the hugely popular ChatGPT while they're on the road.

Kristin Houser

aerial view of airport with plane taxiing

Transportation

New warning system will make airports safer

The FAA has installed a new warning system to prevent planes from landing on taxiways at 43 major airports.

B. David Zarley

Transportation

LA’s on-demand vans charge just $1 per ride

Los Angeles has launched Metro Micro, an on-demand public transportation service that charges just $1 per ride.

Kristin Houser

an image of a tesla from the front with its doors open

Transportation

Tesla switches to motors without rare earth elements

Tesla’s future powertrains won’t contain rare earth elements, which are mined primarily in China using environmentally destructive methods.

Kristin Houser

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