AD #4333 - Zoox Getting New Robotaxi Models; U.S. Traffic Deaths Down, But Why?; BYD Yangwang U9 Aims for 500 KM/H
About this episode
Zoox’s robotaxi roadmap is getting clearer: Zekes will keep building its current model in Haywood, California until June 2030, then roll out a new version and begin manufacturing a two-door robotaxi to take on Tesla’s Cybercab. The show also flags EU anti-dumping duties on Chinese tires and notes the U.S. traffic fatality rate is at its lowest since 2014—though the reasons for the swings remain unclear. BYD’s Yangwang U9 targets another speed run toward 500 km/h.
Zoox
"It says Zekes, which is owned by Amazon, will continue to build its current robotaxi at its plant in Haywood, California until June of twenty thirty, which is when it will come out with a new version."
Zoox is Amazon’s self-driving taxi company. They build robotaxis—cars that are meant to drive themselves—so the goal is to offer ride-hailing without a human driver.
Zoox is Amazon’s robotaxi company, building self-driving vehicles intended for ride-hailing without a human driver. In this segment, they’re described as updating their robotaxi models and expanding production at their California plant.
Tesla Cybercab
"It's also going to start manufacturing what AFS calls a two door Robotaxi at that time, which tells us Zekes is going to go head to head against the Tesla cybercab."
Tesla’s Cybercab is Tesla’s idea for a self-driving taxi. The point here is that multiple companies are racing to build robotaxis that can carry passengers without a human driver.
Tesla’s “Cybercab” is a planned robotaxi concept aimed at autonomous ride-hailing. The segment frames Zoox’s new two-door robotaxi as competing directly with Tesla’s approach to driverless taxis.
power electronics
"Instead relying on power electronics and software to generate its magnetic field."
Power electronics are the electronic “power controllers” that shape electricity so the motor can use it correctly. Here, the idea is that smarter electronics can replace the magnets that normally create the magnetic field.
Power electronics are the electronic components and control systems that convert and manage electrical power—such as turning battery DC into the right form for motor operation. In this segment, they’re presented as a way to generate the motor’s magnetic field without rare earth magnets.
brushless motors
"A startup out of India's claiming to have made a breakthrough in electric motors by mag Labs, is developing a brushless motor that doesn't you use any rare earth magnets..."
A brushless motor is an electric motor that doesn’t use worn-out “brushes” to transfer power. It’s controlled electronically, which helps it run more efficiently and last longer.
A brushless motor is an electric motor that uses electronic control instead of physical brushes to switch current through the windings. That typically improves efficiency, reduces wear, and enables precise control—important for EVs and other electrified drivetrains.
rare earth magnets
"It's also going to start manufacturing what AFS calls a two door Robotaxi at that time... A startup out of India's claiming to have made a breakthrough in electric motors by mag Labs, is developing a brushless motor that doesn't you use any rare earth magnets..."
Rare earth magnets are special magnets used in many electric motors because they’re very strong. This matters because the materials can be expensive or hard to source, so some companies want motors that don’t rely on them.
Rare earth magnets are high-performance permanent magnets (often made with neodymium or similar materials) used in many electric motors to create strong magnetic fields. The segment highlights a motor design that avoids them to reduce dependence on supply-constrained materials.
anti dumping duties
"the EU just slapped new anti dumping duties on Chinese tires that range from four point three to forty five point three percent, depending on the manufacturer."
Anti-dumping duties are extra taxes on imported products when regulators think they’re priced unfairly low. The goal is to protect local companies from being undercut by cheaper imports.
Anti-dumping duties are import tariffs imposed when authorities determine foreign goods are being sold below fair value, harming domestic producers. The segment says the EU applied new anti-dumping duties on Chinese tires, with rates varying by manufacturer.
BYD Shark
"BYD decided that it can move upscale with its Shark pickup truck. The truck is currently only sold overseas..."
The BYD Shark is BYD’s pickup truck. In this update, it’s described as a range-extended vehicle that uses a battery plus motors, with an engine involved too, so it can go farther than a pure battery-only truck.
The BYD Shark is a pickup truck positioned as a higher-end model, and this segment focuses on its electrified powertrain. It’s described as a range-extended setup with both an engine and electric motors, plus an LFP battery pack.
Fang Cheng Bao
"but in China the Shark will be sold through its premium Feng cheng Bao brand."
Feng cheng Bao is BYD’s “premium” brand label inside China. The same truck (Shark) gets sold under that nicer-sounding brand instead of just the BYD logo.
Feng cheng Bao is BYD’s premium sub-brand used to market certain vehicles in China. The segment says the Shark pickup will be sold domestically under this brand name.
range extended pickup truck
"The range extended pickup features of one and a half liter engine, front rear motors and an LFP battery pack."
A range-extended pickup is basically an EV that can go farther because it has a backup power source. Instead of relying only on the battery, it can use an engine to help keep the battery charged and extend range.
A range-extended pickup is an electrified vehicle where the battery and electric motors provide propulsion, but an additional power source (often an engine) helps extend driving range. The segment describes the Shark as using a 1.5-liter engine alongside front and rear motors.
LFP battery pack
"The range extended pickup features of one and a half liter engine, front rear motors and an LFP battery pack."
An LFP battery pack is a type of EV battery. It’s generally considered safer and long-lasting, and here it’s the battery BYD plans to put in the Shark pickup.
An LFP battery pack uses lithium iron phosphate chemistry, which is known for good thermal stability and long cycle life compared with some other lithium chemistries. The segment notes the BYD Shark will use an LFP pack as part of its range-extended system.
BYD yang wang U nine Extreme
"Speaking of BYD, it has the fastest production car in the world. Its yang wang U nine Extreme officially topped out just over four hundred and ninety six kilometers an hour or about three hundred and eight miles an hour."
This is BYD’s Yangwang U9 Extreme, an electric car built specifically to try to set a top-speed record. The episode says it already hit a little over 496 km/h and BYD wants to go past 500 km/h.
The BYD Yangwang U9 Extreme is a record-attempt electric supercar from BYD, built to chase very high top-speed numbers. In this segment, the hosts cite its official top speed of just over 496 km/h and discuss a planned push toward the 500 km/h mark.
Yangwang Yang Wang U
"... has the fastest production car in the world. Its yang wang U nine Extreme officially topped out just over four..."
The Yangwang U7 is an electric car (it runs on electricity instead of gasoline). It’s built to be fast and is part of a brand that focuses on high-performance EVs. That’s why it’s mentioned when people talk about top-speed or record attempts.
The Yangwang U7 is a high-performance electric sedan from BYD’s premium brand, Yangwang. It’s discussed in the context of record-setting speed claims, which is why it comes up alongside other Yangwang U models. The U7 matters because it represents the brand’s push to combine performance with modern EV technology.
arrow elements
"While the cars nearly three thousand horse power and massive arrow elements are key to setting a new record, the biggest limiting factor will be finding tires that are capable of going those kinds of speeds."
This likely means aerodynamic parts like wings or spoilers. They help keep the car stable at very high speed by pushing it down onto the road.
“Arrow elements” appears to refer to aerodynamic aero devices (like wings or spoilers) that generate downforce at speed. At extreme top speeds, aero balance and downforce help stability and traction, which is why they’re mentioned alongside power and tires.
Bosh
"Three years ago, Bosh bought a semiconductor chip plant in Roseville, California, and invested two billion dollars to make silicon CARBYED chips for the auto industry."
Bosch is a major company that supplies parts to carmakers. Here, the host says Bosch is also making special computer chips (silicon carbide) for high-voltage uses like EVs.
Bosch (spoken here as “Bosh”) is an automotive supplier that makes components and also invests in industrial manufacturing. In this segment, Bosch is described as buying a semiconductor chip plant and ramping silicon carbide chip production.
tire traction
"While the cars nearly three thousand horse power and massive arrow elements are key to setting a new record, the biggest limiting factor will be finding tires that are capable of going those kinds of speeds."
Tire traction is how well the tires can grip the road. At extremely high speeds, the tires have to handle heat and forces without losing grip, so tires become a major limiting factor.
Tire traction is how much grip the tires can provide to the road, especially under acceleration, braking, and cornering. At record top speeds, traction and heat management become critical, which is why the host calls out the challenge of finding tires capable of those speeds.
semiconductor chip plant
"Three years ago, Bosh bought a semiconductor chip plant in Roseville, California, and invested two billion dollars to make silicon CARBYED chips for the auto industry."
A semiconductor chip plant is a factory that makes the tiny electronic chips inside modern devices. Here, it’s described as making chips used for high-voltage systems in EVs and other industries.
A semiconductor chip plant is a manufacturing facility that produces integrated circuits used in electronics. In this segment, the plant is specifically tied to producing silicon carbide chips for high-voltage automotive and other applications.
Roseville, California
"Three years ago, Bosh bought a semiconductor chip plant in Roseville, California, and invested two billion dollars to make silicon CARBYED chips for the auto industry."
Roseville, California is where the chip factory is located. The episode mentions it to explain where the new silicon carbide chips are being made.
Roseville, California is the location of the semiconductor chip plant Bosch purchased for silicon carbide production. The segment uses it as the concrete example of where the workforce retraining and chip ramp-up are happening.
high voltage applications
"Those chips are made for high voltage applications in EVS, hybrids, data centers, and for military applications."
High voltage applications are systems that use higher electrical voltage than typical household electronics. The segment is saying the chips are meant for EVs and other systems that need a lot of electrical power.
High voltage applications refer to systems that operate at elevated electrical voltages, which require specialized components and insulation. In this segment, the host connects those applications to EVs, hybrids, and other power-hungry sectors.
EV
"Those chips are made for high voltage applications in EVS, hybrids, data centers, and for military applications."
EVs stands for electric vehicles—cars that use electric motors powered by batteries instead of a gasoline engine. The segment mentions EVs as one of the main markets for the silicon carbide chips being produced.
silicon carbide chips
"we maintained over two hundred and fifty of the there were the major let's say ninety nine percent of the existing associates we maintained, and we've been training them now how to make the transition from previous generation normal silicon to move to silicon carbide."
Silicon carbide chips are special electronic parts used in high-power systems. They help EVs and other high-voltage equipment run more efficiently, especially when things get hot or the voltage is high.
Silicon carbide (SiC) chips are power electronics components that handle high voltage and high temperatures more efficiently than traditional silicon. They’re commonly used in EVs and other high-voltage systems because they can improve efficiency and reduce losses.
fatalities per one hundred million miles driven
"The fatality rate, which is calculated on fatalities per one hundred million miles driven, is now the lowest it's been since twenty fourteen, which is the lowest on record."
This is a way to measure traffic deaths that adjusts for how much driving happened. Instead of just counting deaths, it looks at deaths relative to the number of miles people drove.
“Fatalities per one hundred million miles driven” is a normalized safety metric that accounts for how much people drive. By using miles as the denominator, it’s easier to compare different years even if total driving changes.
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