Tesla is testing a goofy camouflaged Robotaxi prototype ahead of reveal
Tesla is gearing up for its October 10 Robotaxi unveiling, which will take place at Warner Bros. Studio, and it’s currently running a fleet of (normal) cars around the lot to map the area.
But one of the cars, photographed late yesterday by a lot employee, stands out – and it stands out because it seems to be a heavily-camouflaged version of the heretofore-not-seen Robotaxi.
The photo was taken and first posted by u/boopitysmopp on reddit. It shows an oddly-shaped, bright yellow vehicle on what looks to be the Warner Bros. lot, leading in front of a another Tesla. It seems to be passing by the costume department and heading in the direction of “Warner Village,” a fake street of suburban houses.
The yellow coloring looks to be automotive camouflage pasted onto the vehicle, along with additional pieces of bodywork to obscure the shape of the vehicle body. Instead of going with camouflage of zebra-like line patterns like vehicles often do, Tesla looks to be having some fun with it and making quite a cartoony-looking vehicle.
While the photo was taken at night from a distance, so it’s somewhat noisy, we can still tell a little bit from it.
u/boopitysmopp also said that the rear end had a Cybertruck-like taillight that went across the whole rear of the car, but that they didn’t get a picture of it. They were also asked if there’s a steering wheel, and they responded that they couldn’t tell. Although, by boosting the exposure of the photo, there does seem to be something like a steering column in the vicinity of the driver’s seat.
Overall, the camouflaged prototype does look a lot like the concept render we’ve seen of the Robotaxi, which we used for the featured photo of this article. The general shape with the low nose and swept windshield/rear end are all roughly visible in the camouflaged vehicle.
There is a large boxy… thing in the back, but that looks like kind of like Tesla bolted a box onto the back of the vehicle just to make it look different.
It also looks smaller than the car following behind, though it’s hard to tell from the perspective of the photo. Rumors suggest that the Robotaxi will be a 2-door, 2-seat car, and a smaller size would fit with this. u/boopitysmopp described the vehicle as “tiny,” which fits with this observation.
The final prototype – if what’s under the camouflage is indeed the version that Tesla intends to reveal – probably doesn’t look exactly like the concept render, from what we can see. For example, the rear end may actually be flatter, once you take away the boxy shape in the back… but some of the general lines seem to be there.
(Frankly, it looks like if the box were removed, it might look like a Ute, which are popular in Australia. But that feels like it can’t be right, given the concept and intent of the vehicle…)
The camouflaged Robotaxi also has strangely dark wheels, and it’s tough to figure out the design from the photo. Perhaps the car was just moving at the time (though it’s at a stop sign, and the one behind is not moving), or maybe the Robotaxi’s wheels look quite solid, just like the concept drawing above.
Is that a LiDAR bump? (*probably not)
Another feature the spotted prototype sports is a small bump near the center of the roof, at the top edge of the windshield. While this could be a visual artifact or part of the camouflage, it could also be a “LiDAR bump” – which would be very interesting indeed.
There are various ways for vehicles to incorporate LiDAR into their designs, but one of the popular methods is to go with a bump at the top of the windshield, somewhat reminiscent of the bump of a taxi sign. Placing the LiDAR up high increases visibility as compared to putting it down low in the bumper.
If it is a LiDAR bump, this would be a big departure, given that Tesla has consistently said over the years that LiDAR is not necessary for autonomous operation. Tesla has always focused on either vision-only or vision-plus-radar, always taking the position that LiDAR sensors are expensive overkill.
It would also perhaps put into question whether the rest of Tesla’s vehicles, which Tesla has been saying have the hardware to be capable of full self-driving since 2016, will ever actually gain that promised capability. Tesla has been backing off from these promises (which it nevertheless made and owes to its customers) lately, possibly finally seeing a dead end for vision… but this is highly speculative, given that the “bump” in the photo could be nothing at all.
But, one thing we do know from this: Tesla is testing something like a Robotaxi, at Warner Bros., where lots of people with cameras work, so we expect to see more along these lines, perhaps in full daylight, soon enough.
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In honor of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, eBike specialist Buzz Bicycles is offering an exclusive discount for Electrek readers on its Centris Class 2 Folding Bike.
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Buzz Bicycles is back with an exclusive new deal
Buzz Bicycles has been a mainstay on Electrek for a few years now, as we have covered several of its electric bikes, which suit riders of all skill levels and help them “Buzz through life.” Buzz is an omnichannel eBike brand that prioritizes direct-to-consumerism and has found success in its mission to deliver ultimate transportation solutions at an excellent value for its growing base of eBike enthusiasts.
The company strives to deliver riders a “Wow moment,” which is usually brought on as they feel the pedal assist function kick in. This feature delivers all you need to conquer hills and longer rides while enjoying new adventures with friends.
The Buzz team has utilized decades of industry experience into its portfolio of eBikes, all conceived and designed in Dayton, Ohio. The company, which operates under the United Wheels umbrella alongside brands like Huffy Bicycles, Niner Bikes, and Batch Bicycles, has adopted an ethos that the freedom of riding should be fun and accessible for everyone, no matter what adventure lies ahead.
By leveraging the global presence of its parent company, Buzz Bicycles can make good on its promise to deliver affordable eBikes that are comfortable, powerful, and safe, much like the Centris Folding eBike, which is as versatile and compact as it is fun. The exclusive deal Buzz Bicycles is offering on the Centris makes it even more fun. You can take advantage of it below.
But first, you’ll want to learn about the capabilities of this foldable eBike to truly understand its value, as well as what accessories are available to level up your purchase.
The Buzz Centris is an easy to ride foldable eBike for all
The Buzz Centris is a Class 2 Folding eBike built for comfort and convenience no matter where you take it. At full size, the Centris’ step-through frame offers a low step-over height of just 16 inches, perfect for riders of all sizes, enabling easy transitions from ground to saddle for its riders.
When you’re not riding, the Centris from Buzz Bicycles folds neatly to 34 inches in length and 22 inches in height, making it easy to store at home or to carry in a vehicle on the way to your next ride. Furthermore, the assembled bike only weighs 68 pounds, making it easy to transport.
You can easily navigate tougher terrain on the Centris thanks to the eBike’s 20″ x 4″ knobby tires and front suspension. The bike is powered by a 48V, 500-watt-hour (Wh) battery pack that can propel it to a top speed of 20 mph for an all-electric range of up to 40 miles on a single charge.
Additionally, this folding model from Buzz Bicycles comes equipped with both a front and rear rack, offering versatile cargo-carrying options so you can customize your ride with a variety of Buzz accessories.
Like all Buzz eBikes, the Centris is tested and deemed compliant with the UL2849 standard. This standard covers the entire electric bicycle system, including the motor, battery, controller, and charger, offering the highest safety standards for added peace of mind.
The Centris Class 2 folding bike from Buzz is available in two colors: Gloss White or Matte Black. This $1,199 eBike is currently reduced to $899 – and you can score an additional $200 off with this exclusive promo, but only for a limited time.
With the purchase of any Buzz eBike, including the Centris, you are guaranteed the following:
- 10-year limited warranty (lightweight aluminum frame protected for full 10 years)
- 2-year limited warranty (electrical components covered by 2-year warranty for peace of mind)
- 6-month limited warranty (additional bike components protected by a 6-month warranty)
Are you interested in the Centris from Buzz Bicycles? You’ve come to the right place. Starting today, while supplies last, you can take advantage of an additional $200 off the sale price by using promo code “ELECTREK200.“ That’s a $500 discount in total!
Don’t wait, because this deal only runs through 11:59 PM on December 8, 2024.
We highly recommend perusing Buzz’s entire lineup of products. They are designed for commuters and casual riders, with technology and features that help you quickly feel comfortable riding. If you are new to the world of E-transportation, Buzz Bicycles is the brand for you.
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With up to 500 km (310 miles) of all-electric range, the new Mercedes eActros 600 electric semi truck was designed for long-haul trucking – and now, it’s officially in production at the company’s Wörth plant in Bavaria.
The electrification of Daimler Truck’s Mercedes line is progressing nicely, with the eActros 300 and 400 models handling drayage and short-haul duties, and the eEconic seeing duty in waste disposal and airport refueling. The addition of the new 600 model expands on that work with a truly capable long-haul solution that will help Mercedes’ customers clean up their operations.
“The start of series production of our eActros 600 is a further proof of our ambition to transform the industry,” offers Karin Rådström, CEO of Daimler Truck. “With a range of 500 kilometers on a single battery charge, our eActros 600 is addressing the long-haul segment in Europe which is responsible for two-thirds of CO2 emissions from heavy road freight. Our battery-electric long-haul truck will therefore make a real difference.”
In addition to the 600’s additional range, the newest eActros marks another milestone by becoming the first electric Mercedes semi to be manufactured on a single line (the eActros 300/400 and eEconic leave their standard production lines to have their electric drive components installed at Mercedes’ Future Truck Center in Wörth).
“With the start of series production of the eActros 600, we are expanding our Wörth product portfolio with an important vehicle for the future,” says Andreas Bachhofer, Head of the Wörth site and Production at Mercedes-Benz Trucks. “Construction of this first battery-electric truck made in Wörth will be fully integrated into the existing assembly hall, flexibly alongside the manufacturing of combustion-engine trucks. This means that we are ideally positioned for the production of larger quantities. Our production team is well prepared for the successive ramp-up over the coming months.”
The new electric semi truck features a 600+ kWh battery (hence, eActros 600) that sends power to a new, highly efficient electric drive axle developed in-house by Mercedes-Benz, good enough to “be able to travel significantly more than 1,000 kilometers per day. This is made possible by intermediate charging during the legally prescribed driver breaks – even without megawatt-charging.”
The company claims the massive, 600 kWh battery in the eActros can be charged from 20 to 80 percent in about 30 minutes at a megawatt charging station, which will soon (?) be available across Europe. First deliveries of the new 600 series Mercedes electric semi trucks are expected to begin Q1 of 2025, with production ramping up to full speed soon after.
Electrek’s Take
Electric semi trucks are racking up millions of miles as more and more pilot programs being to pay off, leading to more orders for battery electric trucks and more reductions in both diesel demand and harmful carbon emissions. We can’t wait to see more.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Daimler Trucks.
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Ben Maclean is the 24-year-old owner of a land reclamation business called Down to Earth Developments that specializes in transforming unusable or degraded land into more productive plots that can be put to residential or agricultural use – and Ben is using these hybrid machines to make reclamation an even more sustainable enterprise.
Maclean is bucking the trend of young people avoiding construction and agriculture and making a name for himself throughout the UK. Soon after becoming the youngest customer to order one of Caterpillar’s first D6XE electric dozers earlier this year. Ben was so impressed with the big electric drive CAT that he ordered another one.
It’s just arrived – and Ben seems pretty excited about it.
“It’s not just the electric drive using less fuel, but the all-round technology package you get with CAT machines that saves costs in quite a few ways,” explains Maclean. “We also have two CAT 323 hydraulic excavators and their grade assist and payload technology help us get the job done that little bit quicker.”
The electric drive CAT machines operate much the same way that range-extended EVs (or “EREVs“) do. Onboard batteries send power to electric motors while an ICE generator works to keep them topped off. The arrangement delivers superior power, torque, and control compared to diesel drive, with a 35% improvement in fuel efficiency and, according to CAT, 20% fewer harmful carbon emissions compared to the conventional 3 speed D6T Tier 4 Final.
“Sustainability is quite literally what they do,” says Ryan Trafford, manager at CAT’s UK distributor, Finning. “Customers like Ben are the first generation to have grown up understanding the importance of making responsible decisions, with sustainability being at the heart of that.”
Here’s hoping more young people bring their sustainable priorities to the various trades as they come up.
CAT D6XE electric drive dozer
SOURCE | IMAGES: Down to Earth Developments.
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