Uber will bring its premium robotaxi service to Houston in 2027

techcrunch.com Jun 17, 2026

Uber will bring its premium robotaxi service to Houston in 2027

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Jun 17, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Uber plans to launch a premium robotaxi service in Houston by mid-2027, marking the second U.S. market under its partnership with EV maker Lucid and autonomous vehicle startup Nuro. The service will eventually expand to "dozens of cities" in the coming years, with Uber going head-to-head with rival Waymo in San Francisco and Houston. The robotaxi program will feature Lucid Gravity SUVs equipped with Nuro's self-driving system, with a combined engineering fleet of 100 autonomous vehicles testing on public roads in Houston.

💡 Why It Matters

· The robotaxi deal is a significant boost to Nuro, a buzzy autonomous vehicle startup that pivoted away from building its own delivery robots in 2024.
· The partnership also helps Lucid, an EV maker struggling to sell its vehicles at scale, and underscores Uber's commitment to investing in autonomous technology.

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Mobee expands fleet and simplifies pricing in Monaco

Mobee, an electric car-sharing scheme in Monaco, is expanding its fleet and simplifying its pricing structure. The service, operated by Smeg group, will add 20 Fiat Topolino vehicles to its lineup this summer, joining 20 Renault Twizy models already on the road. Mobee will offer two categories of vehicles: city cars and touring vehicles, with pricing organized around these categories. This change aims to make shared mobility simpler and more accessible to users.

💡 Simplified pricing could increase Mobee's appeal to budget-conscious users, potentially shifting the balance of the electric car-sharing market in Monaco. By offering premium vehicles at a single rate, Mobee may attract more customers who previously opted for cheaper options.

autonews.gasgoo.com · Jun 18

Gasgoo Daily: BYD delivers 100,000 new energy vehicles in the UK, expands…

BYD has delivered its 100,000th new energy vehicle in the UK market, achieving a 5% share of the overall UK automotive market in approximately three years. The company has also accelerated the deployment of charging infrastructure, with its first Super Charging Station in Uxbridge, West London, now operational. BYD aims to build 300 Super Charging Stations across the UK by the end of 2026, covering major cities and transportation corridors. The company's performance has placed it first in the UK's electric vehicle sales rankings, ahead of brands including BMW and Tesla.

💡 BYD's rapid growth in the UK market highlights the increasing demand for new energy vehicles and the need for expanded charging infrastructure to support this shift. The company's success in securing a significant market share in a short period demonstrates its competitiveness in the global electric vehicle market.

teslarati.com · Jun 18

Tesla Full Self-Driving and App Connectivity save life in medical emergency

A Tesla Model Y equipped with Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised technology helped save the life of its driver, John Brandt, during a severe heart attack on November 15, 2025. Brandt, 55, was driving on Interstate 20 when he experienced chest pain and called his son, Jack, who remotely rerouted the vehicle to the nearest hospital using the Tesla app. The car responded immediately, navigating to the emergency room entrance. John received life-saving treatment and is now recovering fully.

💡 This incident highlights the potential for advanced vehicle technology to bridge gaps in critical moments, turning cars into proactive partners in health crises. By integrating AI-assisted driving with seamless app control, Tesla's connected ecosystem has shown that it can be a valuable tool in emergency situations, prioritizing human life and redefining personal safety on the road.

cleantechnica.com · Jun 18

Toyota Rav4 Plug-in Hybrid vs. Tesla Model Y Basic

A comparison was made between the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid and the 2026 Tesla Model Y Basic. The RAV4's plug-in hybrid technology allows for a range of over 500 miles combined electric and gas, making it more suitable for long trips to remote areas. In contrast, the Tesla Model Y relies on its electric range, which can be a challenge in remote areas. The RAV4 also offers faster gas fill-ups and level 2 charging capabilities.

💡 The RAV4's plug-in hybrid technology may appeal to environmentally conscious consumers who prioritize convenience and range over pure electric range. This could shift the market dynamics in favor of plug-in hybrids, offering consumers a more practical alternative to battery-electric vehicles.

cleantechnica.com · Jun 17

UK Plans To Roll Back EV Mandate

The UK government plans to roll back its electric vehicle (EV) mandate, which currently requires 80% of new passenger vehicles sold in the country to be battery electric by 2030. The move follows a consultation on the 2030 target, which could see the percentage reduced to between 50 and 70%. Automakers and trade unions have been lobbying to water down the mandate, citing concerns about costs and job losses, but industry sources argue that the concerns are driven by the reluctance of drivers to buy EVs due to range and charging point worries.

💡 Weakening the EV mandate could undermine investor confidence in the UK's charging infrastructure, potentially slowing the rollout of more charging points. This hesitation could also undermine the credibility of government commitments, making it harder to attract private capital to support the transition to electric vehicles.

spacenews.com · Jun 17

Dawn Aerospace raises $25 million

Dawn Aerospace has secured $25 million in funding to scale up its work in in-space transportation and suborbital spaceplanes. The company, valued at $196 million, plans to use the funding for a global rollout of its services, establishing teams in the United States and Europe. Dawn currently sells thrusters for spacecraft and has grown its annual revenue from $3 million in 2022 to $15 million, with the company now cash-flow positive. The company is developing an in-space refueling system and a suborbital spaceplane, with plans for commercial refueling services in 2029.

💡 This investment will accelerate Dawn Aerospace's growth in emerging markets, including hypersonics testing and in-space mobility. By delivering reusable, responsive access across the air and space domain, Dawn can unlock the economic potential of space and solve critical national security challenges.