[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong] The global mobility industry is moving into a multi-dimensional expansion centred on autonomous driving and urban air mobility (UAM). Waymo is expanding robotaxis to 10 U.S. cities and has set a goal of a full opening in 2026. Waev has succeeded in raising $1.2 billion and is moving to advance its technology with support from Nvidia and Uber.

Uber launched "Uber Autonomous Solutions" to step up its strategy for commercialising self-driving technology. It also started an air taxi service in Dubai, expanding its business into the skies. In South Korea, Autonomous A2Z is entering overseas markets after receiving approval to export national core self-driving technology to the UAE, in a shift toward a more multi-layered global competition for dominance.

• Waymo sends robotaxis into 10 U.S. cities, targets full opening in 2026 • Waev raises $1.2 billion as Nvidia and Uber back self-driving bet • Uber launches "Uber Autonomous Solutions" to commercialise self-driving • Uber starts air taxi service in Dubai, opening sky routes? • Autonomous A2Z wins UAE export approval for national core self-driving technology

Issues surrounding Tesla can be summed up in two tracks: concerns over slowing growth and business reorganisation. Tesla has moved to improve its offering, including by previewing a Model 3 upgrade with a QHD display. Demand concerns grew as its electric vehicle sales in China plunged 45 percent.

That comes as debate flared over a drain of key talent after the departure of a Cybercab general manager. Tesla is also accelerating its expansion of commercial-vehicle infrastructure, adding an electric truck charging network at 64 locations across 15 U.S. states. Both growth strategy and structural challenges are coming into focus.

• Tesla previews Model 3 upgrade, adds QHD display • Tesla's China EV sales plunge 45 percent, warning light for weakening demand • Tesla Cybercab general manager resigns, key talent drain accelerates • Tesla expands electric truck charging network, adding 64 locations across 15 U.S. states

South Korea's mobility platform industry is broadly shifting into "profitability mode." Tada posted a record high in airport transfer reservations during the Lunar New Year holiday, signalling a recovery in demand. SoCar continued improving results as its fourth-quarter operating profit last year jumped 345 percent year on year to 13.2 billion won. Humax Mobility also confirmed topline growth by reaching 200.0 billion won in parking business revenue.

As the three major platforms in turn succeed in swinging to profit, competition is taking shape around profitability rather than scale expansion. A keyword that runs through the three firms' results last year is "selection and focus." T Map scaled back or reshuffled kickboards and chauffeur driving, SoCar reworked its subsidiary structure, and Kakao Mobility reorganised the share of platform services. They succeeded in filling the space created by cost cuts with data and AI-based revenue models.

• Tada sets all-time high for airport transfer reservations over Lunar New Year holiday • SoCar posts 13.2 billion won in operating profit in last year's fourth quarter, up 345 percent year on year • Humax Mobility reaches 200.0 billion won in parking business revenue • Three mobility platforms swing to profit, profitability race intensifies

In the United States, prices of 1-year-old used electric cars are plunging, dropping by about 20 million won compared with new models. In South Korea's used-car market, the Genesis GV70 has seen transactions and searches surge since March, boosting its presence. A clear temperature gap is emerging in the used-car market as the global decline in EV values contrasts with preference for domestic premium SUVs.

• U.S. prices for 1-year-old used EVs plunge, about 20 million won cheaper than new cars • Genesis GV70 jumps in popularity in March used-car market

Global automakers continued to diversify their electrification strategies. Volvo's EX30 supports bidirectional charging, boosting the usability of electric vehicles. Toyota moved to cooperate with Treehouse to simplify charger installation. The possibility of a next-generation hybrid SUV based on the Hilux BEV platform was also mentioned, as companies strengthen both EV infrastructure and powertrain strategies.

• Volvo EX30 supports bidirectional charging, raises EV usability • Toyota cooperates with Treehouse to simplify EV charger installation • Toyota to unveil next-generation hybrid SUV based on Hilux BEV platform?

A new form of personal mobility that breaks the formula of wheels has also drawn attention. The "Oneball Bike," which riders mount atop a single ball and travel 360 degrees in all directions, stands out for a distinctive structure that keeps balance while seeming likely to topple. Unlike existing two-wheeled transport, it delivers rotation and movement at the same time around a sphere, presenting the potential for next-generation micromobility.

In Japan, a four-legged walking robot called "Corleo" is being developed with a goal of commercialisation in 2030 as an alternative that could follow electric bicycles. It is a future-type means of transport designed with off-road driving and leisure use in mind, overcoming terrain with four legs instead of wheels. As the idea of movement expands from "rolling" to "walking," the boundaries of personal mobility are widening rapidly.

• "It looks like it will fall but doesn't": One ball enables 360-degree all-direction driving as "Oneball Bike" emerges • After electric bicycles, electric horses? Japan develops four-legged robot "Corleo" for commercialisation in 2030