Augmented and virtual reality have been used for years in gaming, design and shopping. Now, a new battle for market share is emerging — inside vehicles. Safety-glass windshields offer a new opportunity for suppliers, manufacturers and startups that are starting to adapt this technology: AR overlays digital information or images on what a user sees… Continue reading Automakers, suppliers and startups see growing market for in-vehicle AR/VR applications
Author: Tech Crunch Online News
Baton raises $10.5M to create ‘drop zones,’ where truckers can hand off freight
In the trucking industry, “dwell and detention” times are the enemies of efficiency, profits and drivers. More than two billion hours are lost each year due to dwell —the time spent at a distribution yard or facility — and detention — the gap between when unloading or loading is supposed to begin and when it… Continue reading Baton raises $10.5M to create ‘drop zones,’ where truckers can hand off freight
Investors feed the meter for curb management startup Automotus
The curbside is being squeezed as the number of commercial vehicle operators and gig economy workers battle over this increasingly scarce real estate — a problem that has been compounded by an uptick in on-demand delivery services fueled by the pandemic. A number of startups such as Coord and curbflow have popped up in recent… Continue reading Investors feed the meter for curb management startup Automotus
TuSimple’s IPO filing reveals roadblocks for self-driving startups with Chinese ties
While the governments of the United States and China are pushing policies for technological decoupling, private tech firms continue to tap resources from both sides. In the field of autonomous vehicles, it’s common to see Chinese startups — or startups with a strong Chinese link — keep operations and seek investments in both countries. But… Continue reading TuSimple’s IPO filing reveals roadblocks for self-driving startups with Chinese ties
Australian lidar maker Baraja collects $31M B round to illuminate the future of autonomy
Lidar companies across the planet are going SPAC, but Baraja isn’t in a hurry to go public. The Australian lidar maker has raised a $31M B round to continue the deployment and development of its “unique and ingenious” imaging system, with participation beyond the usual VC suspects. Baraja’s lidar uses what the company calls SpectrumScan,… Continue reading Australian lidar maker Baraja collects $31M B round to illuminate the future of autonomy
Berlin’s Blacklane raises $26M to expand its high-end chauffeur-driven sustainable car service
As the Ubers of the world continue to scale, a smaller on-demand transportation startup has raised some funding in Germany, underscoring the opportunities that remain for startups in the space targeting specific service niches. Blacklane — the Berlin startup that provides on-demand black-car chauffeur services in Berlin, London, Dubai, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, Singapore… Continue reading Berlin’s Blacklane raises $26M to expand its high-end chauffeur-driven sustainable car service
Lime launches app-less rides and no fee reservations to get more people riding
Lime is rolling out several new features, including the ability to rent electric scooters without downloading the app, in an effort to attract more riders. The micromobility company announced Wednesday a series of product features that aims to remove barriers to entry for new users, while increasing accessibility to its vehicles. The new features include… Continue reading Lime launches app-less rides and no fee reservations to get more people riding
Self-driving truck startup TuSimple files to go public
TuSimple, the self-driving truck company that is backed by a diverse consortium of strategic investors, including Volkswagen AG’s heavy-truck business The Traton Group, Navistar, Goodyear, and freight company U.S. Xpress, filed Tuesday for an initial public offering. TuSimple is taking the traditional path to going public, a departure from the recent trend — particularly among… Continue reading Self-driving truck startup TuSimple files to go public
QuantumScape’s share sale to fund solid-state battery production roils its market value
QuantumScape has issued a share offering to pay for an expanded pilot production line for its solid-state batteries just months after it became a publicly traded company via a reverse merger. QuantumScape said in a regulatory filing that the net proceeds from its sale of 13 million shares, — along with an additional 1.95 million… Continue reading QuantumScape’s share sale to fund solid-state battery production roils its market value
BMW and PG&E team up to prepare the electric grid for millions of EVs
BMW Group and California utility Pacific Gas & Electric are rolling out the next phase of a pilot that aims to test — and learn — how electric vehicles could support the integration of renewable energy on the electric grid. The ChargeForward program, now entering its third phase, is open to PG&E customers who drive… Continue reading BMW and PG&E team up to prepare the electric grid for millions of EVs