Tesla has begun operating its steering wheel- and brake pedal-free autonomous robotaxi, Cybercab, on roads in Austin, Texas, drawing attention to its vehicle design and self-driving strategy. Use conditions include a ban on riders under 13, and the timing of general sales remains unclear. Rivals are expanding service footprints, while South Korea’s mobility sector focuses on infrastructure, partnerships and data-based services alongside debate on EV battery durability and safety.

LG Energy Solution and Seoul National University said they have addressed a key hurdle to commercialising lithium manganese-rich (LMR) batteries by curbing gas generation in large cells for electric vehicles. The team analysed oxygen redox behaviour during charging and discharging and found that both upper charge voltage and lower discharge voltage affect oxygen recovery. Using redesigned operating and activation conditions, a 40Ah-class LMR large cell retained 92.2 percent of initial energy after 883 cycles.