📌 TOPINDIATOURS Eksklusif ai: Tesla radio tech wins key US approval for wireless c

Tesla has secured a key regulatory win as it prepares to roll out its purpose-built robotaxi. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted the company a waiver allowing it to use ultra-wideband (UWB) radio technology in a fixed, outdoor wireless charging system designed for its upcoming Cybercab.

The approval, issued February 18, 2026, waives two FCC rules that normally require UWB devices to be handheld and prohibit antennas mounted on outdoor fixed infrastructure. Tesla needed the exception because its wireless charging system uses a ground-level pad that may be installed outdoors to communicate with a vehicle during parking and alignment.

The decision clears an important regulatory hurdle as Tesla moves closer to commercial production of the Cybercab, the first of which recently rolled off the production line at the company’s Gigafactory in Texas. The autonomous two-passenger vehicle, first unveiled in October 2024, is expected to enter broader production ahead of a planned 2027 availability target, with pricing projected at around $30,000.

How Tesla’s UWB charging positioning system works

According to the FCC order, Tesla’s system uses impulse-based UWB radios installed both in the vehicle and in a ground charging pad to enable short-range, peer-to-peer communication. The system is designed to ensure precise vehicle positioning before wireless power transfer begins.

Before UWB activates, the vehicle first establishes a Bluetooth Low Energy connection with the charging pad. Only after that link is verified does the UWB system briefly transmit positioning signals. Once the vehicle is properly aligned over the pad, the UWB session terminates.

The FCC noted that the signals are extremely low-power, confined to the 7.7–8.3 GHz band, and operate for very short durations. Typically under 150 milliseconds per localization sequence. The system also transmits only when sending information to an associated receiver, and communications are limited to a single vehicle and pad at a time.

UWB technology is widely used for short-range precision tracking because it transmits over a very wide spectrum at very low power levels. It has become common on smartphones to support spatial awareness features, secure digital car keys, indoor location tracking, and industrial positioning systems. Its high timing accuracy allows devices to measure distance precisely while minimizing interference with other radio services.

The FCC concluded that Tesla’s implementation would not create a wide-area communication system, a key concern behind the original restrictions on outdoor fixed UWB infrastructure. However, the waiver includes operational limits and coordination requirements near sensitive federal and radio astronomy sites.

A critical piece of Tesla’s robotaxi strategy

The Cybercab represents a departure from Tesla’s existing consumer lineup. It is a two-door, steering-wheel-free vehicle designed exclusively for fully autonomous operation. Tesla has positioned the Cybercab as a scalable, lower-cost entry point into its robotaxi network. 

The $30,000 projected price point, alongside wireless charging infrastructure, suggests an ecosystem designed for high fleet utilization with minimal human intervention.

Wireless charging, combined with autonomous navigation, could allow robotaxis to reposition and recharge without manual plug-in operations, a capability that may prove essential for round-the-clock fleet deployment. While further regulatory approvals will be required for fully driverless commercial operations across jurisdictions, the FCC waiver is a step towards enabling the technical infrastructure behind that vision.

🔗 Sumber: interestingengineering.com

📌 TOPINDIATOURS Eksklusif ai: UK Army fields acoustic tracker to pinpoint artiller

The British Army is fielding a new acoustic system to pinpoint enemy artillery, enhancing battlefield awareness and protection.

Developed by Leonardo UK, the SONUS Acoustic Weapon Locating System uses sound analysis to detect and locate gunfire, mortars, and explosions without emitting an electronic signature.

Weighing 70 percent less than its predecessor, SONUS can be deployed in under three minutes, improving mobility and response times.

According to the UK Ministry of Defense (MoD), the £18.3 million contract was awarded five years ahead of schedule, sustaining 250 UK jobs. The procurement aligns with the ministry’s defense spending increase to 2.6 percent of GDP from 2027.

Silent artillery tracker

The British Army’s new SONUS Acoustic Weapon Locating System marks the latest evolution of Leonardo UK’s long-running Hostile Artillery Location (HALO) capability, developed over more than 25 years. The system is already trusted by 13 international users, including six NATO nations, and has been combat-proven in Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and most recently, Ukraine.

SONUS is a passive system that detects three acoustic cues from hostile fire: the muzzle blast, the supersonic crack of a projectile breaking the sound barrier, and the impact or explosion of the shell. By analysing these signatures, it can distinguish between weapons such as guns, mortars, and rifles. Using multiple distributed sensors, the system applies triangulation to calculate and pinpoint the source of fire with high accuracy.

SONUS uses advanced acoustic processing to detect pressure waves generated by gunfire, mortars, and explosions. By calculating both the point of origin and the point of impact, operators can rapidly locate hostile fire. Unlike radar-based systems, SONUS operates passively and does not emit an electronic signature, significantly reducing the risk to troops and allowing it to function undetected in contested environments, reports Lenardo UK.

“It will significantly enhance our ability to protect our people and respond to emerging threats, ensuring the Army remains ready to meet the challenges of the future,” said Brigadier M Birch, Senior Responsible Owner for the Land ISTAR Programme, in a statement.

Battlefield awareness upgrade

SONUS enhances battlefield awareness by enabling troops to detect and locate hostile gunfire more effectively, adding a vital layer of force protection.

SONUS is half the size and 70 percent lighter than the system it replaces, improving mobility, concealment, and ease of positioning. Lower power requirements extend its endurance in the field, reducing reliance on frequent resupply. Its sensor posts are equipped with integrated GPS microphones, allowing crews to set up the system in under three minutes and minimise exposure in high-threat environments.

Operating through passive acoustic detection, SONUS requires less power, extending endurance in the field and minimising resupply demands. Built on an open architecture, the system is designed for future upgrades and integration with other platforms, ensuring adaptability as operational requirements evolve.

According to MoD, the new contract with Leonardo UK will sustain 250 jobs nationwide and support 29 small and medium-sized enterprises within the UK defence supply chain, reinforcing the sector’s role in driving economic growth. The agreement accelerates delivery of the British Army’s new SONUS acoustic weapon locating system by five years, with frontline rollout scheduled within the next 12 months.

“The investment helps deliver on the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) and Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) – improving warfighting readiness, strengthening the UK’s defence industrial base, and making defence as an engine for growth,” said the MoD in a statement.

🔗 Sumber: interestingengineering.com