A Tesla executive has announced that the automaker plans to update its Model S and Model X vehicle programs later this year.

In 2021, Tesla introduced updated versions of the Model S and Model X, its flagship EVs.

The design refresh failed to reignite the vehicle programs. At one point, Tesla envisioned a volume of 100,000 units per year for the two vehicles combined, but that number had fallen to about half as of last year.

Part of that is due to increased competition at the top end of the EV market from companies like Lucid, Rivian, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and others, but it is also due to Tesla’s own canabilization with Model 3 and Model Y vehicles getting more love over the last few years.

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Now, Tesla has confirmed that it plans to update the Model S and Model X.

Lars Moravy, Vice President of Vehicle Engineering, made the announcement on the Ride the Lightning podcast:

“Just give it a minute. We’ll get there. The upgrade a few years ago was bigger than most people thought in terms of architecture and structure; We’ll give it some love later this year; Everyone here has a little place in their heard for S/X. They are not going anywhere anytime soon.”

The executive didn’t elaborate on what the update will entail, but we can expect some of the similar features as those introduced in the latest Model 3 and Model Y refresh.

It is rare for Tesla to announce upcoming vehicle refreshes or comment on leaks due to the Osborne effect, which occurs when premature discussion of future, unavailable products damages sales of existing products.

Electrek’s Take

I am unsure if it is Moravy’s mistake or if Tesla just doesn’t care because Model S and Model X sales are in the dumpster anyway.

What can we expect from Model S/X refresh?

I am hoping for efficiency improvements for Tesla to catch up a bit to Lucid. Maybe Tesla will bring back the turn signal stalk, like it did for Model Y and it is expected to do with Model 3.

Also, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a bunch of lightbars like the new Model Y.

What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.

Automation and warehouse robots have been changing the way we ship and store goods for decades. In a post-Altman/OpenAI world, though, we get to call that kind of autonomous operation “AI” and slap a multimillion dollar valuation on it – which is exactly what Ati Motors did.

Don’t get me wrong, Ati Motors seems like a solid company. Not only are their Sherpa robots perfectly fine products, the company itself is experiencing a hockey stick of growth – nearly tripling its orders in 2024 from the year before. With that in mind, the $20 million Series B investment, led by Walden Catalyst Ventures (WCV) and NGP Capital (NGP) with participation from current investors including True Ventures, Exfinity Venture Partners, Athera Venture Partners and Blume Ventures, seems more like smart business and less like a late addition to the AI hype train.

For their part, the executives at Walden and NPG seem to agree.

“We’re excited to co-lead this investment in Ati Motors,” says Upal Basu at NGP Capital. “The company’s ability to successfully deploy fully autonomous mobile robots across diverse industrial environments, combined with their rapidly growing customer base, makes them a standout in the industrial automation space. We believe their unique approach to combining Edge AI, LIDAR, and robotics will help address a critical need in the manufacturing sector.”

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Sherpa Tug can haul 1,000 kg

With both outdoor and indoor capabilities, the autonomous Sherpas are a natural fit for warehouses like Amazon and IKEA locations, but the bigger, 1,000 kg units could be suitable as airport luggage tugs, as well.

Ati’s press material says its autonomous Sherpa robots will “change the way you work, without you changing a thing, “adding that they are, “programmed to safely and seamlessly integrate into your existing workspace, workflow and workforce.”

The Sherpa robots feature 360 degree cameras and lidar sensors to constantly map their surroundings, as well as autonomous obstacle avoidance and automatic parking features. Their compact, li-ion battery packs are modular, good for up to 8 hours of continuous operation (depending on model), and can be easily swapped by a human operator in a matter of seconds.

Presumably, the batteries could also be swapped by a different Ati robot in a few more seconds, but that seems dystopian AF. Besides, the little Sherpas are undeniably adorable – so it’s OK.

Watch the video for the autonomous Sherpa PalletMover, below, then let us know what you think in the comments. (While you do that, I’m going to watch Wall-E again.)

Ati Sherpa – forklift certified

SOURCE | IMAGES: Ati Motors, via PR Newswire.

In a reflection of growing sentiment in the US against reckless electric bike riders, one California town is preparing to enact a series of new restrictions and legal clarifications for e-bike riders.

This week, the Santa Barbara City Council will be discussing proposed changes to its city ordinances pertaining to electric bicycles.

The move has been spurred by many in the city having taken issue with riders who operate their bikes in reckless or dangerous manners, often riding near pedestrians on sidewalks or showing a general disregard for the safety of passersby.

As KEYT pointed out, the concerns are often associated with riders of light electric motorcycles such as those made by Sur Ron, Talaria, and other similar bikes. These motorbikes generally do not fall under the legal definition of electric bicycles in most jurisdictions, including in California. Their use on public roads is usually illegal as most lack the requirements for street-legal use. Their intended use is trail riding, such as on fire roads and other off-road scenarios.

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“Among them is a Surron,” explained KEYT’s John Palminteri. “It is capable of going up to 75 miles per hour according to the manufacturer and through online video testing. There’s even an additional modification that is said to increase that number another five miles per hour.”

In actuality, most Sur Ron electric motorbikes are capable of speeds around 40-50 mph, though several popular online videos have showcased owners hot-rodding their bikes for higher speed. There are also larger, higher-performance models available, though they are considerably rarer on the streets. Such bikes are used more commonly in the motocross scene.

Young riders cruising the streets while popping wheelies on Sur Ron-style electric motorbikes have become a key image in the debate over reckless riding in cities around the US.

The proposed Santa Barbara ordinance changes include language to tackle that phenomenon head on, including “clarifying language that tricks or wheelies constitute riding in an unsafe manner when pedestrians or vehicles are present.”

Potential actions include “citations, an educational component, and the option to impound a bike by someone illegally riding it.”

According to KEYT, additional definitions and regulatory changes in the proposed ordinance ammendements include:

• Defines what constitutes operating in an unsafe manner and provides examples of unsafe ridership behaviors. This section is applicable to any public street, public right of way, sidewalk, bicycle path, lane, or trail.
• Requires riders to use bike lanes where possible, and on streets without bike lanes, to ride close to the right curb or edge of roadway.
• Requires riders to ride in single file, and not more than two abreast except on paths or parts of a roadway set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
• Requires the yielding to pedestrians when emerging from an alley, driveway, bicycle path, building or otherwise approaching upon a sidewalk or sidewalk area.
• Prohibits the riding of a bicycle or electric bicycle on any sidewalk except while an active threat to personal or public safety is present.
• Requires the wearing of properly strapped helmets for all riders under 18 years of age and that all bicycles or electric bicycles have reflectors affixed to both the front and back wheels and on the rear of the bike.
• Prohibits the operation of a bicycle or electric bicycle on a roadway unless it is equipped with a brake that will enable the operator to make one braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
• Prohibits the parking of a bicycle or e-conveyance in a manner that obstructs a sidewalk or pedestrian path.
• Stipulates that any violation of the ordinance is punishable as an administrative citation with the fine not exceeding $100 for the first violation, $200 for a second violation, and $500 for each additional violation within a one-year period.