A flying Roadster, Chinese air taxis, robot plans and AI with Dutch roots: these were the eight Dutch-language posts on Defence Watch in week 42, from 12 to 18 October 2026. Below you will find the key points and a link to each story.
Mobility and technology
China tests autonomous air taxis: EHang leads the way in pilotless transport (video)
China is investing in autonomous air taxis. EHang leads the way with the EH216-S, a pilotless drone for two passengers. How advanced is the technology?
BYD wants to conquer the world’s oceans: after eight car carriers, possibly ten more (video)
BYD already has eight large car carriers and is considering adding ten more vessels. The Chinese carmaker wants to control its global exports itself.
BYD drives on three wheels: China turns from copier into inventor (video)
BYD has its Yangwang driving on three wheels. More than a stunt: the active suspension shows how Chinese carmakers are increasingly developing their own innovations.
Bizarre: the Tesla Roadster can really fly! (video)
Tesla has its new Roadster performing short hops and aerial manoeuvres using SpaceX thrusters. How does this unusual technology work, and will it reach public roads?
Tesla Roadster gets SpaceX technology: can Musk’s new supercar really hover? (video)
Tesla wants to unveil its new Roadster with SpaceX technology. Can the electric supercar really hover? Here is what is known.
Robotics
XPENG aims to deliver more than 10,000 humanoid robots in 2027: carmaker bets on mass production (video)
XPENG is targeting more than 10,000 humanoid robots in 2027. Series production of the IRON robot is intended to begin at the end of 2026, with a European launch in 2027.
AI and chips
This Dutch Founder Is Teaching AI Through Gaming—and His Company Is Worth $6.2 Billion
With General Intuition, Pim de Witte is building AI that learns from gaming footage and controller actions. His company is valued at $6.2 billion. What makes this approach so interesting?
From the Yellow Pages to billions: how the partnership between Nvidia and TSMC began (video)
Jensen Huang called TSMC using the Yellow Pages, received no reply and wrote a letter to Morris Chang. That is how the partnership between Nvidia and TSMC began.
Read more: the humanoid robots dossier.
