Seoul Robotics has taken a divergent path on the road to commercializing autonomous vehicles. Instead of developing and embedding the entire self-driving system, including sensors into a vehicle, Seoul is turning to surrounding infrastructure to do some of the heavy lifting. And its contrarian approach has attracted a new group of investors and $25 million… Continue reading Inside Seoul Robotics’s contrarian approach to autonomous vehicle tech
Author: Tech Crunch Online News
EV charging operator Bump unlocks $180 million
French startup Bump has signed a multi-year financing partnership with DIF Capital Partners in order to roll out more charging stations for electric vehicles and double down on growth in general. It is an equity and quasi-equity $180 million deal that will be progressively unlocked from 2022 to 2030. Yesterday, ZePlug also announced a significant… Continue reading EV charging operator Bump unlocks $180 million
Bird board backs new scooter boss
Micromobility company Bird is boosting its president, Shane Torchiana, to CEO status in a “long-planned” shakeup that sees founding chief executive Travis VanderZanden further stripped of power. Bird’s board also announced two other appointments: Former Archer Aviation chief financial officer Ben Lu has joined as Bird’s new CFO, taking over the role from Yibo Ling,… Continue reading Bird board backs new scooter boss
Kitty Hawk, the electric aircraft moonshot backed by Larry Page, is shutting down
Kitty Hawk, the electric aviation startup founded and led by the “godfather of self-driving cars” Sebastian Thrun and backed by Google co-founder Larry Page, is shutting down. The company said in a tweet and on a post in LinkedIn that it was winding down operations. “We have made the decision to wind down Kittyhawk. We’re… Continue reading Kitty Hawk, the electric aircraft moonshot backed by Larry Page, is shutting down
Kia, Hyundai sued after viral TikTok causes rise in thefts
Things I learned on TikTok: The hole in a pasta spoon is one serving of spaghetti. What to do when a debt collector comes knocking. How to hot wire a Kia using a USB cord and a screwdriver. Oh yes, you read that right. A trending TikTok challenge publicizing a technique for stealing certain makes… Continue reading Kia, Hyundai sued after viral TikTok causes rise in thefts
PG&E says Tesla battery was source of power storage site fire
In the early hours on Monday, a Tesla Megapack battery caught fire at a key California power storage facility, the state’s largest utility said in a statement to TechCrunch. According to PG&E, the utility “became aware of a fire in one Tesla Megapack at its Elkhorn Battery Storage facility” at around 1:30 AM in Moss… Continue reading PG&E says Tesla battery was source of power storage site fire
Leoparda Electric is bringing battery swapping for two-wheelers to LatAm
Leoparda Electric, a São Paolo–based startup, wants to be the Gogoro of Latin America. In other words, it’s looking to build out a network of battery swapping stations that should help spread adoption of electric two-wheelers in the region. While LatAm is the second largest two-wheeler market after Southeast Asia, electrification in the region has… Continue reading Leoparda Electric is bringing battery swapping for two-wheelers to LatAm
Hertz will order up to 175,000 EVs from General Motors, including BrightDrop vans
Eco-conscious vehicle renters can soon expect to see EVs from GM brands Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC and even commercial delivery unit BrightDrop at Hertz rental locations. The car rental giant said Tuesday it plans to order up to 175,000 electric vehicles from General Motors over the next five years, with first deliveries of Chevy Bolt… Continue reading Hertz will order up to 175,000 EVs from General Motors, including BrightDrop vans
Tesla extends FSD access amid regulator scrutiny
Tesla is extending access to its advanced driver assistance system, Full Self-Driving (FSD) Beta version 10.69.2.2, to 160,000 owners in the U.S. and Canada, according to a tweet Monday from Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Around 100,000 Tesla owners currently have access to the controversial driver assist system, which, for a price tag of $15,000, promises… Continue reading Tesla extends FSD access amid regulator scrutiny
Mullen to bid for bankrupt Electric Last Mile Solutions
Mullen Automotive is the leading bidder on bankrupt commercial EV maker Electric Last Mile Solutions, its second major deal this month as it strives to deliver its own electric vehicle. The California-based automaker placed a stalking horse bid of nearly $92 million to buy ELMS, which had been developing a commercial EV called the Urban… Continue reading Mullen to bid for bankrupt Electric Last Mile Solutions