[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong] The race in autonomous driving is heating up again, led by Tesla. Elon Musk has claimed it will take another 5 to 6 years for Nvidia-based autonomous driving technology to catch up with Tesla. Tesla has also highlighted its technology after successfully completing a 4,300-km cross-country drive in the United States using FSD. At the same time, Mercedes and Nvidia moved to counter by releasing results from real-road driving. Musk also signalled a schedule adjustment, saying more driving data is still needed to achieve full autonomous driving.

• Elon Musk: Nvidia autonomous driving technology will take 5 to 6 years to catch up with Tesla • Tesla completes U.S. cross-country drive with FSD, a 4,300-km run draws attention • A real challenger to Tesla FSD emerges: test-driving a Mercedes-Nvidia autonomous car • Elon Musk delays autonomous driving pledge again: 16 billion km of data needed

As the robotaxi market enters a full-scale commercial phase, expectations and reality are intersecting. Waymo is accelerating commercialisation by deploying Zeekr’s electric van, the Ojai, as a robotaxi. It also surfaced an unexpected operational challenge, with the cost of opening and closing vehicle doors running into thousands of dollars.

Qualcomm, ZF and Mobileye are accelerating the technology race centred on automakers and supply chains after unveiling next-generation ADAS. The industry views the next year as a watershed for autonomous driving technology.

• Waymo deploys Zeekr electric van Ojai, robotaxi race intensifies • An unexpected robotaxi issue: Waymo faces door-closing costs of thousands of dollars • Qualcomm, ZF and Mobileye unveil new ADAS, autonomous driving race accelerates

Competition for leadership in the electric vehicle market is entering a new phase. Tesla and BYD’s two-horse race continues, but BYD overtook Tesla in Britain, signalling a shift.

The market environment is also growing more complex amid questions over Tesla’s competitiveness and moves to regulate electronic door handles. The bill directly targeting Tesla would require manual opening mechanisms instead of electronic door handles.

• Which EV ranks No. 1 in 2025 sales? Tesla-BYD two-horse race remains firm • Britain’s EV market: BYD beats Tesla in a dramatic 2025 shift • Tesla’s grip on the EV market weakens, lack of diversity a factor? • “No exceptions for safety”: U.S. Congress introduces bill to regulate electronic door handles

Chinese EV makers are stepping up their offensive. Xiaomi released an upgraded SU7 model priced lower than Tesla’s, and Nio said it will launch its flagship electric SUV, the ES9, in 2026.

Geely Auto declared it will enter the U.S. EV market within 2 to 3 years, signalling an expansion of its influence. Geely’s U.S. entry reflects the rapid growth of China’s EV industry. China has now emerged as the world’s largest auto exporter, and its EV technology has reached a level that can compete with Western markets.

• China’s Xiaomi upgrades SU7 EV, cheaper than Tesla • China’s Nio unveils flagship electric SUV ES9, to launch in 2026 • China’s Geely declares entry into U.S. EV market within 2 to 3 years

• 42dot seeks open SDV collaboration with 32 global companies • Socar’s Modu Parking exceeds 60 billion won in transaction volume

In South Korea’s mobility industry, platform-based collaboration and service expansion are advancing at the same time. Hyundai Motor Group’s 42dot is pushing open collaboration on SDV, or software-defined vehicles, with 32 global companies. Socar’s Modu Parking surpassed 60 billion won in transaction volume, underscoring growth in daily-life mobility services.

• As EV subsidies shrink, e-bikes rise; Consumer Reports recommends 5 models • Segway unveils 2 new e-bikes and an electric dirt bike with smart features

Interest in personal mobility is rising as a result of cuts in electric vehicle subsidies. As electric bicycles backed by value and practicality are emerging as a new alternative, Consumer Reports released 5 recommended models.

U.S. personal mobility specialist Segway has moved to target the market by unveiling 2 new electric bicycles with enhanced smart features and an electric dirt bike.

• From BMW to Ferrari: 5 new models to watch in the 2026 new year

Car enthusiasts are expected to have an especially busy 2026. Legacy brands and new entrants alike have flagged notable launches, including the return of the Ram TRX, the BMW 3 Series electric car, the Rivian R2 and Ferrari’s first electric vehicle.

• No propeller, no licence needed: one-person eVTOL “jet bike” appears

A personal electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, or eVTOL, that can be ridden without a pilot’s licence appeared at CES 2026. LEO Flight, a new aviation startup headquartered in Indiana, unveiled the LEO JetBike, a personal aircraft that removes conventional propellers and adopts electric jet propulsion, and began taking pre-orders.