Alex Roy

Now folded into the broader Demo Days Festival tour, Electrify Expo San Francisco spans over 1 million square feet of outdoor festival space with no appointments and no sales pitch — just open access to ride, drive, and demo. General admission starts at $24.99, and kids 5 and under get in free.

Test drive EVs from the big names

Attendees can get behind the wheel of electric cars and trucks from brands including Tesla, Ford, Rivian, Lucid, Toyota, Volvo, Lexus, Chevrolet, and GMC, alongside hybrids and PHEVs. A dedicated off-road Terrain Park — new for 2026 — puts trucks, SUVs, and crossovers through a 3-4 minute guided course with hill climbs, articulation mounds, and switchbacks, included with every ticket.

E-bikes, scooters, boards, and more

Beyond four wheels, the festival's demo courses cover e-bikes, e-motorcycles, e-scooters, e-skateboards, and e-watercraft, with brands like LeMond, Riese & Müller, and VORO Motors on hand to let attendees try before they buy.

New for 2026: robots and flying cars

This year's expansion adds a brand-new Robotics Showcase featuring humanoid, home-service, cleaning, delivery, and companion robots, plus an Aerial Mobility Showcase for eVTOL and flying-car concepts. Freestyle motocross demos, a kids zone, live music, and food round out the weekend.

Charging and solar tech on display

Outside the demo courses, exhibitors including ChargePoint, Anker, Sunrun, and Pacific Gas and Electric will showcase home charging hardware and solar solutions for attendees looking beyond the vehicle itself.

Electrify Expo San Francisco runs Saturday and Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM, at Alameda Point. Tickets and the full exhibitor list are available on the event's official site.

The AT-150 was jointly developed by SPIC, mining truck manufacturer Inner Mongolia North Hauler (NHL), and OEM-agnostic autonomous haulage specialist EACON. It combines three technologies that rarely appear together on the same vehicle: pure electric drive, bidirectional driving, and full autonomy — with EACON describing it as a genuine "mining transport robot" rather than a converted truck.

No cab, no front, no back

Removing the driver's cab entirely let engineers eliminate the traditional distinction between the front and rear of the vehicle. Paired with all-wheel steering and China's first two-way autonomous driving decision system, the AT-150 can drive in either direction through narrow work surfaces without needing to execute a U-turn — a routine bottleneck for conventional haul trucks working tight benches in an open pit.

Semi-solid-state batteries built for -30°C to 50°C

To handle the extreme swings of a northern Chinese mining climate, the AT-150 is the first truck of its tonnage class in China to use semi-solid-state power batteries. The pack supports 3.4 MW, 900V ultra-fast charging and is rated to operate reliably across a range of -30°C to 50°C. A full charge takes no more than six hours, and the truck's modular charging-and-swapping setup is designed to keep equipment deployment above 85%.

65% less energy per tonne than diesel

On-site measurements at SPIC's South pit found the AT-150 consumes 65% less energy per unit of work than a diesel truck of equivalent tonnage — while cutting CO₂ and NOx emissions that come with conventional haulage. The truck runs a closed-loop unmanned cycle covering automatic loading, autonomous driving, precise unloading, obstacle avoidance, and automatic parking, removing drivers from one of mining's harshest working environments while standardizing operation to reduce human error.

EACON frames the AT-150 as a new benchmark for "high-end, intelligent, and green" heavy transport in large open-pit mines — and with China's autonomous mining sector moving fast in 2026, it's likely to be the first of several cabless designs to reach production.

Tegtmeyer, who has spent years documenting Giga Texas and Starbase from the air, flew the site after receiving direct flight approval from Tesla. The footage shows tree removal and early earthmoving work spread across what Tegtmeyer describes as Phase 1 of a planned 10-phase build — echoing how ground clearing at Giga Texas quietly began before that project was ever formally confirmed.

The largest building in the world

Terafab is a joint venture between Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI, planned roughly 130 miles east of Giga Texas near College Station. The initial phase carries a combined $16.8 billion price tag, with a fully built-out multi-phase facility projected to cost around $119 billion and cover more than 100 million square feet — about ten times the footprint of Giga Texas. When finished, it's expected to be the most advanced chip fabrication plant, and the largest building, on Earth.

Not to be confused with the ATCF

Tegtmeyer has been careful to distinguish Terafab from the smaller Advanced Technology Chip Fab (ATCF) already rising at Giga Texas itself — a separate Tesla-SpaceX development facility that forms the first stage of the companies' AI chip program. Terafab, by contrast, will be the full-scale production site, intended to reduce Tesla and SpaceX's reliance on third-party foundries for the silicon that powers Full Self-Driving, Cybercab, Optimus, and orbital compute hardware.

Tegtmeyer says this is only the beginning of regular coverage, with more aerial updates promised as clearing gives way to foundation work in the months ahead.

According to U.S. Customs Bills of Lading data compiled by trade research firm ImportGenius and reported by Forbes, Zeekr has shipped more than 3,200 units of its CM1e — known in China as the CM1e, and to Waymo riders as the Ojai — into the U.S. since 2024, with over 2,600 arriving in 2026 alone. Zeekr has no other U.S. customer, so the vehicles are widely assumed to all be headed to Waymo's fleet.

Getting around a 127.5% tariff wall

Chinese-built EVs currently face a combined 127.5% tariff in the U.S. — a 100% duty on Chinese EVs, a standard 2.5% import duty, and an additional 25% fee on "strategic" products including autos and auto parts. At the CM1e's roughly $39,000 Chinese sticker price, tariffs alone could push the landed cost close to $89,000 before any self-driving hardware is added. Most analysts had assumed the expense would cap Waymo's Zeekr fleet at under 1,000 vehicles.

Stripped down, then rebuilt in Arizona

To satisfy U.S. security rules targeting Chinese connected-vehicle technology, the Zeekrs arrive as bare "gliders" — stripped of sensors, telematics, and computing systems at Zeekr's Ningbo factory. Waymo then installs all of its proprietary autonomous driving hardware and software at its manufacturing facility in Mesa, Arizona. A Waymo spokesperson confirmed the setup, noting the self-driving technology itself is developed in the U.S.

Already on the road in three cities

Waymo has confirmed over 300 Ojai vans in service across early-access areas in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, up from the "more than 100" figure it gave when the model launched in late May. The Ojai rides on Waymo's sixth-generation hardware, which the company says costs roughly half as much as its previous system, and offers sliding doors and a flat floor for easier entry than the Jaguar I-Pace vehicles it's gradually supplementing.

The gap between what regular American buyers can access and what a well-funded robotaxi operator can import highlights an odd side effect of Chinese EV tariffs: the policy meant to protect U.S. automakers from cheap Chinese competition hasn't stopped that competition from reaching American streets — just American driveways.

Range Rover officially previewed the GT in July 2026, describing it as "the most technologically sophisticated" model the brand has ever built. Unlike the tall, upright SUVs that define the current lineup, the GT is a low-slung, fastback grand tourer with a coupé-like sloping roofline — closer in stance to a Polestar 4 than a traditional Range Rover.

Now, footage from YouTuber @Wilcoblok shows a heavily camouflaged prototype completing final validation testing on the Nürburgring. Even disguised, the car's sharp fastback silhouette and lower ride height are unmistakable on track.

Electric first, hybrid later

The Range Rover GT will launch as a battery-electric vehicle (BEV), with a full-hybrid (HEV) option following later in its lifecycle. It rides on JLR's new Electric Modular Architecture (EMA), the same platform earmarked for the upcoming electric Range Rover Velar. Production is set for JLR's Halewood plant in the UK.

A "reductive" cabin

Inside, Range Rover is leaning into what it calls a "reductive" design language: a single large central touchscreen replaces most physical controls, paired with a slimmer digital driver display and a concealed full-width air vent. Range Rover managing director Martin Limbert said the cabin was built around "purity, precision, and quiet modernity."

Full specifications and pricing are still under wraps, with Range Rover targeting an official debut before the end of 2026. For now, the Nürburgring footage confirms the GT's sporting ambitions are more than just a design exercise.  

Driving Impression

The headline feature isn't the zero tailpipe emissions — it's the silence. With no combustion engine rumbling beneath the chassis, guides and passengers can hold a conversation at normal volume while the vehicle is moving, and the absence of vibration means wildlife photographers get noticeably sharper handheld shots, particularly in low light. Thula markets this as letting guests hear "the chirping of birds, rustling leaves, and roaring lions" rather than an idling diesel.

Animals also appear to react differently to the ESV. Without engine noise or diesel exhaust, game reportedly stays calmer and more visible at closer range — a meaningful upgrade for both the photography experience and general guest immersion. A long-travel, four-wheel independent suspension setup keeps the ride composed over rutted bush tracks, and power is sent to all four wheels for genuine off-road capability rather than just marketing shine.

Range and Duty Cycle

At 200 km (~125 miles) per charge, the ESV's range looks unremarkable next to a typical passenger EV — but that's the wrong comparison. Game-drive vehicles don't commute; they crawl at low speed for a few hours at a time, several times a day, then park overnight at the lodge to recharge. Thula says the 200 km figure translates to roughly three full days of game drives between charges, which comfortably covers a standard lodge operating rhythm.

Thula ESV Specifications

Note: some figures (e.g., seating capacity, charge time) have varied across Thula's model generations as the vehicle moved from prototype to current production spec — confirm with Thula Solutions directly for a specific unit or model year.

Verdict

The Thula ESV is a strong case study in electrifying a niche vehicle category by designing around its actual duty cycle rather than chasing passenger-EV benchmarks. For lodges and reserves prioritizing guest experience, noise-sensitive wildlife viewing, and sustainability credentials, it's a compelling — and increasingly available — alternative to converted diesel game-viewers.

  Elon Musk's Tesla and SpaceX have committed $16.8 billion to break ground on Terafab, a colossal chip factory in Grimes County, Texas, with total costs potentially reaching $119 billion. Musk described the planned facility as "the largest and most valuable building on Earth by far." 
   The scale is staggering: more than 100 million square feet of manufacturing space is planned for the site, which would make it the equivalent of 15 U.S. Pentagons. The complex is set to exceed the combined size of China's New Century Global Center, the Pentagon, Apple Park, and the Mall of America. 
   Located in Grimes County, a rural area of about 30,000 people roughly 75 miles northwest of Houston, the plant is designed to be vertically integrated, handling manufacturing, packaging, and testing of advanced logic and memory chips under one roof. The chips will power Tesla's Optimus robots and Cybercab robotaxis, as well as SpaceX's space-based data centers. The project is expected to create at least 3,000 jobs across Grimes and neighboring Brazos County, and Intel has confirmed it will contribute to the effort. 

Worth noting: this is on top of Tesla's existing Gigafactory Texas expansion plans and separate from Musk's earlier push to incorporate "Starbase" as an actual city around SpaceX's Boca Chica launch site — so there are two distinct "small city" storylines involving Musk right now if you want me to cover the other one too.

eVTOLs Take Center Stage at Farnborough Airshow 2026

The Farnborough International Airshow 2026, held from 20 to 24 July, marked a significant milestone for electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. For the first time in the event’s history, a full-scale eVTOL completed public demonstration flights, including a transition from vertical lift to wing-borne cruise and back to vertical landing.

Vertical Aerospace of the United Kingdom achieved this landmark with its full-scale prototype. Chief Test Pilot Simon Davies performed the transition flight in front of industry leaders, regulators, operators and media. The company also displayed a full-scale commercial model of its Valo aircraft in the exhibition halls. Valo is designed as a four-passenger all-electric eVTOL with a targeted range of up to 100 miles and a cruise speed of approximately 150 mph. Vertical holds around 1,500 conditional pre-orders and is progressing toward certification, now targeting 2029.

Other Electric and Advanced Air Mobility Aircraft on Display

BETA Technologies participated with daily flying displays of its CX300, an all-electric conventional take-off and landing aircraft capable of carrying up to five passengers. The company also showed the MV250, a hybrid-electric uncrewed variant aimed at military logistics. Scottish regional carrier Loganair signed a non-binding term sheet for five CX300 aircraft with options for five more, positioning itself to become Europe’s first airline to operate an electric aircraft fleet from 2029.

Archer Aviation presented its Midnight eVTOL on static display. Joby Aviation exhibited its eVTOL air taxi, and Eve Air Mobility showcased a full-scale mock-up of its eVTOL design along with a flight simulator. Eve reported that its prototype had completed dozens of test flights since its first hover in late 2025 and was preparing for transition flight evaluations.

Broader Industry Context

The presence of multiple eVTOL and electric aircraft programs underscored growing momentum in advanced air mobility. Discussions at the show focused on certification pathways, infrastructure requirements, hybrid-electric solutions for extended range, and potential military and logistics applications. UK government support for Vertical Aerospace, including funding discussions for production facilities, further highlighted national interest in building a domestic advanced air mobility sector.

Farnborough 2026 demonstrated that electric aviation is moving from concept and private testing into public demonstration and commercial preparation, setting the stage for further progress toward operational service later in the decade.

Unitree R1 Humanoid Robot

The Unitree R1 is a compact, ultra-lightweight bipedal humanoid robot developed by Unitree Robotics. Designed as an accessible entry point into humanoid robotics, it prioritizes agility, dynamic movement, and ease of use for research, education, demonstration, and developer applications.

Standing approximately 123 cm tall and weighing around 27 to 29 kg depending on configuration, the R1 features a streamlined form factor that supports walking, running, cartwheels, recovery from falls, dancing, and dynamic martial arts-style motions. It integrates a multimodal large model for voice and image interaction, supports continuous over-the-air software updates, and is engineered for relatively straightforward out-of-the-box operation.

Key Design Highlights

• Agile mobility with 20 to 26 degrees of freedom (expandable to 40 on EDU variants with optional hands)
• 2-DOF head on standard and EDU models for enhanced environmental perception
• Lightweight structure ready for use without complex calibration
• Fully open joint and sensor interfaces on the EDU edition, with support for mainstream simulation platforms
• Hot-swappable lithium battery system

Specifications

Additional technical details include low-inertia high-speed internal-rotor permanent magnet synchronous motors, crossed roller and double-hook ball bearings, hollow plus internal electrical routing, and local air cooling. Joint movement ranges include knee from −10° to +139°, hip yaw ±157°, pitch −168° to +146°, roll −60° to +100°, and waist yaw ±150° with roll ±30° on equipped models.

Availability

The Unitree R1 is commercially available. Official pricing starts at $4,900 for the R1 AIR and $5,900 for the standard R1 model. The EDU edition requires direct contact with sales for configuration and pricing.

The robot is offered through Unitree’s official channels and authorized resellers. Shipping costs typically range from $300 to $1,200 depending on destination. Customers are responsible for all applicable customs duties, taxes, and import clearance procedures. Inventory status varies by configuration and region. For current stock, EDU options, or multi-unit inquiries, contact Unitree sales.

Tau Robotics has launched a home cleaning service using humanoid robots priced at $30 per hour. This service is currently available to a limited number of customers in San Francisco.

Tau Robotics, a home cleaning service using humanoid robots, has launched in San Francisco. The service costs $30 per hour. Initially, the machines perform cleaning tasks, including vacuuming, wiping, and taking out trash, but are not yet fully autonomous.

Each robot is remotely controlled by an operator from an office, and AI algorithms help perform individual actions and analyze the environment. This approach allows for data collection for further training of autonomous control systems.

The project aims to expand the home services market and attract customers who have not previously used home cleaning services.

The service is currently operating on a limited, invitation-only basis, and the company plans to gradually increase the number of orders after testing the reliability and safety of the technology.

Would you like a home cleaning robot?

  WhistlinDiesel continues its relentless Cybertruck test drive 

In the final episode of his Cybertruck Durability Test series (#3), WhistlinDiesel puts the Tesla Cybertruck through extreme challenges including:  High-speed collision into a Ford F-150 at ~110 mph  
Brutal off-roading in Moab, Utah (rock mode trails)  
VR headset “blind” driving  
Interior destruction tests (ripping visors)  
Driving on a flat tire/rim and multiple mechanical failures (towing module issues)

The no-holds-barred abuse testing highlights the truck’s limits in this conclusive chapter.