Transportation Archive

The concept version of the three-row Ioniq 9, which is coming to the annual SEMA show next week, has a lifted suspension, auxiliary lighting, and unique wheels paired with aggressive all-terrain tires. It was co-designed by Jeremiah Burton and Zach Jobe, who left Donut Media last year to form their own YouTube channel, BigTime. Burton said he was “stoked” to work with Hyundai on the revamped Ioniq 9. “EVs have come a long way, so getting a chance to put our own spin on an off-road-themed Ioniq 9 is pretty cool,” he added.

Waymo said it would make a donation to a local animal rights group after one of its robotaxis killed a beloved bodega cat named KitKat, KRON4 reports. According to Waymo, the cat darted under the vehicle while it was pulling away from picking up a passenger. But according to a 311 complain, the robotaxi did not slow down, swerve, or attempt to avoid the cat. This isn’t the first furry friend to perish under a Waymo — a small dog was killed in 2023. (Waymo said the collision was unavoidable.)

Just like MKBHD in September, the OpenAI CEO has now canceled his Roadster preorder — or tried to, at least, given his email request bounced back. Altman said he understands delays, “but 7.5 years has felt like a long time to wait.” Using it to advance his feud with Elon Musk was probably a bonus.

Former Real World cast member and current Transportation Secretary / acting NASA administrator Sean Duffy recently said SpaceX was “behind” on its contract for Artemis III and proposed reopening it. (Elon Musk responded with a predictable slew of insults.)

This one seems pretty minor, all things considered. It’s for a possible issue with the installation of an off-road light bar accessory that could detach while driving. But it’s notable given that the truck has already racked up a whopping 10 recalls in just two years on the road. Most have been related to poor build quality, which could also be a factor in the truck’s dismal sales record.

Toyota unveiled a concept version of its frumpy, best-selling sedan at the Tokyo auto show this week. The concept was, dare I say, sharp as hell? Practically makes you want to slowly lower your sunglasses and let out an appreciative whistle.

The automaker is citing an expected slowdown in electric vehicle sales, brought on by the expiration of the $7,500 EV tax credit. GM is also temporarily 850 workers from its Ultium Cells battery cell plant in Ohio, and 750 employees at the Ultium Cells’ Tennessee plant.

That’s the name the British public selected for a new leaf-kicking train rolling out next week. It will blast high-pressure water to remove leaves from tracks, a much bigger problem than it sounds like.

Android Authority has done its usual digging around and discovered code for home screen widgets in Android Auto. They’re clearly still a work-in-progress, but should eventually let you run one widget at a time on the left third of the screen.

GM destroyed most of the original EV1s, as documented by the documentary Who Killed the Electric Car? But a few remain, mostly in museum or university collections. The Autopian recently discovered one of the original OG electric vehicles in auction in Atlanta, and before you know, CarTube creators descended, bidding up the price to over $100,000. This for a non-running relic of an EV! We’ll keep our eye out for the inevitable YouTube video.