Last month, the US and UK military utilized battlefield robots in a breach operation at Grafenwoehr Training Area in Germany. During the combat exercise, the robots worked with US Army soldiers, Marines, Defense Department civilians, and UK troops, performing dangerous tasks such as clearing a minefield and bridging a tank trench.
During the exercise, the military used a vehicle-mounted Automated Direct and Indirect Mortar, the M58 Wolf Smoke Generator, and the ‘Terrier’ armored digger — unmanned war machines that are controlled remotely. In a report, Army Lt. Col. Jesse Curry stated that the tests provided some insights on the advantages and disadvantages of using robots in the battlefield.
“This was testing of genuine and unique technology, partnered with cutting-edge development to address a complicated problem. Being able to take soldiers out of harm’s way and accomplish the mission is a very attractive option to any commander,” Curry said.
Curry further stated that battlefield robotics is something that could be an edge for America and Britain’s armies, considering that rival nations would likely not have effective contingencies against the use of military robots.
“It’s a capability that the enemy will not know how to counteract when we implement it. This type of technology enables us to stretch further while conserving resources,”Curry added.
While the robots that were used in the US-UK exercise were noteworthy in their own right, unmanned war machines still have a long way to go. According to a report from Government CIO Media, the robots being employed by the military today, despite their steady improvement, are still more similar to Roombas than actual real-life Transformers.
In order to accelerate the evolution of battlefield robots, the US military is looking to artificial intelligence to augment the capabilities and features of its war machines. Just last January, the Army Training and Doctrine Command’s Maneuver Center of Excellence headed the launch of the Army Robotic and Autonomous System Strategy Execution Plan. In Fort Benning, GA, the Robotic Center of Innovation is utilizing robotic systems with AI and machine learning to develop systems that can aid injured human soldiers in combat zones.
Later this year, the 101st Airborne and the 10th Mountain Army divisions will incorporate smart battlefield robots into their formations as well. These robots, called the Squad Multipurpose Equipment Transport vehicles, are capable of hauling 1,000 pounds of gear across 60 miles of terrain in 72 hours.
As we noted in a previous report, US secretary of defense Michael Griffin recently stated that the Pentagon is looking to develop self-driving technology for its military vehicles. According to Griffin, AI-powered autonomous vehicles could play a valuable role in reducing casualties and injuries in combat zones, making the battlefield less risky for human soldiers. Griffin further noted that the Pentagon’s self-driving cars might be rolled out before autonomous cars can be approved to operate on public roads, considering that military-grade self-driving vehicles are not restricted by regulations that bound civilian companies such as Waymo.
News
Tesla’s little-known secret about its Diner might be the best feature of all
Tesla is not letting its servers go untipped, it’s taking care of that for its employees on its own.
Tesla’s Supercharger Diner in Los Angeles has a little-known secret, and in all honesty, it might be the best part of the entire thing.
Tesla opened its Supercharger Diner earlier in June, and in its first week of operation, it has done nothing but garner attention from fans, food critics, and general onlookers who are surprised to see the company gaining traction in the culinary space.
🚨 Awesome look at the Tesla Supercharger Diner pic.twitter.com/l5bj1kpGlo
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) July 16, 2025
However, there is a little-known secret about the Diner that many people have not shared, and it has to do with the staff and customers.
Traditionally, restaurants in the United States do not pay their servers a normal wage. They are paid a lower hourly rate because they make most of their money through tips or gratuity. While it is sort of strange and has recently become a more controversial topic, tipping culture in the U.S. has garnered plenty of attention lately.
Many people outside the U.S. have trouble grasping the idea of tipping servers, as many believe the restaurant should pay them a livable wage and stop relying on customers to keep the employees to a point where they can live reasonably well.
In the U.S., people seem to be on board with one side or the other: tip them because the restaurant doesn’t pay them a wage, or “I’m not tipping them for doing their jobs.”
Whichever side of the argument you’re on, I think it seems reasonable to want servers to make enough money to live comfortably and expect the restaurant to take care of that.
Tesla has done just that for the staff at the Supercharger Diner, as it has been revealed that the company covers tipping. There is no option to tip the servers or wait staff; Tesla will do it for you.
Best part about Tesla Diner. pic.twitter.com/cmzovkJKCu
— Jeremy Judkins (@jeremyjudkins_) July 22, 2025
This is a great gesture by Tesla because more and more people every day seem to be against tipping in an effort to force restaurants to pay employees more money. While it seems like a good strategy at first, it only impacts the servers, while this decision does not impact the restaurant and its owners.
Tesla is taking that risk out of the equation by providing gratuity to employees through its own means.
Elon Musk
xAI, Musk Foundation helps schools near Memphis supercomputer site
Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.
Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI and the Musk Foundation have been supporting Memphis-Shelby County Schools with HVAC repairs and facility upgrades, while also funding youth programs for students in the area.
Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.
xAI’s school visits lead to facility repairs
Representatives from xAI visited John P. Freeman Optional School, Fairley High School, and Westwood High School, all of which are located near its Colossus supercomputer site, to assess HVAC systems, plumbing, gym facilities, and athletic fields. The visits resulted in a list of priority repairs, some of which were completed in April and May.
In addition to the repairs, xAI also shared a number of initiatives that are planned for students in the area, as stated in a Commercial Appeal report.
“xAI is working on providing STEM workshops for local students, donating equipment to technical training programs, and supporting job fairs to boost employment opportunities. These initiatives reflect xAl’s commitment to fostering education and economic growth in Memphis,” xAI noted in a statement.
Musk Foundation donation
Apart from xAI, the Musk Foundation also donated $350,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, enabling the reopening of two club sites located at Booker T. Washington High School and Westwood High School. Both locations had closed earlier this year due to lapses in funding. As per xAI, the Musk Foundation’s donation allows clubs to reopen for almost 1,000 students.
The donation will fund staffing, supplies, and transportation, among others. “Kids are the future of humanity,” Elon Musk said in a statement, adding that students need “every chance to shoot for the stars.”
“We’re honored to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis in reopening these sites, giving kids in underserved communities the tools to build brighter futures,” Musk said.
The gift was praised by local officials, including Boys & Girls Clubs board chair Michael Garriga, who stated that the “commitment will ensure the youth of our community have the opportunities they need to develop their skills and talents to become successful students and future citizens.”
Elon Musk
What to expect from Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s new Master Plan
While Musk only shared a few tidbits about his next plan, he did hint at its theme.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk is working on another Master Plan. The executive mentioned this during the company’s second quarter earnings call earlier this week. While Musk only shared a few tidbits about his next plan, he did hint at its theme.
Master Plan Part Four
Elon Musk’s Master Plans have been a huge guiding hand for Tesla over the past couple of decades. His first Master Plan, which was published in 2006, featured a pathway towards the production of the Model 3 and energy storage systems. Master Plan, Part Deux, which was published ten years later in 2016, featured a pathway towards a Robotaxi network.
Master Plan Part 3 was more ambitious, as it presented a case towards a world where there is sustainable energy for the entire planet. Considering the scale and ambitious nature of Master Plan Part 3, it was widely speculated that Elon Musk’s next Master Plan would not be around for some time. During the second quarter earnings call, however, Musk confirmed that he is indeed creating his next big plan.
Master Plan Part 4
Elon Musk mentioned his next Master Plan when a question was asked about the work that goes on inside the Tesla Design Studio during the Q2 2025 earnings call. In response to the inquiry, Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen emphasized that while earnings calls are not the venue for disclosing new product-related information, Tesla is working to ensure that the future remains exciting. Musk agreed, stating that there are lots of exciting things happening in the Tesla Design Studio.
“What’s going to happen over the next several years is a fundamental transformation of the company from a pre-autonomy world to a post-autonomy. And I’m working on a new Master Plan to articulate that to the Tesla team. And there will be some teething pains as you transition from a pre- autonomy to post-autonomy world, but I think the future vision for Tesla is incredibly exciting and will profoundly change the world in a good way,” Musk said.
A Post-Autonomy World
Considering Musk’s comments, it would appear that Master Plan Part 4 will be focused on a path towards what the CEO has been describing as “sustainable abundance.” If Master Plan Part 3 was focused on fostering sustainable energy for the entire planet, Master Plan Part 4 will likely present a path towards abundance in a world populated by self-driving vehicles like the Cybercab and humanoid robots like Optimus.
Master Plan Part 4 will likely have been farfetched just a couple years ago. Yet with Tesla now operating its Robotaxi service in Austin and Optimus V3 expected to enter production next year, the idea of a world filled with “sustainable abundance” does seem quite feasible. It will be ambitious like Elon Musk’s other Master Plans, of course, but it will be attainable.
Tesla’s little-known secret about its Diner might be the best feature of all
xAI, Musk Foundation helps schools near Memphis supercomputer site
What to expect from Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s new Master Plan
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