Month: November 2025

Legal Liability and Safety Standards for Level 3 Autonomous Driving Systems in Urban Environments
Automobile Industry

Legal Liability and Safety Standards for Level 3 Autonomous Driving Systems in Urban Environments

- by Riley Butler

The year 2026 marks a watershed moment for the automotive industry. After years of testing on geofenced highways, Level 3 (L3) autonomous driving systems—where the vehicle can handle all aspects of driving under specific conditions—are now navigating complex urban environments. Unlike Level 2 systems (where the human is always “the driver”), Level 3 introduces a revolutionary and legally challenging state: the human becomes a “User-in-Charge” (UiC), a passenger who must be ready to intervene only when prompted.

As these vehicles merge into the chaotic flow of city traffic, the legal and engineering communities have established a robust framework to manage the shifting sands of liability and safety.

1. The Transition of Control: The “Handover” Problem

The most critical safety risk in Level 3 automation occurs during the Transition Demand (TD). This is the moment the system encounters a situation outside its Operational Design Domain (ODD)—such as an …

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Certified Dealership Service for Hybrid and EV Battery Health Checks in Jakarta
Dealerships

Certified Dealership Service for Hybrid and EV Battery Health Checks in Jakarta

- by Riley Butler

As Jakarta accelerates its transition toward a greener horizon in 2026, the local automotive landscape has shifted its focus from the odometer to the “Battery Passport.” With the streets of the capital now populated by a diverse fleet ranging from the ubiquitous Toyota Kijang Innova Zenix HEV to the high-performance BYD Seal, the “Health Check” has become the most critical maintenance ritual for Indonesian vehicle owners.

In a city defined by extreme tropical humidity and grueling stop-and-go traffic, the certified dealership service is no longer just a recommendation—it is the gatekeeper of your vehicle’s performance and future resale value.

1. The Jakarta Context: Why “Battery Health” is the New “Mileage”

Jakarta presents a unique set of challenges for lithium-ion and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries. The relentless 32°C average temperature, combined with hours spent idling in Sudirman or Gatot Subroto traffic, creates a high-heat environment that can accelerate chemical degradation.

In …

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How Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) Platforms Enable Features-on-Demand and Subscription Revenue for OEMs
Automobile Industry

How Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) Platforms Enable Features-on-Demand and Subscription Revenue for OEMs

- by Riley Butler

The automotive industry is undergoing its most significant structural change since the introduction of the assembly line. We are moving away from the era of “Horsepower and Chrome” toward an era of “Bits and Bytes.” By 2026, the car is no longer just a mechanical product; it is a Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV)—a programmable, evolving platform that serves as a mobile data center.

For Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), this shift isn’t just about technology; it’s about a fundamental transformation of their business models. The SDV enables a “Features-on-Demand” (FoD) strategy that turns a one-time vehicle sale into a multi-year, high-margin subscription relationship.

1. The Architectural Shift: From ECUs to Zonal Computing

Traditional vehicle architecture was a “patchwork” of up to 150 separate Electronic Control Units (ECUs), each dedicated to a single function like power windows or engine timing. This distributed model made it nearly impossible to update the car’s software …

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How to Use a Dealership AI Agent to Negotiate Trade-In Value and Lease Payments Online
Dealerships

How to Use a Dealership AI Agent to Negotiate Trade-In Value and Lease Payments Online

- by Riley Butler

In 2026, the traditional image of the “car salesman” is being replaced by the Agentic AI. These are not the clumsy chatbots of the early 2020s; they are sophisticated digital employees integrated directly into the dealership’s core operating systems.

For the savvy consumer, these AI agents offer a powerful opportunity to bypass the “showroom grind.” By understanding how to interact with these systems, you can secure firm trade-in values and transparent lease payments before you ever set foot on a dealership lot.

1. The Evolution of the Dealership AI Agent (2026)

As of early 2026, over 75% of dealerships have transitioned to “AI Operations.” The modern AI agent is probabilistic and context-aware. Unlike a standard bot that follows a rigid script, an AI agent like Toma or AIME can reason through complex requests.

These agents have real-time access to:

  • The DMS (Dealer Management System): Allowing them to see
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