SpaceX Shifts Focus to Moon City, Elon Musk Confirms

SpaceX is prioritising the construction of a "self-growing city" on the moon, a goal Chief Executive Elon Musk stated could be achieved in less than 10 years. Musk stated that 'securing the future of civilisation' remains his top priority, noting the moon offers a faster route to this objective.

Credit: SPACEX

Musk added that "securing the future of civilisation" remains his top priority, noting the moon offers a faster route to this objective. SpaceX also aims to build a city on Mars, with work expected to begin in approximately five to seven years.

A Wall Street Journal report indicated SpaceX had informed investors of its intention to focus on the moon first, followed by Mars. The report specified a target of Mar. 2027 for an uncrewed lunar landing.

Credit: TESLA

Last year, Musk had aimed for an uncrewed mission to Mars by the end of 2026. The United States faces significant competition from China in its ambition to return astronauts to the moon.

No humans have visited the moon since the final US Apollo mission in 1972. Musk's comments follow SpaceX's agreement to acquire the artificial intelligence outfit xAI.

The transaction values SpaceX at USD 1 trillion, and xAI at USD 250 billion.

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• SpaceX is now prioritising the development of a "self-growing city" on the moon.

• Chief Executive Elon Musk believes this lunar city could be established within a decade.

• SpaceX also plans to begin building a Mars city in the next five to seven years.

Source: REUTERS

AutoFlight Launches the World's Largest Flying Car as China Aims for Low-Altitude Dominance

Chinese aviation start-up AutoFlight, supported by the electric vehicle battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology, is at the forefront of mainland China's ambitions in the flying car sector, which is part of a broader initiative to dominate the low-altitude economy. The Shanghai-based company recently introduced the Matrix, a five-tonne class electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, which it claims is the largest of its kind globally. This announcement followed a successful flight demonstration at a testing facility in Kunshan, a city adjacent to Shanghai.

AutoFlight's 5 ton eVTOL Matrix

The Matrix boasts a wingspan of 20 metres and measures 17.1 metres in length and 3.3 metres in height. It is available in two variants designed for passenger transport and heavy-duty logistics, capable of accommodating up to 10 passengers. This represents a significant advancement for an industry that has primarily focused on smaller airframes weighing between 1.5 tonnes and 3 tonnes, typically designed for four to six passengers.

AutoFlight is joining a competitive field that includes notable players such as Ehang, Xpeng's flying car division Aridge, and Geely's Aerofugia, all of which are vying for a share of the commercial eVTOL market. The Chinese government is moving swiftly to establish regulations for domestic manufacturers and operators, aiming to create a structured environment as the low-altitude economy begins to take shape.

Recently, ten government departments, including the market regulator and the transport ministry, collaborated to release guidelines aimed at establishing fundamental standards by 2027, with a target of over 300 standards by 2030. These regulations will encompass five key areas: aircraft specifications, infrastructure requirements, air traffic management, safety oversight, and various application scenarios.

Founded in 2017, AutoFlight initially concentrated on cargo transport but has identified substantial potential in the passenger flight sector, as noted by Xie Jia, the senior vice-president of AutoFlight, during an interview. The company's strategic pivot towards passenger aircraft is evident, with this segment accounting for 70 per cent of its total orders. This shift reflects a growing confidence in the viability of eVTOL technology for personal and commercial use, as well as a response to increasing demand for innovative transport solutions.

• AutoFlight has unveiled the Matrix, the world's largest eVTOL aircraft, aimed at revolutionising urban mobility.

• The Matrix can carry up to 10 passengers, marking a significant advancement in the eVTOL industry.

• China is establishing regulations for eVTOL manufacturers and operators to support the growth of the low-altitude economy.

• AutoFlight's focus is shifting towards passenger transport, with 70% of its orders coming from this sector.

Tesla Unveils AI Training Centre in China to Boost Self-Driving Technology

Tesla has commenced operations at a new artificial intelligence training centre in China, aimed at enhancing its vehicles' self-driving capabilities in the world's largest electric vehicle market. This initiative follows recent regulatory changes in Beijing that have facilitated advancements in autonomous driving technology. Grace Tao, Tesla's vice-president, shared insights with a Shanghai-based financial news outlet, stating that the centre possesses ample computing power to support the development of assisted-driving features. However, she refrained from disclosing specific details regarding the centre's location or the scale of investment involved.

Artwork of Tesla Model Y In front of China's Flag

The establishment of this centre represents a pivotal move towards the commercialisation of Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) navigation software in mainland China. The competitive landscape is intensifying, as numerous domestic electric vehicle manufacturers are rapidly advancing their own level 3 autonomous driving capabilities. Yin Ran, an angel investor based in Shanghai, remarked that the growing rivalry between Tesla and local competitors will ultimately benefit Chinese consumers interested in autonomous driving. With thousands of level 3 vehicles expected to be operational on Chinese roads in the near future, a new competitive dynamic is anticipated as electric car manufacturers strive to deliver efficient and cost-effective self-driving systems.

Tesla's FSD technology is underpinned by a neural network that is trained using video footage from real-world driving scenarios, enabling the vehicles to make decisions akin to those of human drivers. David Zhang, secretary general of the International Intelligent Vehicle Engineering Association, has noted that Tesla's system is regarded as a global leader in this field.

Despite its advancements, Tesla faces significant challenges in China. The company is restricted from transferring data collected from Chinese streets back to the United States, while US regulations prevent it from training its AI software within China. These constraints pose hurdles for Tesla as it seeks to enhance its self-driving technology in a market that is becoming increasingly competitive.

As the race for autonomous driving technology heats up, Tesla's new AI training centre is poised to play a crucial role in the company's efforts to maintain its leadership position in the electric vehicle sector. The implications of this development extend beyond Tesla, as it signals a broader shift in the automotive industry towards more sophisticated and autonomous driving solutions.

• Tesla has launched an AI training centre in China to enhance self-driving capabilities.

• The centre aims to support the development of Full Self-Driving software in a competitive market.

• Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers are rapidly advancing their own autonomous driving technologies.

• Tesla faces regulatory challenges regarding data transfer and AI training in China.