Jack goes public: Next-gen Audi A8 to equip autonomous capability from A7 prototype

By Andrew Hard Published January 7, 2015

Over the course of the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), we’ve seen a lot of cool gadgets.

Connected cars, 4K OLED TVs, and even voice-activated ovens have flooded the exhibit halls of Las Vegas this year, as well as everything from breakthroughs in gaming to potentially life-changing wearables.

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One of Audi’s debuts, however, has the potential to be even more metamorphic. No, the automaker’s self-driving A7 prototype isn’t a toy or a lifestyle piece; it’s something that could change the way we move entirely.

Audi even gave the car a name: Jack.

Jack (pictured) completed a 550-mile journey through California before CES even began, with many of those being self-driven.

The car isn’t fully autonomous, as media drivers and Audi reps were present in the vehicle the entire time. It simply isn’t equipped to navigate in certain unmapped conditions, such as heavy traffic.

The car can cruise along unfrequented freeways completely own its own, though, with adaptive cruise control and a 3D video camera constantly mapping the road.

At a CES press conference on January 6^th, Audi Board Member for Technical Development Ulrich Hackenberg revealed that the next-generation A8 would feature the same level of autonomy that was demonstrated by the A7, and will likely arrive within two years.

What this means is that Audi is rapidly becoming one of the grand architects of the self-driving future. The upcoming Audi Q7 is slated to equip driverless solutions like ‘Predictive Efficiency Assistant’ that maps out the most economical routes, adaptive cruise control, and a traffic jam aid that can speed, slow, and steer the car at speeds below 37.3 mph.

In October, the automaker flaunted its autonomous RS 7 concept by letting it complete a hot lap of Germany’s Hockenheimring racetrack sans-driver.

The brand also showcased its self-driving chops at CES with the Prologue piloted driving concept.

Every year, more of these technologies will start showing up in Audi’s production vehicles, with the cars becoming smarter, more adaptive, and more capable.

So while the future might not be now, it is most definitely soon.

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Former Digital Trends Contributor

Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…

Cars

Jeep Compass EV breaks cover—but will it come to the U.S.?

jeep compass ev us newjeepcompassfirsteditionhawaii 4

Jeep just pulled the wraps off the all-new Compass EV, and while it’s an exciting leap into the electric future, there's a catch—it might not make it to the U.S. anytime soon.
This is a brand new electric version of the Jeep Compass, and being built on Stellantis' STLA platform—the same architecture underpinning models like the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008—it looks much slicker and packs a lot more inside than previous versions of the Compass.
Let’s start with what’s cool: the new Compass EV is packing up to 404 miles of range on a single charge, a 74 kWh battery, and fast-charging that gets you from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes. Not bad for a compact SUV with Jeep's badge on the nose.
There are two versions: a front-wheel-drive model with 213 horsepower and a beefier all-wheel-drive version with 375 horsepower. That AWD setup isn’t just for looks—it can handle 20% inclines even without front traction, and comes with extra ground clearance and better off-road angles. In short, it’s still a Jeep.
The design's been refreshed too, and inside you’ll find the kind of tech and comfort you’d expect in a modern EV—sleek, smart, and ready for both city streets and dirt trails.
But here’s the thing: even though production starts soon in Italy, Jeep hasn’t said whether the Compass EV is coming to America. And the signs aren’t promising.
Plans to build it in Canada were recently put on hold, with production now delayed until at least early 2026. Some of that might have to do with possible U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican vehicles—adding a layer of uncertainty to the whole rollout.
According to Kelley Blue Book, a Stellantis spokesperson confirmed that the company has “temporarily paused work on the next-generation Jeep Compass, including activities at” the Canadian plant that was originally meant to build the model. They added that Stellantis is “reassessing its product strategy in North America” to better match customer needs and demand for different powertrain options.
So while Europe and other markets are gearing up to get the Compass EV soon, American drivers might be left waiting—or miss out entirely.
That’s a shame, because on paper, this electric Jeep hits a lot of sweet spots. Let’s just hope it finds a way over here.

Cars

Tesla just scrapped the Cybertruck range extender

Tesla CEO Elon Musk behind the wheel of a Cybertruck.

The writing was pretty much on the wall for the Cybertruck range extender last month when Tesla removed the option from its website. Now, it’s officially scrapped it and is refunding the $2,000 deposits that customers put down for the $16,000 battery pack.

“We are no longer planning to sell the range extender for Cybertruck," Tesla said in a message to customers on Wednesday, adding, "As a result, we will be refunding your deposit in full.”

Cars

Zoox recalls robotaxis after Las Vegas crash, citing software fix

Amazon's self-driving vehicle unit, Zoox, has issued a voluntary safety recall after one of its autonomous vehicles was involved in a minor collision in Las Vegas. The incident, which occurred in April 2025, led the company to investigate and identify a software issue affecting how the robotaxi anticipates another vehicle’s path.
The recall, affecting 270 Zoox-built vehicles, was formally filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Zoox said the issue has already been addressed through a software update that was remotely deployed to its fleet.
Zoox’s robotaxis, which operate without driving controls like a steering wheel or pedals, are part of Amazon’s entry into the autonomous driving space. According to Zoox’s safety recall report, the vehicle failed to yield to oncoming traffic while making an unprotected left turn, leading to a low-speed collision with a regular passenger car. While damage was minor, the event raised flags about the system’s behavior in complex urban scenarios.
Establishing safety and reliability remain key factors in the deployment of the relatively new autonomous ride-hailing technology. Alphabet-owned Waymo continues to lead the sector in both safety and operational scale, with services active in multiple cities including Phoenix and San Francisco. But GM’s Cruise and Ford/VW-backed Argo AI were forced to abandon operations over the past few years.
Tesla is also expected to enter the robotaxi race with the launch of its own service in June 2025, leveraging its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. While FSD has faced heavy regulatory scrutiny through last year, safety regulations are expected to loosen under the Trump administration.
Zoox, which Amazon acquired in 2020, says it issued the recall voluntarily as part of its commitment to safety. “It’s essential that we remain transparent about our processes and the collective decisions we make,” the company said in a statement.