Kodiak Robotics introduces an autonomous electric Class 8 truck
Autonomous freight technology developer Kodiak Robotics has unveiled an all-electric, self-driving Class 8 truck on display at the ACT Expo this week. The autonomous electric truck is a Peterbilt EV upfitted with Kodiak’s “Driver” sensor-pod technology. Check it out.
Kodiak Robotics was founded in 2018 with the purpose of developing an autonomous technology stack that is purpose-built for long-haul trucks in order to make the freight industry safer and more efficient.
In its progress, Kodiak has been able to establish a unique modular hardware approach that integrates sensors into a holistic sensor-pod structure, optimized for perception and scale. Its self-driving technology is already supporting certain freight customers on highway portions of routes in the southern US, and the company’s software is currently being used to test and deploy autonomous capabilities for the Department of Defense.
Now, Kodiak has implemented its “Driver” autonomous technology stack into an all-electric Class 8 truck – an EV the company is touting as the “first-ever” in terms of size.
Autonomous electric truck to join Kodiak fleet in 2024
Kodiak Robotics introduced its fifth-generation self-driving sensor technology on an 579EV model truck from Peterbilt. Because Kodiak’s autonomous system is vehicle- and powertrain-agnostic, it says it can easily incorporate it into any and all emerging truck platforms as they become available.
The 579EV is the second truck platform the company is upfitting with its self-driving technology, and it is on display at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Anaheim, California, this week. Kodiak shared that the upfitted autonomous electric truck can be recharged in three hours, offers 670 horsepower, and has a range of up to 150 miles.
Although the 579EV is designed for short-haul trips, Kodiak says it will serve as a perfect test vehicle as it works bring autonomy to longer-haul EVs in the future. As those EV technologies develop and range expands, the company is confident it will remain well-positioned to integrate its technology. Kodiak Robotics founder and CEO Don Burnette spoke:
We believe that the future of trucking is the combination of electric and autonomous vehicles. Given advancements in battery and fuel cell technologies, achieving zero-emissions trucking will soon be within reach. Kodiak’s work on the Peterbilt Model 579EV will help us gain valuable experience in how to build autonomous electric vehicles, and help us realize that vision. Customers have been long asking for an autonomous electric vehicle and we are delivering on that need.
Looking ahead, Kodiak says it is exploring implementing its Driver sensors into other zero-emissions platforms like hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and “others.” You can check out the company’s Gen-5 autonomous electric truck at ACT Expo this week and the latest Driver sensor-pods in the video below.
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Tesla’s retro-futuristic diner with Superchargers and giant movie screens is ready to open, and I have to admit, it looks pretty sick.
This project has been in the works for a long time.
In 2018, Elon Musk said that Tesla planned to open an “old school drive-in, roller skates & rock restaurant at one of the new Tesla Supercharger locations in Los Angeles.” It was yet another “Is he joking?” kind of Elon Musk idea, but he wasn’t kidding.
A few months later, Tesla applied for building permits for “a restaurant and Supercharger station” at a location in Santa Monica. However, the project stalled for a long time, apparently due to local regulations.
Nevertheless, Tesla still moved forward with a Supercharger at the location, but it had to move the diner project to Hollywood. In 2022, Tesla filed the construction plans with the city, giving us the first look at what the automaker intends to build.
In 2023, the automaker broke ground on the site of the diner.
7 years after being originally announced, the project appears now ready to open:
Musk said that he ate at the diner last night and claimed that it is “one of the coolest spots in LA.” He didn’t say when it will open, but Tesla vehicles have been spotted at Supercharger and people appear to be testing the dinning experience inside.
A Tesla Optimus Robot can be seen inside the diner on a test rack. It looks like Tesla might use one for some tasks inside the diner.
Earlier this year, Tesla integrated the diner into its mobile app – hinting at some interaction through the app – possibly ordering from it.
Electrek’s Take
I think it looks pretty cool. I am a fan of the design and concept.
However, considering the state of the Tesla community, I don’t think I’d like the vibes. That said, it looks like Tesla isn’t prominently pushing its branding on the diner.
You can come and charge there, but it looks like Tesla is also aiming to get a wider clientele just for dining.
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Hyundai’s electric minivan is finally out in the open. The Staria EV was caught without camo near Hyundai’s R&D center in Korea, giving us a closer look at the electric minivan undisguised.
Hyundai’s electric minivan drops camo ahead of debut
The Staria arrived in 2021 as the successor to the Starex, Hyundai’s multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). Although the Staria has received several updates throughout the years, 2026 will be its biggest by far.
Hyundai will launch the Staria EV, its first electric minivan. Like the current model, the 2026 Staria will be available in several different configurations, including cargo, passenger, and even a camper version.
We’ve seen the Staria EV out in public a few times already. Last month, we got a glimpse of it while driving on public roads in Korea.
Despite the camouflage, new EV-like design elements were visible, including updated LED headlights and a full-length light bar. Although it’s still unclear, the electric version appears to be roughly the same size as the current Staria from the side, but slightly wider from the front.
New images posted on the South Korean forum Clien reveal a test car, expected to be Hyundai’s Staria electric minivan, without camo.
Like most Hyundai test cars, the prototype has a black front and a grey body. It still features a similar look to other prototypes we’ve seen, but you can clearly see the new facelift.
Earlier this year, a Staria EV was spotted in a parking lot in Korea, featuring a similar look. The electric version is nearly identical to the Staria Lounge, but with an added charge port and closed-off grille.
The Hyundai Staria EV is expected to make its global debut later this year. Technical details have yet to be revealed, but it’s expected to feature either a 76 kWh or 84 kWh battery, providing a range of around 350 km (217 miles) to 400 km (249 miles).
Hyundai’s electric SUV arrives after Kia introduced its first electric van, the PV5, which launched in Europe and Korea earlier this year.
In Europe, the Kia Passenger PV5 model is available with two battery pack options: 51.5 kWh and 71.2 kWh, providing WLTP ranges of 179 miles and 249 miles, respectively. The Cargo version has a WLTP range of 181 miles or 247 miles.
Source: TheKoreanCarBlog, Clien
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