Trimble, TDK partner to accelerate precision navigation
Trimble and InvenSense, a TDK group company, announced a collaboration to provide a navigation solution that integrates Trimble’s ProPoint Go engine and RTX correction service with TDK’s SmartAutomotive Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) from InvenSense. The combined offering is designed to support more accurate and consistent positioning and navigation in automotive and IoT applications. The Trimble ProPoint Go positioning engine provides position and orientation data using globally available Trimble correction services. It supports quad-frequency GNSS signals and incorporates ASIL-C certified correction data to assist with automated driving applications where safety is a key consideration. The system is also suited for improving accuracy in IoT use cases such as field robotics. TDK IMUs integrate a triaxal accelerometer and a triaxal gyroscope in a compact six-axis motion sensor to detect the linear acceleration and angular velocity of vehicles and objects with superior level of accuracy. With its proprietary six-axis and MEMS fabrication platform, TDK inertial sensors enhance applications possibilities thanks to their high-performance, small-size and low-power features. Positioning solutions built for the connected world Key benefits of the ProPoint Go positioning engine and RTX correction with TDK’s modules include: Accuracy: The synergy between the two solutions delivers superior positioning accuracy under all conditions: open sky, urban canyons and indoor, even in harsh environments and among wide temperature variations. Reliability: Customers can rely on consistent and dependable orientation and navigation data, crucial for applications such as autonomous vehicles, drones, and industrial machinery. Versatility: The integrated solution is adaptable to a wide range of applications, such as automotive positioning, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X), field robotics and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The TDK automotive safety IMU components, developed as SEooC according to ISO 26262, are suitable for applications with requirements up to ASIL-D. In addition to its six-axis solution, TDK provides quality-managed solutions that also include a three-axis magnetometer in a nine-axis solution. Availability Trimble’s ProPoint Go engine and RTX correction service and TDK’s IMUs module are available for testing with the Trimble Evaluation Kit. To learn more, visit positioningservices.trimble.com/en/automotive. To learn more about Trimble’s precise positioning technology for automotive and IoT applications, visit positioningservices.trimble.com. To learn more about the TDK 6-axis IMUs for automotive applications, visit invensense.tdk.com/smart automotive. For 9-axis, visit invensense.tdk.com/positionsense, and for industrial applications, visit invensense.tdk.com/smartindustrial. For more information about Trimble, visit trimble.com. The post Trimble, TDK partner to accelerate precision navigation appeared first on Engineering.com.
Mumbai turns to the sea and Candela P-12 electric hydrofoil ferries to cut traffic
Mumbai, the most populous city in India, plans to begin a mammoth move to sea-based transit using Candela electric hydrofoil ferries. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region has a population of over 23 million, making it the seventh-most populous metropolitan region in the world. It also has the most billionaires of any city in Asia, along with some of the worst traffic and road congestion. Mumbai is a city composed of islands—seven, to be exact. By turning to the sea, Mumbai is poised to move commuters via high-speed arteries dedicated to clean, efficient and electrified water transport. Following an official visit to Stockholm by India’s Minister of Commerce, Piyush Goyal, to experience the Candela P-12 electric hydrofoil boat, Candela CEO Gustav Hasselskog and Niraj Thakur, the CEO of Mumbai-based operator JalVimana, announced that the latter has ordered and will operate a fleet of 11 P-12 vessels. It plans to expand the fleet as the company’s experience with the electric hydrofoil boats grows. “We believe Candela’s next-generation P-12 will be a giant leap for Mumbai and towards our national goals of a sustainable future for our vast Indian coastline and inland waterways,” said Thakur, adding that “JalVimana is honored to bring this Swedish gift to our ancient shores.” The order for 11 P-12s is the largest order yet placed for vessels of this type, Candela said. The first P-12 vessels to arrive in Mumbai will serve two of the city’s most heavily traveled routes, linking the Gateway of India with Alibaug and the Gateway of Elephanta Island. The first route can take from two to three hours by automobile, while JalVimana expects the travel time by water to take less than half that. Another planned route will link the city’s new airport with central Mumbai, reducing the travel time from 90 minutes to less than 30 minutes. Candela has now received multiple orders from major municipalities and operators for its P-12 electric ferry. The P-12 went into service in Stockholm in November 2024, picking up passengers in Ekerö, an island of almost 12,000 inhabitants outside Stockholm, and reaching Stockholm’s City Hall, a 9-mile (15 km) jaunt, in just 30 minutes. That is 15 minutes faster than its diesel-powered counterpart, while using 80% less energy to power the trip. A fleet of eight P-12 ferries is on order by Saudi Arabia to make trips to Neom, the massive (and controversial) development that Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, the crown prince and authoritarian leader of Saudi Arabia, is creating there. The P-12 will be coming to Lake Tahoe to speed up north-south trips across the lake on the California-Nevada border. The vessel is also being deployed in Berlin to bring the travel time from the Eastside Gallery to Funkhaus down from as much as 26 minutes in traffic to 10 minutes by traveling along the Spree River. In November 2024, Candela said it had raised an additional $14 million in its Series C investment round, putting the company’s total secured funding in 2024 at over $40 million. The investment will help Candela ramp up production to meet demand for its vessels. The new $14-million investment round was led by SEB Private Equity, a global private equity investor, and included participation by existing investors EQT Ventures and KanDela. Source: Candela
Two lithium processing projects added to federal permitting dashboard
The US Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council has announced the federal permitting of two DOE-supported lithium processing projects. The projects—Kings Mountain and Liberty Owl—are aimed at increasing lithium processing capacity in the US in order to develop more secure domestic supply chains. The Kings Mountain, NC Project, owned by chemical manufacturer Albemarle, is receiving a $150-million federal award through DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC). The project supports the construction of a new commercial-scale processing facility that will have the capacity to produce 350,000 tons per year of lithium oxide concentrate. The Liberty Owl Project in the Texarkana region is owned by TerraVolta, a US-based critical minerals and resources company. This project is receiving a $225-million award through MESC for the construction of a commercial-scale lithium extraction and refining facility to produce battery-grade lithium from domestic brine resources from the Smackover region. Source: US Department of Energy
Review: The Remco motorized lift stand is a dream come true for e-bikes
Working on e-bikes can be a pain – literally – if you’re hoisting 70, 80, or even 100-pound (up to 45 kg) bikes onto a repair stand for assembly or maintenance – something I seem to be doing on an all too regular basis. That’s why I was excited to get and test out a Remco electric bike lift stand, a motorized work stand that does the heavy lifting for you. And after using it for a few months while assembling and maintaining a revolving door of hefty e-bikes, I can safely say that this thing is a game changer – especially if your back is tired of playing bike mechanic. more…
Connectivity for next-gen E/E vehicle architectures
Sponsored by TE Connectivity. Driving the Future of Mobility. The automotive industry is undergoing a significant evolution, driven by changing consumer demands and shifting expectations for personalization, connectivity, safety, electrification, and enhanced features and functionality. Underpinning this transformation is the design evolution of next-generation electrical/electronic (E/E) vehicle architectures which are unlocking a new era of smarter, safer and more convenient mobility along with more efficient manufacturing processes. To address increasing expectations for functional sophistication and efficiency, next-gen E/E vehicle architectures leverage centralized control units and zonal designs. These innovations enable functional software-driven consolidation with over-the-air (OTA) updates, optimized data and power distribution, reduced wiring harness complexity and weight, as well as increased design flexibility and scalability for future innovation. Below, we explore the pivotal trends and challenges – from autonomous driving and increased connectivity to electrification and the rise of shared mobility – that are shaping next-generation vehicle architectures, and the critical role connectivity plays in enabling this transformation. Image 1: Today’s car buyers prioritize PACES – personalization, automated and autonomous, connectivity, electrification and sustainability features – demanding immersive, future-ready mobility experiences over traditional ownership models. The Benefits of Zonal Architectures: Efficiency Meets Innovation Traditional E/E architectures can no longer keep pace with the complex demands of modern vehicles. They rely on complex and vehicle-spanning wire harnesses, which often result in inefficiencies and increased weight. Next-gen architectures, characterized by zonal designs and centralized control, are setting a new standard. Image 2: Vehicle Architecture Transformation Zonal architectures feature centralized, more powerful control units that are organized into distinct zones, providing more modern computing structures that enable server-based software processes. This approach not only simplifies and reorganizes wire harnesses but also supports more efficient, higher-speed transmission and real-time processing of additional sensor and environmental data. The objective is fewer nodes/ECUs but significantly more connection opportunities (ports) per node — linked together by a high-speed data backbone. This approach not only streamlines the wiring harness, reducing its weight and complexity, but also paves the way for more scalable and flexible vehicle designs and functional deployment. Think of zonal architectures as cities with well-organized neighborhoods, each with its own utilities and services, all connected by a high-speed highway. The key benefits include the following: Simplified wiring: Zonal architectures have significant implications for vehicle design and manufacturing. As zone-based installation approaches replace unwieldy, vehicle-spanning harnesses, it becomes possible to use lighter cabling systems. This enhances electrical efficiency, reduces weight and simplifies harness installation and, due to better partitioning, makes automated harness production an option. Scalable design: Physical restructuring also makes it possible to pre-equip a car for future upgrades. Through over-the-air (OTA) updates, software-defined vehicles (SDVs) can continue to add — as paid subscription services — value and functionality long after leaving the production line, without needing to have any hardware installed or changed. Some examples of upgrades already being offered by select OEMs is the momentary activation of more performance, more battery range, or higher levels of autonomous driving. Enhanced efficiency: Centralized control units and better partitioning allow for improved energy management and facilitate the automated production of harnesses. What Do Next-Gen E/E Architectures Mean for the Future of Mobility? These architectures empower automakers to create vehicles that are flexible, future-proof, and cost-effective. Next-gen E/E architectures enable the integration of a growing number of innovative functions for design, performance, and functionality — from autonomous driving and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) to enhanced infotainment and battery management systems. High-speed data networks and modular connectivity solutions facilitate the seamless communication and control of these systems, ensuring efficient energy management and an improved driving experience. In addition, as power demands continue to rise, transitioning from traditional 12V systems to 48V architectures helps lower current levels, decrease heat loss in wiring, and enhance overall efficiency. The shift to 48V enables better thermal management and supports scalable, high-power computing platforms while aligning with the evolving needs of software-defined vehicle architectures. Connectivity: The Backbone of Smarter Vehicles As vehicles evolve into high-tech ecosystems, reliable and robust connectivity is essential to ensure seamless communication between zones and systems. Connectivity offerings will also need to provide space-saving solutions to serve the higher number of connections across fewer high-power control units while providing a greater level of modularity to support additional flexibility. TE Connectivity (TE), a global industry technology leader, is at the forefront of this revolution, delivering cutting-edge automotive solutions designed with scalability, sustainability, and automation in mind. TE’s portfolio combines engineering excellence with practical innovation, ensuring automakers have the tools to build vehicles for generations to come. TE’s connectivity innovations are specifically designed to enable next generation vehicle architecture transformation: High-speed data transmission: Advanced connectors like the GEMnet Multi-Gigabit Automotive Connectors and MATE-AX Miniaturized Coax Connector System supports ultra-fast communication, critical for real-time functions such as autonomous driving/ADAS and infotainment systems. Space-saving designs: TE’s Modular Hybrid System (MHS) features flexible plug and heard configurations and is scalable for any vehicle platform. It delivers up to a 40% reduction in both space and weight and utilizes the latest sustainable materials, recycling processes and is automation-ready. The GenY 68P Sealed Hybrid Inline Connector combines signal, power and data connectivity into a single hybrid solution, supporting OEMs by streamlining connector consolidation, minimize supply chain complexity, and achieve savings in cost, weight, and space. Automation-ready solutions: TE’s connectors are designed to simplify manufacturing and assembly, enhance reliability, accuracy and traceability. Power advancements: TE’s 48V-ready connectors are engineered to deliver safe, reliable and efficient power distribution, supporting the transition from 12V systems to meet the growing energy demands more effectively. This shift improves overall performance, reduces weight and cost, and facilitates great system automation. In-device connectivity: Inside device connectivity is essential for zonal controllers, facilitating communication between zones and connected subsystems as well as centralized processors. This enables a unified framework where a central processor can access data from all sensors and actuators.TE offers an expansive portfolio of automotive grade solutions including flex-to-board, board-to-board, wire-to-wire, and wire-to-board options. EMI Shielding: Next-gen E/E architectures include a
Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix 2025: A brief history, full schedule, and teams
The countdown is on for another exciting week of solar car racing! Over 30 teams from the US, Canada, and worldwide have registered their hand-designed and built solar cars to compete in the 2025 Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix (FSGP). What makes this year’s FSGP especially notable, aside from the impressive number of teams we expect to see, is that it marks the 25th anniversary of the track event, first held in 2000. more…
NEO Battery Materials’ silicon battery achieves over 90% capacity retention at 300 cycles in coin cell
Canadian silicon anode materials developer NEO Battery Materials has announced that its P-300N silicon battery material has outperformed its target metrics for long-term capacity testing. The P-300N High-Stability Variant exhibited over 90% capacity retention for 300 cycles in the coin full cell format, exceeding the target set at 80% retention given the same cycle frequency. The results establish P-300N as one of the most stable silicon battery materials utilizing metallurgical silicon (MG-Si), which is the lowest-cost silicon input available for battery-grade applications, the company said. The results now allow NEO to proceed toward large-cell format testing. The company has initiated the battery cell design and architecture of single-layer pouch cells, which will involve long-term battery performance tests of 500+ cycles to optimize interactions between P-300N, graphite anodes and various cathode materials. To prepare concurrently for near-commercial, multi-layer cell testing, NEO is in active discussions with battery prototypers and global manufacturers in South Korea, the US, and Germany. Multi-layer cell manufacturing will be outsourced due to the need for specialized equipment. To fulfill requests from global downstream partners, NEO has secured all post-treatment equipment and installation is nearing completion at the R&D Scale-Up Centre. It has also decided to add a key manufacturing unit to expand its overall capacity. This high-specification machinery will enhance quality levels as it will enable higher precision control and efficient MG-Si processing. NEO Battery Materials is working with industrial automation specialist Rockwell Automation to set up a 240-ton facility with the capacity to expand to 5,000 tons of silicon anode material per year, in Windsor, Ontario. Source: NEO Battery Materials
Tesla owners take stand as Stockholm insists on blocking FSD tests
Tesla owners in Sweden are taking it upon themselves to lobby for the approval of FSD-style tests in the City of Stockholm. The owners’ efforts come amidst city officials’ continued refusal to allow Tesla to test its autonomous driving system in the capital. In open letters and social media posts, Tesla owners have urged Stockholm to reconsider its stance, pointing to broader support for FSD trials across Europe. But despite their efforts, city officials appear unwilling to budge, reinforcing the capital’s hardline stance on the Elon Musk-led EV maker. Public support shows brand loyalty A group of Swedish Tesla owners recently sent an open letter to Stockholm leaders. Among them is Alexander Kristensen, who has written a letter to officials urging them to allow Tesla to test FSD in the region. Tesla FSD Testing in StockholmLet's step up our game!I drafted a new letter to Stockholm City as a response to their reply. This time, we will make them aware of the fact that we can have them replaced in the election next year. Let's beat them at their own game! https://t.co/r4dNLUJWIt — Alexander Kristensen (@LinkN01) June 23, 2025 “Members of the Traffic Committee are politically appointed by the Stockholm City Council, whose mandate is determined by the popular vote. Your stance—continuing to block a conditional pilot of FSD— is thus a political decision and fully subject to the electorate’s judgment in the next municipal election. “When the City prevents tests that could validate and refine the technology locally, it is perceived as hampering life-saving innovation,” the Tesla owners wrote. The Swedish Transport Administration issued a response, acknowledging the Tesla owners’ feedback. The Transport Administration noted that it could proceed to grant a permit for Tesla to test FSD, but the company would still have to secure approval from local governments where the FSD-style tests will be conducted. Breaking!We got a response from the Swedish Transport Administration. As soon as they get the complementary information (geographical test area), they can proceed to grant Tesla the permit to test FSD. All Tesla needs (as i understand it) is approval from the local government… pic.twitter.com/lXKKD1PYjK — Alexander Kristensen (@LinkN01) June 25, 2025 Stockholm remains firm Despite this, Stockholm doubled down shortly after, stating that Tesla’s FSD software remains prohibited on city roads. “Thank you for your comments and for taking an interest in traffic issues concerning the City of Stockholm. As previously stated, the City’s assessment of the current application remains unchanged and our position is set out in the opinion,” the City of Stockhom wrote. In light of the city’s response, some Tesla owners have vowed to campaign against current officials in the next election. Breaking! Stockholm City responded to our open letter!Their stance is still no. They will NOT allow Tesla to test FSD in the city. What happens now?The path they have chosen is the path of pain. Now, we will work in the coming election to have them replaced. I have… pic.twitter.com/icsF163oNT — Alexander Kristensen (@LinkN01) June 25, 2025 The push for FSD testing comes as Tesla faces ongoing challenges in Sweden, including a labor dispute with unions over collective bargaining agreements. Since late 2023, the conflict has resulted in strikes, blockades, and legal battles, none of which appear close to resolution. Despite regulatory and labor headwinds, Tesla continues to expand in the region, including the recent installation of Superchargers in union-backed areas. The post Tesla owners take stand as Stockholm insists on blocking FSD tests appeared first on TESLARATI.
Tesla Robotaxi’s biggest challenge seems to be this one thing
Tesla Robotaxi launched just a few days ago to a limited number of riders in Austin, Texas, but its biggest challenge seems to be how the automaker will figure out one thing: the Sun. Among the company’s unique strategies, its emphasis on using cameras for self-driving is perhaps the most interesting. No other company has adopted the same strategy, as others have relied on cameras with either sensors or LiDAR rigs to accomplish their self-driving deployments. Tesla, on the other hand, has called LiDAR unnecessary. CEO Elon Musk once called it “a fool’s errand,” stating it was not needed to build an effective self-driving fleet of vehicles. Musk compared cameras to eyes. Humans don’t need sensors or LiDAR to operate vehicles on the road, so why should cars? This brought up some questions, especially regarding sun glare. Musk said that Tesla would use direct photon counting to see directly into brigt sunlight or even in the darkest conditions at night. His quote during a recent earnings call was: “Actually, it does not blind the camera. We use an approach which is direct photon count. When you see a processed image, so the image that goes from the sort of photon counter — the silicon photon counter — that then goes through a digital signal processor or image signal processor, that’s normally what happens. And then the image that you see looks all washed out, because if you point the camera at the sun, the post-processing of the photon counting washes things out.” So far, this strategy has yielded mixed results. We have seen examples of both: The Good We’ve had a handful of people state that they have had no issue using the Robotaxi when it is driving into direct sunlight. There are plenty of examples: Robotaxi seems to have no trouble driving into the sun. More to come pic.twitter.com/rZdd3Sya8k — Dirty Tesla (@DirtyTesLa) June 25, 2025 Tons of direct sun glare during many of my Tesla Robotaxi rides today in Austin. The vehicles handled it with no problem. pic.twitter.com/3kyiQF4RMs — Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) June 24, 2025 Absolutely ZERO issues heading into direct sunlight in our Robotaxi, been going for almost an hour now during golden hour/sunset. As smooth as it always is. pic.twitter.com/iSCp6qdNC0 — Zack (@BLKMDL3) June 25, 2025 The Bad Day 1 of Robotaxi testing with 20 initial riders! Caught a rare phantom braking moment on camera during our Waymo vs. Tesla Robotaxi race. It’s a one-off glitch in Full Self-Driving mode—most rides were smooth! Drop your thoughts! pic.twitter.com/liJGSIIHKw — Kim Java (@ItsKimJava) June 24, 2025 The Verdict This is obviously a weird case, and it seems that this could be one of the challenges Tesla will face with the deployment of Robotaxi. While it will get figured out, this is something that could ultimately push back Tesla’s goal of having no safety monitor in the vehicles. However, the instance will be learned and used to improve in the future through its Neural Nets. The first intervention was captured yesterday, requiring the Tesla safety monitor to stop the vehicle manually on the car’s touchscreen. The post Tesla Robotaxi’s biggest challenge seems to be this one thing appeared first on TESLARATI.
Anker launches new SOLIX F3000 power station with up to $1,850 savings, Bluetti takes up to 50% off units + exclusive savings, more
Headlining today’s Green Deals is Anker’s new SOLIX F3000 Portable Power Station that is launching with up to $1,850 in possible savings across various packages starting from $1,699. Right behind it, there’s Bluetti’s early Prime Day Sale that includes an exclusive bonus 5% savings for our readers, which has models like the Elite 200 V2 Portable Power Station dropping to a new $854 low, among others. There’s also Heybike’s 4th of July Sale with up to $600 taken off e-bikes and up to $198 in free accompanying gear starting from $999. Among our tool deals today, you’ll find EGO’s 56V 3,200 PSI Cordless Electric Pressure Washer bundle with two 6.0Ah batteries back at its $699 low, as well as the Greenworks 40V Combo Kit that gives you a 13-inch Cordless String Trimmer/Edger, a 350 CFM Leaf Blower, three spools of replacement line, and a 2.0Ah battery at a new $150 low. Plus, there’s all the rest of the hangover Green Deals in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s early Prime Day Sales from Jackery and Anker SOLIX, and more. Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories. more…
AVILOO updates its EV battery certificate with cell-level diagnostics, benchmarking and range insights
AVILOO has released an update to its FLASH battery test platform with a more detailed and accessible certificate for used electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. The new version introduces additional metrics, benchmarking capabilities and a visual format designed to improve transparency and trust in the EV remarketing process. The updated certificate includes the “AVILOO CERTIFIED” seal, which is applied when no defects or anomalies are found. It features improved state-of-health calculations using refined algorithms and AVILOO’s growing battery database. Additional enhancements include cell-level heatmaps for defect localization, comparative benchmarking based on battery size, mileage and age, and new range insights that compare real-world range to both manufacturer-rated and database averages. The AVILOO FLASH Test is designed to deliver results in under three minutes and now generates results through a new visual format called AVILOO PREVIEW. This format highlights technical battery health indicators that aid remarketing professionals and non-expert customers in evaluating EV battery performance. “The AVILOO battery test elevates battery diagnostics to a new technological level,” said CEO Marcus Berger. Adding that AVILOO independently calculates SoH instead of relying on data reported by vehicle battery management systems. AVILOO’s clients, including Manheim Express Europe, have reported improved business metrics after integrating the certificate into their valuation workflows—such as 33.4% higher EV sales rates. The FLASH Test covers approximately 95% of vehicle brands and is TÜV- and CARA-certified. Source: AVILOO
SME Foundation awards $850K in scholarships for manufacturing
The SME Education Foundation will award nearly 140 scholarships in 2025 to students pursuing a post-secondary education in technical fields that support manufacturing. Select recipients were recognized at the SME International Awards Gala hosted by the organization on May 4. This year, the Foundation awarded nearly $850k to graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students, further advancing its mission to inspire, prepare, and support the next generation of manufacturing and engineering talent. A record-breaking 1,697 applications were received, marking the highest number of applications ever evaluated by the program. Since 2005, the Foundation has awarded over $19 million to over 5,000 deserving students. The SME Education Foundation Scholarship recipients are selected through a rigorous review process and evaluated by a team of over 300 volunteer academic and industry professionals. Program participation among women and students of color increased in with a record number of applications received from underrepresented groups pursuing manufacturing and engineering education. Among this year’s scholarship recipients are students awarded the prestigious E. Wayne Kay and Dr. Irving P. McPhail Endowed Scholarships , who become part of the SME Education Foundation Bright Minds Community of Scholars, gaining access to the SME Bright Minds Mentorship Program and various other benefits provided by SME. Learn more about the Foundation scholarship recipients and their achievements here. The SME Education Foundation will begin accepting scholarship applications for the 2026-27 school year on Nov. 1. For more information, visit smeef.org/scholarships. The post SME Foundation awards $850K in scholarships for manufacturing appeared first on Engineering.com.
Cadillac’s most affordable EV just got even better with a built-in NACS port and much more
Cadillac’s new entry-level electric vehicle is about the size of a Tesla Model Y, and it’s already off to a strong start. Over 75% of Optiq buyers were new to the brand last month, but for the 2026 model year, Cadillac is taking it to the next level. The 2026 Cadillac Optiq now features a built-in NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers, a new rear-wheel-drive (RWD) option, and several other upgrades. more…
EST-Floattech adds LFP battery modules to Octopus Series for marine and and industrial applications
EST-Floattech has expanded its Octopus Series battery portfolio with the launch of new Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery modules designed for large-scale maritime and industrial energy storage systems. The new Octopus LFP modules are intended to meet growing demand for alternative battery chemistries in applications that require long discharge and charge cycles, such as vessels that operate by day and charge overnight. Each module delivers 52 V and 233 Ah, and the system is scalable to multiple megawatt-hours. The modular rack system is configurable in height and width and features integrated air cooling, which the company claims reduces weight, eliminates leakage risks, and requires less maintenance compared to liquid-cooled systems. The LFP modules are fully integrated with the existing Octopus Series Battery Management System (BMS), developed in-house by EST-Floattech. The BMS provides thermal and power management, diagnostics, and compliance with maritime class and cybersecurity standards. “By introducing LFP to our Octopus Series, we empower shipbuilders and operators with even more choice,” said Mark Witjens, CEO of EST-Floattech. “LFP gives us the ability to serve applications with a high energy capacity demand and long discharge and charge cycles with a robust, safe, and cost-effective solution.” The company plans to secure certification for the LFP modules from multiple maritime classification societies in early 2026. EST-Floattech reports that the new LFP variant complements its existing systems, which are installed in more than 300 vessels globally. Source: EST-Floattech
Elon Musk confirms Tesla Optimus V3 already uses Grok voice AI
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has teased new progress on the company’s humanoid robot, Optimus. In a brief post on X, Musk shared that he had an “excellent review” with the Tesla Optimus team. He also confirmed that Optimus V3 is already using Grok voice assistant in a later reply. Musk’s recent posts suggest that the development of Tesla’s humanoid robot is advancing steadily behind the scenes. Grok Already Integrated Musk’s recent comments about Optimus were shared on social media platform X. Initially, Musk posted that Optimus V3 would be (chef’s kiss), and that he just had an excellent review with the humanoid robot’s team. Considering Musk’s post, it was no surprise that some Tesla fans asked if Optimus would be able to talk using Grok, xAI’s large language model. Musk confirmed that Optimus “already does.” Grok’s integration with Optimus may allow the robot to interact more naturally with its environment and users. Tesla previously noted that Optimus will rely on the same neural networks powering its Autopilot and FSD systems. The addition of Grok could then make Optimus even more user-friendly for regular consumers. Optimus V3 is going to be Excellent review w @Tesla_Optimus team — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 25, 2025 Already does — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 25, 2025 Closer to Production The current iteration of Optimus features Tesla-designed actuators, improved limb control, and more human-like proportions. Recent demo videos released by the company showed Optimus units walking unassisted, balancing in place, and working in Tesla factories, among other tasks. Musk has also highlighted that Optimus would have upgraded hands with 22 degrees of freedom, close to a human hand. Musk noted during the company’s Q1 2025 All Hands meeting that Tesla may be able to produce around 5,000 units this year. “This year, we hopefully will be able to make about 5,000 Optimus robots. We’re technically aiming for enough parts to make 10,000, maybe 12,000, but since it’s a totally new product with a totally new, like everything is totally new, I’ll say we’re succeeding if we get to half go the 10,000. But even 5,000 robots, that’s the size of a Roman legion, FYI,” Musk said during the meeting. The post Elon Musk confirms Tesla Optimus V3 already uses Grok voice AI appeared first on TESLARATI.
US power sector battery storage momentum keeps charging on
Rapid growth in the installation of batteries is upending power systems across the United States, with battery-deployed electricity volumes scaling new records nearly every month. Steady cost declines combined with rising energy density levels are driving utilities to ramp up battery installations, and battery storage output now often exceeds all other power sources for key periods in certain electricity markets. Batteries are also stabilizing electricity networks by helping to control frequency and voltage levels, and by preventing grid overloads by storing excess solar power output and then discharging that power during peak consumption periods. Below are key trends to help track the continuing growth of battery systems within U.S. utility networks. WIDENING REACH Until recently, battery systems played only a tiny role within U.S. electricity networks, as utilities focused more on building out capacity from natural gas plants, solar and wind farms and other generation sources. In 2020, there was 30 times more solar capacity and 74 times more wind farm capacity than battery capacity within the U.S. generation system, according to energy data portal Cleanview. However, dramatic drops in the cost of battery systems – by as much as 40% a year since 2022 according to industry consultants – have helped drive uptake across several U.S. markets with large solar farm installations. As of April 2025, there was only around 5 times more solar and wind capacity in the U.S. than battery capacity, and battery capacity keeps climbing. Utility networks mainly use batteries to store surplus power generated from solar farms during the middle of the day – when system demand and power prices are typically at their lowest – and then discharge them when demand and prices rise. This solar plus battery combination allows utilities to avoid the need to throttle back output from across their network during the peak solar window, and to capture higher overall power prices by preventing the mid-day price dip. As of April 2025, there was just under 30,000 megawatts (MW) of utility battery capacity across the U.S., according to Cleanview. That total was over 28,000 MW more than was in place in 2020, and compares to solar power’s growth of 84,200 MW and wind power’s growth of 37,000 MW over that same period. Since 2022, utilities have installed more battery capacity than wind capacity, and are set to continue prioritizing the build-out of battery systems. GROWING IMPACT As of April, there are 19 states with 100 MW or more of utility-scale battery storage. California is by far the top battery storage user, with around 13,000 MW in place, or about 42% of the national total. The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) is also the largest battery user among major U.S. electricity networks, and uses batteries to maximise the uptake and impact of its solar systems. The CAISO system has around 21,000 MW of solar capacity and about 12,400 MW of battery capacity, according to the California Energy Commission. That hefty battery capacity allows CAISO to use batteries as a key source of power during peak demand periods, particularly during the early evening when solar output drops off and household electricity demand picks up. Between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on June 19, batteries were CAISO’s single largest source of electricity and accounted for roughly 26% of total electricity supplies during that period, according to electricity portal GridStatus.io. Natural gas was CAISO’s next largest power source – accounting for around 23% of supplies, followed by wind and hydro. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the main electricity market for Texas, is a more recent adopter of battery systems, and in 2024 added more battery capacity than any other state. As of April, Texas had around 8,200 MW of installed battery capacity, which helped supply around 7% to 8% of ERCOT’s total power during the evening of June 19, GridStatus.io data shows. Other states rapidly expanding battery footprints include Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico, which all also have growing volumes of utility-scale solar capacity which can be better harnessed when paired with battery systems. With battery prices widely expected to undergo further cost declines as vendors compete for business and new products are commercialized, more widespread uptake of battery systems is expected. A recent report by asset management firm Lazard pegged the so-called levelized cost of energy from utility-scale solar farms paired with batteries at between $50 and $131 per megawatt hour (MWh), depending on system scale. That compares to $47 to $170 per MWH for new natural gas peaking plants, around $24 to $39 per MWh for combined cycle gas plants, and up to $114 per MWh for new coal-fired plants. Given that the solar plus battery combination is often also far faster to deploy than constructing new power plants, the increasingly economical cost of batteries is expected to help them penetrate even less sunny areas going forward. That should ensure a steady widening in the deployment of battery systems across U.S. electricity networks in the years ahead. The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters. Enjoying this column? Check out Reuters Open Interest (ROI), your essential new source for global financial commentary. ROI delivers thought-provoking, data-driven analysis of everything from swap rates to soybeans. Markets are moving faster than ever. ROI can help you keep up. Follow ROI on LinkedIn and X. reuters.com L'articolo US power sector battery storage momentum keeps charging on proviene da BatteryIndustry.net.
Nordic Semiconductor acquires Memfault
Nordic Semiconductor announces the acquisition of its long-term partner, Memfault Inc., the market-leading cloud platform provider for large-scale deployments of connected products. This marks a major leap in Nordic’s evolution – from a hardware supplier to a complete solution partner. Memfault and Nordic leaders shake hands. Nordic now provides a comprehensive platform that simplifies development and accelerates time-to-market. Throughout the product lifecycle, continuous software upgrades strengthen the security, performance, power consumption, and functionality of products in the field. This allows customers to focus on innovation – free from the burden of navigating fragmented and complex IoT ecosystems. Empowering product development through simplicity and scale Memfault has established itself as the leading platform provider for device observability and management, and secure over-the-air (OTA) software updates to ensure the highest device reliability without field returns. It is trusted by a growing developer community and customers to monitor, maintain, and scale connected products. Nordic will integrate Memfault’s capabilities across its complete product portfolio and into its existing nRF Cloud services platform, creating a significantly more powerful solution. Strengthening Nordic’s edge AI and security solutions This acquisition further strengthens Nordic Semiconductor’s leadership position in addressing current and future market demands. As IoT nodes become increasingly intelligent through edge AI, and as security standards evolve under frameworks such as the EU Cyber Resilience Act, Nordic’s software and cloud services will equip product developers with comprehensive tools to stay ahead of industry and regulatory expectations. Commitment to continuity and customer trust Nordic and Memfault share a broad base of mutual customers and common markets. Nordic is committed to supporting every IoT device maker – including all existing Memfault customers – regardless of their choice of hardware. The Memfault platform will continue to thrive, with further enhancements and investments in hardware integration, device management, and advanced AI capabilities. This acquisition underscores Nordic’s commitment to an exceptional customer experience. Nordic’s new software services will remove complexity and add value for thousands of customers who can now focus on product innovation. This solution will reduce time-to-market, lower operational costs, and enable our customers to manage their connected products effectively across the entire lifecycle. For more information, visit nordicsemi.com. The post Nordic Semiconductor acquires Memfault appeared first on Engineering.com.
$15.5B in EV, renewable projects vanish as Senate eyes rollbacks
EV and renewable investments in the US are stalling – and May was another tough month. Businesses canceled $1.4 billion worth of clean energy factories and projects last month, according to the latest numbers from E2 and the Clean Economy Tracker. That pushes total canceled investments to $15.5 billion this year, wiping out nearly 12,000 potential jobs. more…
