Tesla Autopilot drove into Wile E. Coyote-style fake road wall in the middle of the road in a camera versus lidar test.
While most companies developing self-driving technologies have been using a mix of sensors (cameras, radar, lidar, and ultrasonic), Tesla insists on only using cameras.
The automaker removed radars from its vehicle lineup and even deactivated radars already installed in existing vehicles.
The strategy has yet to pay off as Teslaâs systems are still stuck at level 2 driver assist systems.
Advertisement – scroll for more content
CEO Elon Musk claims that Teslaâs advantage is that once it solves autonomy, it will be able to scale faster than competitors because its vision plus neural net system is designed to work like a human driver and, therefore, will be able to adapt to any road.
Critics have pushed back against those claims, especially since Musk mentioned Tesla achieving âlevel 5 autonomyâ, which means âin any conditions,â and cameras have limitations on that front that are fixed by lidar sensors.
A new video by engineering Youtuber Mark Rober has provided a very interesting demonstration of that very problem:
In the video, Rober puts a Tesla Model Y on Autopilot against a vehicle using a lidar system in a series of tests in different conditions.
The Tesla on Autopilot managed to stop for a kid mannequin in the middle of the road when statics, moving, and blinded by lights, but it couldnât stop in fog or heavy rain:
Itâs not surprising that the lidar, a laser-based system, is capable of detecting better in heavy fog than a camera system.
The heavy rain was a bit more surprising, but to be fair, the level of rain was quite spectacular.
The last scenario of a Wile E. Coyote-style wall with a fake road painted on it was obviously not realistic, but it serves to illustrate the issue with cameras versus radar or lidar sensors: they rely on the perception of potential obstacles rather than hard data about potential obstacles.
In simple words, the lidar sensors didnât care what was painted on the wall, they only cared that it was a wall, while cameras can be tricked.
Electrekâs Take
I think itâs clear that no Tesla vehicle currently available will be capable of level 5 autonomy as Elon claimed.
Level 4 is also questionable.
I think you can accomplish a lot with cameras, but I think itâs undeniable that adding radars and lidars can make systems safer.
In DMs with us during Teslaâs transition to vision only, Elon even admitted that âvery high-resolution radars would be better than pure visionâ, but he claimed that âsuch a radar does not existâ:
âA very high-resolution radar would be better than pure vision, but such a radar does not exist.â
When we pointed one out to him, he didnât respond. Also, while they use light rather than radio waves, lidars are basically high-resolution radars, but the problem is that Musk has taken such a strong stance against them for so long that now that they have improved immensely and reduced in prices, he still canât admit that he was wrong and use them.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
Starting with the 2026 Cadillac Optiq, all future GM EVs will have a built-in NACS port, including the new Chevy Bolt. In the meantime, GM introduced several new charging adapters for current Chevy, Cadillac, and GMC EV owners.
GM launches new NACS adapters for EVs
You know how the iPhone seems to get a new plug every year? GM compared the transition to NACS to the evolution of USB-C in smartphones and laptops and the HDMI standard for TVs.
With a similar movement with EV charging transitioning to the NACS standard, GM aims to make the transition as seamless as possible.
Starting with the 2026 Optiq, Cadillacâs new entry-level electric SUV, all future GM EVs will be equipped with an NACS charge point as standard. And yes, that does include the upcoming 2027 Chevy Bolt EV, which is expected to make its official debut by the end of the year.
Advertisement – scroll for more content
The company introduced four new chargers this week to âhelp ensure that every customer can navigate this transition,â including NACS-to-CSS, CSS-to-NACS, and several others.
2026 Cadillac Optiq EV (Source: Cadillac)
GMâs new adapters are mainly designed to help drivers access Teslaâs Supercharger Network. However, the company is also offering an adapter for NACS-equipped EVs to connect to its Level 2 PowerShift home charger. Another adapter for NACS-equipped models enables vehicle-to-home (V2H) capabilities.
The new adapters are in addition to the NACS DC Adapter that GM began selling last year, so drivers could use Tesla Superchargers.
To help you understand which adapter you need, GM has created a helpful graphic. Although it may seem like a lot, the new adapters are really just designed to help current owners get the best charging experience while GM works to add native NACS ports to all its upcoming EVs.
GM electric vehicle adapters (Source: GM)
With over 46,000 electric vehicles sold in the second quarter, GM is starting to chip away at Teslaâs dominant lead in the US. Thanks to the new Equinox EV, or âAmericaâs most affordable 315+ range EV,â Chevy became the fastest-growing electric vehicle brand in the US earlier this year.
With leases starting at just $279 a month, the Chevy Equinox EV is hard to pass up right now. If you want to test out one of GMâs electric vehicles for yourself, you can use our links below to find Chevy, Cadillac, and GMC EVs near you.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
ChargePoint (NYSE: CHPT) and Eaton just unveiled ChargePoint Express Grid, powered by Eaton, a V2Xâready ultrafast EV charging platform with fullâsite power gear that pushes passenger EV charging up to 600 kW and brings megawattâlevel power for heavyâduty fleets.
Itâs designed to overcome grid constraints and make it easier and cheaper to roll out highâpower charging as more EVs hit the road.
The system is V2Gâenabled and can sync onsite renewables, energy storage, and EV batteries with local energy markets to help fleets cut fueling costs. With participating utilities and at scale, it can also help balance the grid.
How it works
Eaton custom engineers each Express configuration and ships the siteâready power package, with an optional skidâmounted setup to speed installation, trim equipment needs, and simplify connections to the grid and distributed energy resources (DERs).
Eaton plans to commercialize solidâstate transformer technology in the next year through its acquisition of Resilient Power Systems to support DC applications for the EV market and beyond.
ChargePoint CEO Rick Wilmer said the new ChargePoint Express architecture, particularly the Express Grid variant, will âtake DC fast charging to levels of performance and cost not previously imagined.â He added, âCombined with Eatonâs end-to-end grid capabilities, ChargePoint is delivering solutions to help EVs win on pure economics, regardless of tax incentives or government support.â
Eatonâs Paul Ryan, vice president and general manager of energy transition, called it âindustryâchanging technologyâ that can be deployed faster while achieving new levels of reliability and efficiency âat a significantly lower cost.â
Express solutions are available to order for select customers in North America and Europe, with deliveries beginning in the second half of 2026.
Advertisement – scroll for more content
Quick specs
Platform: ChargePoint Express Grid, powered by Eaton
Capability: V2X (with integrated V2G)
Power: Up to 600 kW for passenger EVs; megawattâlevel for heavyâduty
Deployment: Siteâready power package; optional skidâmounted configuration
Grid/DER: Built to sync renewables, storage, and vehicle batteries with local energy markets
Timeline: Orders open (select customers, North America & Europe); deliveries start H2 2026
The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If youâve ever considered going solar, nowâs the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, itâs free to use, and you wonât get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.Â
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and youâll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
Only in China can a company specializing in robot vacuums be bold enough to design, manufacture, and sell EVs. Additionally, China is the only place where such a business could actually work. A company named Dreame Technology is transcending smart appliances and wants to deliver ultra-luxury BEVs. Better still, itâs already targeting Bugatti as its main competitor. Dreame big!
Dreame Technology was founded in 2017 with the goal to, per its website, ârevolutionize daily life for our global consumers.â Dreame currently offers a number of electronics that do just that, including robot vacuums, robotic pool cleaners, and hair dryers.
Over the last eight years, Dreame has accumulated manufacturing know-how and its team understands much of the technology behind electric mobility, but does that mean itâs capable of transitioning into a bona fide BEV automaker?
We saw Chinese smartphone behemoth Xiaomi, announce a similar strategy back in 2021. Now, a mere four years later, Xiaomi Automobileâs two flagship BEVs are among Chinaâs most sought-after, and the company is setting world speed records with its technology.
Advertisement – scroll for more content
Dreame Technology has likely drawn some inspiration from Xiaomi, but its automotive development plans actually predate the companyâs existence. Today, the robot vacuum maker has already assembled a massive team to âDreame upâ its first all-electric modelâone it says will compete against the Bugatti Veyron.
Dreameâs current product offering / Source: Dreametech.com
From robot vacuums to luxury EVs? Meet Dreame
As reported by CnEVPost, Dreame Technology officially announced its entry into the ultra-competitive BEV industry in China, beginning with an ultra-luxe model planned for a 2027 debut that will compete against the Bugatti Veyron.
The flagship EV from the robot vacuum developer will be powered by Dreame super motors as well as an intelligent ecosystem that differs from traditional luxury vehicles, enabling âseamless integrationâ with user smart homes and smartphones. Per Dreame Technology:
Today, Dreame officially announces its entry into automotive manufacturing to build the worldâs fastest car.
While Dreameâs decision to evolve beyond robot vacuums and pool cleaners into BEVs may seem hasty, the company explained that its plans for vehicle development actually date back to 2013, four years before the current iteration of the company was established.
Per the company, it has already assembled an automotive team of nearly 1,000 people, which it will continue to expand as development of its flagship BEV model continues. The company added:
We may not be the earliest to embark on this journey, but we will be the most determined.
What do you guys think? Can a robot vacuum company deliver the worldâs fastest BEV? Can it even deliver an all-electric model that can compete in Chinaâs saturated market? Xiaomi did it, so thereâs hope. This will be a developing story to keep an eye on.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.