Rivian autonomy & AI | Encor Series 1 | Ford & Renault EVs and CVs | Donut Lab for Watt platform | Pave BK | Anaphite LFP dry-coating

Volume 5 Issue 27

Rivian leverages vertical integration for autonomy and AI advances

At its inaugural Autonomy & AI Day in Palo Alto, the company outlined, and we cover here in depth, its roadmap for next-generation vehicle autonomy, introduced an evolved software architecture underpinned by artificial intelligence, and unveiled proprietary silicon to support the efforts.

Encor Design remasters Lotus Esprit with carbon-fiber Series 1

About 50 years after the Paris debut of the Esprit S1, the UK startup’s Series 1 is a respectful, ground-up remastering of the original, rebuilt with a carbon bodyshell, modern engineering and a renewed design philosophy, with deliveries beginning in Q2 2026 on a limited production run of 50 cars.

Ford adds Renault partnership for European passenger EVs and commercial vehicles

The companies plan to develop two Ford-branded passenger EVs based on Renault Group’s Ampere platform and are exploring commercial vehicle collaboration as Ford announces the next phase of its European strategy and calls for policymakers to align CO2 targets with market realities.

Donut Lab and Watt Electric Vehicles collaborate on lightweight, in-wheel-motor platform

To be shown at CES 2026 next month, the partners have adapted Donut Lab’s in-wheel motors and inverters with Watt’s PACES skateboard platform for independent control via software-defined driving dynamics, enabling quick development of varied vehicle applications.

Pave Motors updates BK electric motorbike

The company announced expanded customization options, including a 16-color palette and a new starting price of $4995 with new financing options, to go with the recently rolled-out set of updates focused on reliability and everyday usability.

Anaphite gets Innovate UK funding boost to develop LFP battery dry-coating tech

The £1.4 million investment round will enable the battery startup to apply its dry-coating technology, already proven on NMC cathodes, to solve the complex challenges of dry-coating LFP cathodes and graphite anodes and offer a cleaner, more efficient alternative, with lower energy usage.