[Digital Today reporter Hyunwoo Choo (추현우)] Waymo unveiled its AI-based autonomous driving simulation technology, the 'Waymo World Model'. The Waymo World Model uses Google DeepMind's 'Genie 3' technology to build an ultra-realistic virtual environment. Waymo said it is designed to improve the safety of self-driving cars and simulate a range of extreme situations.

• Waymo unveils autonomous driving simulation technology 'Waymo World Model' • Waymo criticises Tesla-style autonomous driving... 'Securing safety is the top priority'

Waymo's new simulation technology has strengths in that AI generates and trains on rare scenarios where data are scarce, and that it creates a lidar-based ultra-precise 3D environment. This is significant in that it can complement the limits of Tesla's approach of learning from vast amounts of real-world data and further raise safety standards for driverless robotaxis.

Waymo publicly criticised Tesla's camera-centred approach to autonomous driving. Waymo stressed the importance of sensors such as lidar and radar, and said its top priority is securing safety beyond human levels. It said cost is a burden but it will seek ways to improve.

• Tesla starts operating AI training centre in China... speeding up commercialisation of FSD • Tesla FSD policy may change again... Backlash spreads over 'It disappears when you sell the car'

As Waymo steps up its challenge, Tesla's moves on FSD are also accelerating. Tesla is operating an AI training centre in China as it develops full self-driving technology. With local data becoming available, it is expected to secure autonomous driving technology optimised for China's road environment. But it is unclear whether it can maintain a competitive edge as Chinese companies close in quickly.

Tesla changed its policy to separate FSD from the vehicle so that only the owner can use it. From Feb. 14, FSD will switch to a subscription model, and existing buyers may also lose software ownership when they sell the vehicle. Tesla has not clearly stated its policy on the matter, and consumer backlash is expected.

• Tesla unveils final specifications for 'Semi' heavy electric truck... two trims, standard and long range • An icon of EV innovation... What Tesla's Model S left behind

Tesla unveiled final specifications for the Semi electric truck and confirmed two models: standard and long range. The standard model can run 325 miles and the long-range model 500 miles, and it supports charging speeds of 1.2 megawatts. Tesla said it was designed with an autonomous freight network in mind, and production is set to ramp up in the first half of 2026.

Since its launch in 2012, the Tesla Model S has shaken up the EV market for 14 years and led Tesla to become the world's No. 1 automaker. The Model S will remain not just a car but a symbol of Tesla and an icon that led EV innovation.

• A rough road to electric cars... Mercedes shaken by EU fickleness • Stellantis 'EV transition was too fast'... reflects 22 billion euros in losses

As the EU eases its regulation banning sales of internal combustion vehicles in 2035, confusion is growing over automakers' transition strategies. Manufacturers that have invested on the assumption of an EV shift are now in a situation where they must invest in both internal combustion and EVs, expanding cost burdens and uncertainty at the same time.

Automaker Stellantis reflected restructuring losses worth 22 billion euros ($26 billion), sending its share price sharply lower in European and U.S. markets. The loss stemmed from an overly fast transition to electric vehicles. Overly optimistic expectations for the pace of the energy transition created a gap with actual consumer demand.

• China's Autoflight unveils 10-seat electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft... cooperation with CATL • China's Xpeng makes 'flying car' a reality... targets mass production in 2026

Autoflight unveiled the world's largest 5-ton-class eVTOL, the 'Matrix'. China plans to establish 300 aviation standards by 2030 to revitalise its low-altitude economy. Autoflight is growing rapidly in cooperation with CATL and also plans to enter global markets.

Airidge, the flying car unit of Chinese EV maker Xpeng, is stepping up marketing, including unveiling new colours, ahead of mass production of its flying car transport system. The two-stage eVTOL system targets mass production in 2026, and the company plans to build a production system of 5,000 units a year at its Guangzhou plant.

• BYD nearing commercialisation of all-solid-state batteries... targets production in 2027 • Xiaomi SU7 keeps battery at 94.5 percent after driving 260,000 km • Xiaomi unveils ultra-high-performance electric SUV 'YU7 GT'... top speed 300 km/h

BYD is expected to take EV battery technology up a level by producing all-solid-state batteries from 2027. All-solid-state batteries feature higher energy density and better safety than existing lithium-ion batteries. BYD plans to apply them first to premium models and then expand to mass-market models.

Xiaomi's SU7 electric car proved long-distance durability by recording a battery state of 94.5 percent after driving 265,000 km just 2 years after launch. Despite driving an average of 600 km a day, it completed 506 charge and discharge cycles, and the owner saw an effect of reducing fuel costs by about 100,000 yuan.

The YU7 GT is differentiated with a 990-horsepower dual-motor setup, a top speed of 300 km/h, a wider body and high-performance brakes. The expected market price is $60,000 to $70,000, and Xiaomi plans to expand its presence in the high-performance EV market through it.

• Kakao Mobility speeds up shift to physical AI company after shedding legal risks • Autonomous A2Z begins pilot of driverless taxi in Japan

Kakao Mobility shed suspicions of call 몰아주기 and accounting standards violations, shaking off legal risks that had continued for years. It is now expected to move beyond a platform and shift in earnest into a physical artificial intelligence company centred on autonomous driving.

Autonomous A2Z began a pilot of autonomous taxi services through a local taxi company in Japan. Autonomous A2Z will provide its technology to an autonomous taxi pilot project being conducted in Naruto, Tokushima Prefecture, Japan.

• Honda files patent for battery-swapping electric motorcycle... its bet is 'ultra-cheap, ultra-simple' • Trek unveils city e-bike 'Charter+' in the 5 million won range

Honda filed a patent for an electric motorcycle designed to be ultra-cheap. The core of the patent is a removable battery mounted on an external metal cage on the frame, simplifying charging and maintenance and minimising costs. The industry views it as an example showing that the solution to spreading electric motorcycles lies not in advanced technology but in less technology.

Trek launched the city e-bike 'Charter+'. It uses a Bosch motor and a Gates belt drive to reduce maintenance burdens, and it is equipped with a battery that can run 72 to 110 km. Prices start at $3,999, and it was designed as a vehicle replacement.