Recent developments indicate the discontinuation of Tesla's ambitious Dojo supercomputer project, a move confirmed by CEO Elon Musk. His rationale for this decision, however, has ignited considerable debate. Musk asserts that the advancements in Tesla's new AI6 chip, designed for in-vehicle inference processing, were so significant that they rendered the Dojo initiative, focused on training compute, redundant. This narrative suggests a strategic pivot based on technological superiority, leading to the reorganization of personnel involved in the project. Yet, this explanation faces scrutiny from various quarters, especially given previous reports of key team members departing the Dojo unit, raising questions about the true underlying reasons for the project's cessation.
The saga surrounding Tesla's Dojo supercomputer began with high expectations. For several years, Musk championed Dojo as a groundbreaking platform, confidently stating that Tesla possessed the world's leading chip design team. He envisioned Dojo as a system capable of outperforming solutions offered by major players like NVIDIA, which currently supplies Tesla with crucial training compute resources. This bold vision was underscored by Musk's public comments, including a statement just a month prior to the recent revelations, where he expressed optimism for 'Dojo 2' and even greater anticipation for 'Dojo 3'. Such pronouncements painted a picture of a robust, forward-moving project integral to Tesla's autonomous driving ambitions.
However, a Bloomberg report last week unveiled a different reality, suggesting that Tesla had ceased the Dojo program following the departure of 20 team members who subsequently joined a new startup, DensityAI. This report directly contradicted the prevailing perception of Dojo's progression. When confronted with these claims, Musk did not outright deny the shutdown but offered an alternative perspective. He claimed that the emergence of the AI6 chip made it clear that "all paths converged to AI6," effectively rendering Dojo 2 an "evolutionary dead end." He further suggested that elements of Dojo 3 might persist in the form of multiple AI6 SoCs integrated onto a single board.
The credibility of Musk's revised narrative has been met with skepticism. A central point of contention involves Peter Bannon, the chief chip architect responsible for both training compute (Dojo) and inference compute (AI6) at Tesla. Reports indicate Bannon's departure amidst the talent exodus to DensityAI. If Bannon was indeed part of the "tough personnel choices" Musk alluded to, it would appear illogical to dismiss an architect responsible for the supposedly superior AI6 chip. This incongruity lends weight to the Bloomberg report's assertion that the departure of critical Dojo team members significantly weakened the program, making its discontinuation a more plausible outcome, particularly in the face of intense competition from established industry leaders like NVIDIA.
Furthermore, experts question the fundamental logic of utilizing the same chips for both training and inference computing. While not entirely impossible, it is generally considered suboptimal due to differing technical requirements. Training computation typically demands high numerical precision, whereas inference requires low latency and high throughput per watt, particularly crucial for energy-constrained electric vehicles. Although energy efficiency is also important for training, its criticality is amplified for in-vehicle inference. This technical discrepancy casts further doubt on the idea that AI6's capabilities alone necessitated Dojo's abandonment. Ultimately, many observers view Musk's explanation as a strategic maneuver to control the narrative, attempting to reframe a significant talent drain and a project setback into a story of strategic technological advancement.
In sum, the abrupt conclusion of Tesla's Dojo supercomputer initiative, as confirmed by Elon Musk, marks a notable shift in the company's hardware strategy. While Musk points to the superior performance of the new AI6 inference chip as the decisive factor, leading to the project's termination and a restructuring of personnel, this justification has not escaped criticism. The concurrent departure of key technical staff, as reported by other media outlets, suggests a more complex scenario involving talent retention challenges and competitive pressures within the high-performance computing sector. This situation underscores the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of advanced technological development and corporate decision-making in rapidly evolving industries.
Lucid Motors is on the cusp of introducing an innovative electric vehicle, hinted at as a \"bold new concept for electric exploration,\" with its debut scheduled for this Thursday. The company, already recognized for its highly efficient and luxurious EVs like the Lucid Air sedan and the recently launched Gravity, is now venturing into new territory. The Lucid Air has notably performed well, leading luxury EV sedan sales in the US for the first half of the year, with production anticipated to ramp up significantly soon. This new announcement signals Lucid's strategic move to broaden its product portfolio and solidify its presence in the competitive electric vehicle market.
While official information about the new concept remains scarce, tantalizing glimpses from teasers reveal intriguing features. A prominent detail is a roof-mounted light, suggesting an emphasis on utility and adventure. The concept also appears to sport rugged, blacked-out wheels and other elements indicative of off-road capabilities. These clues strongly suggest that the upcoming reveal could be an adventurous, off-road focused iteration of the Lucid Gravity SUV, potentially akin to Rivian's specialized 'California Dune Edition' trims, which are known for their enhanced off-road performance and unique aesthetic modifications. Such a variant would differentiate Lucid in the luxury EV segment, offering robust exploration capabilities alongside its signature efficiency and opulence.
The highly anticipated unveiling is set to take place at Monterey Car Week on August 14th, where Lucid will officially pull back the curtain on this mysterious new model. This event is a prime stage for showcasing automotive innovation, and Lucid's choice to reveal its concept there underscores its significance. The introduction of this "bold new concept" could mark a pivotal moment for Lucid, potentially expanding its market appeal beyond conventional luxury vehicles into the burgeoning segment of adventure-ready electric transport, thereby reinforcing its commitment to diverse and cutting-edge EV solutions.
The future of electric mobility is bright, and companies like Lucid are pushing the boundaries of what's possible, not just in terms of luxury and efficiency, but also in broadening the applications of electric vehicles. This dedication to innovation, extending into areas like rugged exploration, demonstrates a proactive vision for a sustainable and adventurous future. By continually developing advanced and versatile electric models, manufacturers contribute to a cleaner environment while simultaneously opening up new horizons for how we experience and interact with the world through transportation.
A groundbreaking vehicle-to-grid (V2G) electric school bus initiative has commenced operations in California, spearheaded by a collaborative effort between Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), the Fremont Unified School District (FUSD), and The Mobility House. This pioneering fleet is poised to deliver not only environmentally friendly transport for pupils but also a valuable supplementary power source for the regional electricity network. This development signifies a notable stride towards resilient energy infrastructure and sustainable mobility solutions.
The Fremont Unified School District's electric bus fleet now boasts 14 vehicles, comprising four Thomas Built and ten Blue Bird models, supported by 22 charging stations. Among these, six are high-power bidirectional V2G DC fast chargers, enabling the buses to both draw and supply power. Two additional high-power unidirectional chargers are slated for installation in 2026. This expansion facilitates the replacement of six diesel-powered buses, with four electric counterparts entering service this year and two more scheduled for 2026.
This endeavor is a component of the California Energy Commission-funded Replicable Vehicle-to-X Deployment Study (RVXDS), with The Mobility House at the helm. Their proprietary ChargePilot platform is instrumental in regulating the charging and discharging cycles of these buses, effectively transforming them into mobile energy reserves. These 'mobile batteries' are capable of injecting power back into the grid during periods of peak demand, enhancing grid stability and reliability. Gregor Hintler, CEO North America of The Mobility House, emphasized the immense potential of electric school buses, given their substantial battery capacities and predictable operational schedules, to bolster the electric grid through V2G technology.
Beyond supporting the grid during high demand, the ChargePilot system also empowers FUSD to participate in PG&E’s Emergency Load Reduction Program (ELRP). This program allows the district to respond to OpenADR signals, dispatching stored energy from the bus batteries back to the grid when the electrical system experiences stress. To accommodate this advanced system, PG&E undertook significant infrastructure upgrades, including a new 480-volt 3-phase service entrance, a 750kVA transformer, and a 2,500-amp switchgear designed to support future charging expansions. The utility also streamlined the process by fast-tracking the service upgrade and connecting the site under Rule 21, which permits energy exports and generates additional revenue for the school district.
This initiative represents the second school district to join PG&E’s commercial fleet Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) pilot program, following a successful deployment in 2024 with Zum and Oakland Unified. FUSD has been actively engaged in PG&E’s EV Fleet program since 2019, which has provided incentives for 17 school buses and 13 medium-duty electric vehicles, demonstrating a sustained commitment to fleet electrification. Ernest Epley, FUSD’s director of transportation, highlighted the dual benefits of these electric buses: cleaner air for the community and the novel ability to supply clean, dependable energy to the grid.
The integration of V2G technology in school bus fleets marks a significant advancement in both clean transportation and energy management. These initiatives underscore a broader trend towards leveraging electric vehicles not just for mobility, but as dynamic assets within a smarter, more resilient energy grid. Such projects pave the way for a future where transportation infrastructure plays a proactive role in supporting energy demands and promoting environmental sustainability.