Honda just premiered two CRAZY electric vehicle designs at this year’s CES event in Las Vegas, and has plans to bring them to market with a launch in 2026.
Honda’s Saloon and Space-Hub vehicles are the first pieces of a wider introduction of the Honda 0 Series, which is based on the Saloon concept in North America. It will present these vehicles in Japan, Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and South America, as well.
Saloon
Saloon is being labeled as the “flagship model” of the Honda 0 Series, and will sit on a dedicated EV platform. We’ve seen a lot of other automakers do this, and a good example of it is General Motors with the Ultium platform.
Honda’s Saloon delivers on the M/M, which stands for man maximum/machine minimum, a packaging concept that has a low and wide exterior and a spacious interior. This makes for more room for passengers while also eliminating difficult driving conditions that can come with larger cars.
It also features “excellent visibility and a sporty driving position” for a unique and one-of-a-kind experience.
It also will equip steer-by-wire, a popular technology feature of several new vehicles, including the Tesla Cybertruck. It is expected to hit the North American market in 2026.
Space Hub
The Space-Hub is much lighter on details, but it was developed under the theme that Honda calls “augmenting people’s daily lives.”
Honda describes the vehicle briefly:
“Realizing a spacious cabin and excellent visibility based on the “Thin, Light, and Wise” development approach, the Space-Hub offers a flexible space that immediately accommodates a variety of passengers and becomes a “hub” that connects people to each other and the outside world.”
Honda ‘H’ Badge
Honda has used the H badge since its launch in 1981. However, its next generation of EVs will feature a new “H” mark, which will “express the company’s determination to undergo a historic transformation as well as the ability to constantly pursue new challenges and advancements.”
All 0 Series EVs from Honda will be equipped with the new H badge.
Honda 0 Series Technology
Honda is bringing a lot of fresh ideas to the 0 Series lineup, one of which is to outline the entire family of vehicles by three core principles: Thin, Light, and Wise.
The company also wants to introduce new advancements in design, automated driving, connected technologies, performance, and battery efficiency.
–Artistic Design refers to the philosophy called “The Art of Resonance,” which brings together the environment, society, and users in harmony.
–ADAS and Automated Driving Features will be added to vehicles in the Honda 0 Series. This will start with ADAS, which the company first introduced in the Japan release of the Honda Legend. During the second half of the 2020s, Honda 0 Series models will have automated driving features, including wider-scale systems.
–Connected Technologies will help the cars learn the tendencies, behaviors, and preferences of a driver. They will also enhance the ownership experience.
-Enhanced Aerodynamic Performance will be one of the main focuses of the 0 Series, especially as Honda has years of motorsport experience.
-New Level of Battery Efficiency helps with a seamless transition to EVs for customers. Honda is planning to offer stress-free charging with the 0 Series, shortening charging time and leveraging new technology to minimize battery degradation.
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Elon Musk
Microsoft partners with Starlink to expand rural internet access worldwide
The update was shared ahead of Mobile World Congress.
Microsoft has announced a new collaboration with Starlink as part of its expanding digital access strategy, following the company’s claim that it has extended internet connectivity coverage to more than 299 million people worldwide.
The update was shared ahead of Mobile World Congress, where Microsoft detailed how it surpassed its original goal of bringing internet access to 250 million people by the end of 2025.
In a blog post, Microsoft confirmed that it is now working with Starlink to expand connectivity in rural and hard-to-reach regions.
“Through our collaboration with Starlink, Microsoft is combining low-Earth orbit satellite connectivity with community-based deployment models and local ecosystem partnerships,” the company wrote.
The partnership is designed to complement Microsoft’s existing work with local internet providers and infrastructure companies across Africa, Latin America, and India, among other areas. Microsoft noted that traditional infrastructure alone cannot meet demand in some regions, making low-Earth orbit satellite connectivity an important addition.
Kenya was cited as an early example. Working with Starlink and local provider Mawingu Networks, Microsoft is supporting connectivity for 450 community hubs in rural and underserved areas. These hubs include farmer cooperatives, aggregation centers, and digital access facilities intended to support agricultural productivity and AI-enabled services.
Microsoft stated that 2.2 billion people globally remain offline, and that connectivity gaps risk widening as AI adoption accelerates.
Starlink’s expanding constellation, now numbering more than 9,700 satellites in orbit, provides near-global coverage, making it one of the few systems capable of delivering broadband to remote regions without relying on terrestrial infrastructure.
Starlink is expected to grow even more in the coming years as well, especially as SpaceX transitions its fleet to Starship, which is capable of carrying significantly larger payloads compared to its current workhorse, the Falcon 9.
Elon Musk
Tesla expands US LFP battery supply with LG Energy Solution deal: report
The report was initially published by TheElec, citing industry sources.
LG Energy Solution (LGES) will manufacture lithium iron phosphate (LFP) energy storage system (ESS) batteries for Tesla at its Lansing, Michigan facility.
The report was initially published by TheElec, citing industry sources.
LG Energy Solution’s Lansing plant, formerly known as Ultium Cells 3, was previously operated as a joint venture with General Motors. LGES acquired GM’s stake in May 2025 and now fully owns the site. With a production capacity of 50 GWh per year, it is one of the company’s largest facilities in North America.
LG Energy Solution is converting part of the Lansing factory to produce LFP batteries for energy storage systems. Equipment orders for the new lines have already been placed, and mass production is reportedly expected to begin in the second half of next year.
Last July, LG Energy Solution disclosed a 5.94 trillion won battery supply agreement running from August 2027 to July 2030. While the company did not name the customer, industry sources pointed to Tesla as the buyer.
Tesla has primarily used CATL’s prismatic batteries for its Megapack systems. The move to source prismatic LFP cells from LG Energy Solution’s U.S. plant could then be seen as part of Tesla’s efforts to bolster its North American supply base for its energy storage business.
For the Lansing conversion, LG Energy Solution reportedly plans to use electrode equipment originally ordered under its Ultium Cells venture with General Motors. Suppliers reportedly include CIS and Hirano Tecseed for electrode systems, TSI for mixing equipment, CK Solution for heat exhaust systems, A-Pro for formation equipment, and Shinjin Mtech for assembly kits.
Tesla currently manufactures energy storage products at facilities in California and Shanghai, though another Megafactory that produces the Megapack is also expected to be built in Texas. As per recent reports, the Texas Megafactory recently advanced with a major property sale.
News
Tesla begins Grok AI chatbot rollout to Australia and New Zealand fleet
The update follows earlier deployments in the United States and Europe.
Tesla has rolled out its Grok AI assistant to Australia and New Zealand, embedding the conversational chatbot directly into compatible vehicles via an over-the-air update.
The system, developed by Elon Musk’s xAI, is now live on select models, giving drivers access to a voice-based assistant that goes well beyond traditional command-driven controls.
The update follows earlier deployments in the United States and Europe.
Tesla Australia confirmed Grok is available on Model S, Model 3, Model X and Model Y vehicles equipped with an AMD processor and running software version 2025.26 or later.
“Grok is coming to Teslas in Australia and New Zealand. It can answer almost any question using real-time information & also add/edit navigation destinations to become your personal guide. Phased rollout has now begun to eligible vehicles,” Tesla Australia and New Zealand wrote in a post on its official X account.
Drivers can activate Grok using the steering wheel controls once the update is installed. Access requires either a Premium Connectivity subscription or a stable Wi-Fi connection.
Unlike conventional in-car voice assistants that rely on fixed prompts, Grok is designed to respond conversationally. It can adjust navigation mid-trip, locate nearby points of interest, explain dashboard warnings, provide driving guidance and reference the owner’s manual.
Tesla noted that interactions with Grok are processed by xAI and remain anonymous to Tesla, adding that conversations are not linked to a specific driver or vehicle.
Grok has attracted attention overseas for offering multiple interaction modes. In the U.S., users can select personalities such as Assistant, Language Tutor, Therapist, Storyteller and Meditation. Additional optional modes for adult users include settings labeled Unhinged, Motivation, Argumentative, Romantic and even Sexy.
Viral clips shared online have shown Grok adopting sarcastic or playful tones that differ from more neutral digital assistants, with the AI assistant typically catching drivers off-guard with its sharp personality and wit.
Microsoft partners with Starlink to expand rural internet access worldwide
Tesla expands US LFP battery supply with LG Energy Solution deal: report
