New documents reveal details of Seattle scooter-share pilot, including ban on sidewalk riding

A Lime scooter and Lime bikes in Seattle (GeekWire Photo / Todd Bishop) Seattle’s plan for a free-floating scooter-share pilot program is coming into focus with a newly released environmental impact statement and other filings that reveal key details of the proposal. The motorized scooters will be allowed in bicycle lanes and multi-use trails but… Continue reading New documents reveal details of Seattle scooter-share pilot, including ban on sidewalk riding

Airbus acquires MTM Robotics, which makes aircraft-building systems in Boeing’s backyard

MTM Robotics’ light automated robotic systems are already in use in Airbus’ manufacturing facilities. (Airbus Photo) Airbus says it has acquired MTM Robotics, a Seattle-area company that provides automated systems for aerospace manufacturing, for an undisclosed sum. MTM’s headquarters are in Mukilteo, Wash., just a few miles from Boeing’s Everett factory. But MTM has had… Continue reading Airbus acquires MTM Robotics, which makes aircraft-building systems in Boeing’s backyard

Lift Aircraft says 13,000 people have signed up for drone rides; flights begin in beta mode in Texas

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos sits in the Hexa rotorcraft and chats with Lift Aircraft CEO Matt Chasen, standing alongside the craft, during Amazon’s MARS conference in March. (Lift Aircraft Photo) A year after its unveiling, Lift Aircraft says more than 13,000 people have signed up so far for rides on the Hexa passenger drone that… Continue reading Lift Aircraft says 13,000 people have signed up for drone rides; flights begin in beta mode in Texas

Seattle port officials approve face recognition guardrails as feds waffle on the controversial tech

Delta is the first airline to launch a biometric terminal in the U.S. with facial recognition technology. (Delta Photo) The Port of Seattle established new rules governing the use of biometric screening Tuesday amid an ongoing global debate over facial recognition technology. The vote comes as civil rights groups pressure government agencies across the country… Continue reading Seattle port officials approve face recognition guardrails as feds waffle on the controversial tech

Boeing helps Disney put X-Wing fighters into the air for dedication of ‘Star Wars’ thrill ride in Florida

[embedded content] Boeing’s heavy-duty drones, dressed up as X-Wing fighters, flew in for a cameo at last week’s dedication of Disney’s new “Rise of the Resistance” thrill ride in a Star Wars theme park. As reported by The Drive’s Tyler Rogoway, the Star Wars fighters appear to be based on the design for Boeing’s van-sized… Continue reading Boeing helps Disney put X-Wing fighters into the air for dedication of ‘Star Wars’ thrill ride in Florida

With grounding still in force, Boeing gives 737 MAX 10 jet a low-key rollout in Renton

Employees gather around Boeing’s first 737 MAX 10 jet after its rollout in Renton, Wash. (Boeing Photo) Hundreds of Boeing employees turned out today for the official rollout of the company’s biggest 737 MAX — a traditional rite in the birth of an airplane that was more muted this time, due to the eight-month-long grounding… Continue reading With grounding still in force, Boeing gives 737 MAX 10 jet a low-key rollout in Renton

FlixBus arrives in Northwest with $9.99 trip from Seattle to Portland — and plans for electric vehicles

A FlixBus with the Seattle skyline in the background. (FlixBus via Alabastro Photography) “Having a car is a thing of the past,” according to Pierre Gourdain, managing director of FlixBus USA, as the fast-growing, tech friendly bus service provider has arrived in the Pacific Northwest. FlixBus announced that it is partnering with MTR Western, the… Continue reading FlixBus arrives in Northwest with $9.99 trip from Seattle to Portland — and plans for electric vehicles

Car2go pulls out of 5 North American cities casting more doubt on free-floating car-sharing’s viability

A car2go vehicle in Seattle. (GeekWire Photo) Car2go is putting five cities in the rear-view mirror as the North American free-floating car-sharing market contracts rapidly. SHARE NOW, car2go’s parent company, said Friday that the service will shut down in Portland, Denver, Chicago, Austin, and Calgary. The announcement comes just a few weeks after two car-sharing… Continue reading Car2go pulls out of 5 North American cities casting more doubt on free-floating car-sharing’s viability

HopSkipDrive launches ‘Uber for kids’ service in Seattle

HopSkipDrive CEO Joanna McFarland. (HopSkipDrive Photo) A service that connects parents with vetted drivers to ferry their kids around rolled out in Seattle this week. HopSkipDrive is a Los Angeles startup that provides an Uber-like transportation model with additional safety features for children. The service launched Monday in Seattle as students headed back to school.… Continue reading HopSkipDrive launches ‘Uber for kids’ service in Seattle

Car2go adds new ‘zone-based pricing structure’ in Seattle to get more vehicles into the urban core

A car2go vehicle in Seattle. (GeekWire Photo) Car2go is implementing a new pricing structure in Seattle next month to encourage drivers to leave cars in the busiest part of town. Customers will be charged new fees if they leave their vehicles in certain areas. The move comes after ReachNow shut down in Seattle last month,… Continue reading Car2go adds new ‘zone-based pricing structure’ in Seattle to get more vehicles into the urban core