Waymo unveils its World Model AI system that generates extreme driving simulations including elephants on roads and tornado scenarios to train robotaxis for rare situations, as the company faces safety scrutiny after a recent California incident involving a child.
Elon Musk confirms SpaceX merges with xAI to create a massive $1.25 trillion company combining artificial intelligence, rockets, and space-based computing, while Tesla stock plunges 3.8% amid analyst predictions that the electric vehicle maker could join the mega-merger within 12-18 months.
California Teamsters demand indefinite suspension of Waymo's operating license after a self-driving car strikes a child in Santa Monica, prompting federal investigation while the union cites ongoing safety risks and job threats from autonomous vehicles.
Tesla discontinues its flagship Model S sedan and Model X SUV next quarter as CEO Elon Musk pivots the company toward robotics and autonomous technology, converting Fremont factory space to produce Optimus robots instead of the luxury vehicles that helped establish Tesla's electric vehicle dominance.
A Waymo robotaxi strikes a child near a Santa Monica elementary school during drop-off hours, causing minor injuries when the child suddenly enters the roadway from behind a parked SUV, prompting federal investigations by NHTSA and NTSB into the autonomous vehicle's safety protocols around schools.
Tech giants announce massive global AI expansion plans at Davos while startups with no actual products raise billions in funding, as Tesla removes human safety monitors from Robotaxis in deregulated Texas markets.
Tesla revives its scrapped Dojo3 AI chip project with a dramatic pivot from self-driving cars to space-based computing systems, as Musk rebuilds the team that disbanded five months ago to support his ambitious plan for solar-powered AI satellites launched via SpaceX Starship.
Tesla accelerates Cybercab autonomous vehicle testing with high-speed highway trials and cold weather validation in Buffalo, targeting production start in April and commercial deployment by late 2026.
Ford unveils plans to launch an AI voice assistant this year and introduce Level 3 hands-free, eyes-off autonomous driving by 2028, as the automaker scrambles to cut costs and develop profitable electric vehicles after canceling the unprofitable F-150 Lightning.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang predicts human-level robots could emerge next year as the company unveils new AI models including autonomous vehicle reasoning and humanoid robotics systems, though experts caution that real-world robotic errors carry far greater consequences than digital chatbot mistakes.