Moovit partners with smart cane company WeWALK to enhance mobility for visually impaired

Intel-owned Moovit, a mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) provider with a globally popular trip planning app, has partnered with WeWALK, a smart cane company, to help visually impaired people reach their destinations safer and more efficiently. WeWALK’s app will now be integrated with Moovit’s Transit API, which combines official local transit agency information with crowdsourced information to get… Continue reading Moovit partners with smart cane company WeWALK to enhance mobility for visually impaired

Kakao Mobility picks up additional $55M funding at over $4.2B valuation 

Kakao Mobility, the South Korea-based mobility as a service (MaaS) startup behind Kakao T, a ride-hailing app, said it has raised an additional $55 million (65 billion won) from strategic investor GS Retail. This brings its total raised to about $941.4 million (1.11 trillion won) and values it at more than $4.2 billion, a spokesperson… Continue reading Kakao Mobility picks up additional $55M funding at over $4.2B valuation 

Nuro and 7-Eleven to pilot autonomous delivery service in California

Convenience store giant 7-Eleven is pairing up with Nuro to pilot a commercial delivery service using autonomous vehicles in the Silicon Valley enclave of Mountain View, California. The service, which customers can access beginning December 1 through 7-Eleven’s 7NOW delivery app, will initially use Nuro’s self-driving Priuses. Eventually, the service will use Nuro’s R2 delivery… Continue reading Nuro and 7-Eleven to pilot autonomous delivery service in California

AWS launches new services for the automotive industry

At its annual re:Invent conference, AWS today announced two new initiatives for the automotive industry. One is a new product, AWS FleetWise, a new service that makes it easier for automakers to collect and retrieve sensor and telemetry data from their vehicle fleets. The other is AWS Automotive, a broader, industry-specific initiative that brings together… Continue reading AWS launches new services for the automotive industry

Elon Musk shills a $50 Tesla Cyberwhistle with a joke about whistleblowers

Tesla has yet to produce its all-electric Cybertruck, but diehard fans who need to lay their hands on something new and associated with the highly anticipated and delayed vehicle can now buy a cyberwhistle for $50. Yes, a whistle. Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted Tuesday a link to the webpage for his 65.1 million followers to… Continue reading Elon Musk shills a $50 Tesla Cyberwhistle with a joke about whistleblowers

Via raises $130M to expand on-demand shuttle software business

On-demand shuttle and software company Via has raised another $130 million, capital that has pushed its valuation to about $3.3 billion as demand from cities to update its legacy transit systems rises. The round was led by Janus Henderson with participation from funds and accounts managed by BlackRock, ION Crossover Partners, Koch Disruptive Technologies and… Continue reading Via raises $130M to expand on-demand shuttle software business

Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz invest in solid-state battery developer Factorial Energy

Factorial Energy, a startup working on solid-state batteries for electric vehicles, has added two more major automakers to its investor sheet: Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis, both of which plan to co-develop batteries in separate joint collaboration agreements. Mercedes, a brand of Daimler AG, said it invested a “double-digit million dollar” amount in Factorial. Stellantis declined to… Continue reading Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz invest in solid-state battery developer Factorial Energy

Holoride debuts Ride crypto, the currency of its in-car metaverse

Holoride, the Audi-backed startup that’s creating an in-vehicle virtual reality entertainment system designed for passengers, has begun publicly selling its Ride cryptocurrency token. The launch of the crypto is the latest move by Holoride to build up its extended reality (XR) ecosystem of games and experiences created by a community of developers. Vehicle passengers keen… Continue reading Holoride debuts Ride crypto, the currency of its in-car metaverse

BMW combines M legacy and rockstar esthetic into a quick V8 hybrid SUV

BMW couldn’t mark the 50th anniversary of its high-performance M division with any ol’ concept vehicle. Instead, the German automaker tapped into a rock star aesthetic that would make David Lee Roth proud with a plug-in hybrid concept that merges V8 power with next level M design. The XM SUV plug-in hybrid concept — suitably… Continue reading BMW combines M legacy and rockstar esthetic into a quick V8 hybrid SUV

Stellantis locks in lithium supply agreement to secure EV battery materials

Stellantis, the global corporation formed through a merger between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and French automaker Groupe PSA, signed a binding agreement with a lithium producer as more automakers look to secure key parts of the battery supply chain. The agreement is one in a flurry of deals between automakers and suppliers as the demand for… Continue reading Stellantis locks in lithium supply agreement to secure EV battery materials