The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Uber, accusing the ride-hailing company of violating federal law by discriminating against people with physical disabilities. In particular, the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) civil rights division claims that the company and its drivers “routinely refuse to serve individuals with disabilities, including individuals who travel with service… Continue reading Justice Department sues Uber for allegedly discriminating against people with disabilities
Author: Tech Crunch Online News
Arc gets its first major order for electric tugboats worth $160M
If you’ve heard of Arc Boats, the Los Angeles startup founded in 2021 by former SpaceX employees, it’s likely because you’ve seen its sleek sport boats. But the company’s also been pushing into the far less glamorous world of tugboats, and now has its first big order worth $160 million. The company announced Wednesday it… Continue reading Arc gets its first major order for electric tugboats worth $160M
Dutch battery startup LeydenJar’s silicon anode tech could pose a challenge to China
Battery materials startup LeydenJar has closed a €13 million ($15.2 million USD) round to scale up manufacturing of its silicon anode technology for an unnamed “leading U.S.-based consumer electronics company.” The Netherlands-based startup will use the funding, along with a €10 million commitment from the U.S. customer, to build the first phase of its facility,… Continue reading Dutch battery startup LeydenJar’s silicon anode tech could pose a challenge to China
Jaguar Land Rover says data stolen in disruptive cyberattack
Jaguar Land Rover said on Wednesday that an unspecified amount of data was stolen during a cyberattack that has brought vehicle assembly lines to a standstill. In a statement on Wednesday, the U.K.-based maker of Land Rover and Range Rover vehicles said it was aware that “some data” was taken in the incident. Companies that… Continue reading Jaguar Land Rover says data stolen in disruptive cyberattack
Zoox opens its Las Vegas robotaxi service to the public
Zoox robotaxis — custom-built all-electric and autonomous vehicles that operate without a steering wheel or pedals — can now be hailed by the public in Las Vegas. But this isn’t a commercial service just yet. For now, the Zoox robotaxi service currently offer rides for free. The Amazon-owned autonomous vehicle company, which launched the free service on… Continue reading Zoox opens its Las Vegas robotaxi service to the public
Lyft and May Mobility launch robotaxis in Atlanta
Riders in Atlanta can now hail a May Mobility robotaxi on the Lyft app, marking the first commercial deployment in the two companies’ partnership. The small fleet of autonomous vehicles is Lyft’s latest attempt to carve out a presence in the robotaxi market. Lyft’s Atlanta launch signals an effort to carve out a piece of… Continue reading Lyft and May Mobility launch robotaxis in Atlanta
Uber will add Blade’s helicopters to its platform as early as 2026
Uber users living near New York City or Southern Europe may have a new travel option to pick from in 2026: helicopters. Electric air taxi startup Joby Aviation announced Wednesday that Blade Air Mobility helicopters will be on the Uber app starting “as soon as next year.” While Joby is not saying specifically where the… Continue reading Uber will add Blade’s helicopters to its platform as early as 2026
Tesla is seeking permits to offer ride-hail services at Silicon Valley airports
Tesla has asked the San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland airports about acquiring permits to operate a ride-hailing service at each location, according to Politico. Tesla appears to have contacted each airport right around the time it started up a nascent charter service in California in late July. In the case of the San Francisco… Continue reading Tesla is seeking permits to offer ride-hail services at Silicon Valley airports
ReOrbit lands record funding to take on Musk’s Starlink from Europe
ReOrbit, a Finnish startup focused on helping nations control their own sovereign satellites, has raised a record €45 million (about US $53 million) Series A round of funding for a European space tech company. The funding round signals that Europe’s new space market is heating up, fueled by a geopolitical environment in which countries increasingly… Continue reading ReOrbit lands record funding to take on Musk’s Starlink from Europe
InDrive has big plans to become a global ‘super app’ where others have failed
InDrive, known for its bidding-based ride-hailing model across Asia and Latin America, is rolling out a “super-app” strategy aimed at frontier markets — expanding beyond cabs to deliver daily essentials to its users. Beginning with grocery deliveries in Kazakhstan, InDrive plans to expand into multiple verticals over the next 12 months across its top markets,… Continue reading InDrive has big plans to become a global ‘super app’ where others have failed