Chipmaker Nvidia is acquiring DeepMap, the high-definition mapping startup announced. The company said its mapping IP will help Nvidia’s autonomous vehicle technology sector, Nvidia Drive. “The acquisition is an endorsement of DeepMap’s unique vision, technology and people,” said Ali Kani, vice president and general manager of Automotive at Nvidia, in a statement. “DeepMap is expected… Continue reading Nvidia acquires hi-def mapping startup DeepMap to bolster AV technology
Author: Tech Crunch Online News
Apple confirms hiring of Ulrich Kranz, former CEO of EV company Canoo
Apple has hired the former co-founder and CEO of electric vehicle company Canoo to help with the development of the Apple Car, Bloomberg first reported, citing unnamed sources. Apple has confirmed to TechCrunch it has hired Kranz, but did not provide further details into his job responsibilities or title. Kranz resigned his position at Canoo… Continue reading Apple confirms hiring of Ulrich Kranz, former CEO of EV company Canoo
SoftBank, Uber, Tencent set to reap rewards from Didi IPO
After years of speculation, Didi Chuxing, China’s ride-sharing behemoth, finally unveiled its IPO filing in the U.S., giving a glimpse into its money-losing history. Didi didn’t disclose the size of its raise. Reuters reported the company could raise around $10 billion at a valuation of close to $100 billion. Cheng Wei, Didi’s 38-year-old founder owns… Continue reading SoftBank, Uber, Tencent set to reap rewards from Didi IPO
Scale to launch a mapping product to address the changing needs of its autonomous driving customers
Solving the varied challenges that arise in autonomous driving is an incredibly complex task, but even attempting to get started means ensuring you have quality data that’s accurate and well-annotated. That’s where Scale comes in, having identified early on that the AV industry would require annotation of huge swaths of data, including specialized LiDAR imaging.… Continue reading Scale to launch a mapping product to address the changing needs of its autonomous driving customers
Widespread electrification requires us to rethink battery technology
Moshiel Biton Contributor Dr. Moshiel Biton is the CEO and co-founder of Addionics, a battery technology company providing AI-optimized, Smart 3D Electrodes for the next generation of energy storage. The global economy’s transition to widespread electrification has increased the demand for longer-lasting and faster-charging batteries across industries including transportation, consumer electronics, medical devices and residential… Continue reading Widespread electrification requires us to rethink battery technology
Waymo and JB Hunt partner to bring autonomous trucks to Texas in new pilot
Waymo will be moving freight for a major customer of transportation logistics company J.B. Hunt Transport Services under what the two companies are calling a “test run” that will take place in one of the country’s busiest trade corridors. Waymo Via, the company’s trucking and cargo transportation service, will transport goods along Interstate 45 between… Continue reading Waymo and JB Hunt partner to bring autonomous trucks to Texas in new pilot
Motional CEO hints at an autonomous future in logistics
Motional, the $4 billion joint venture between Aptiv and Hyundai, is exploring the company’s potential involvement in autonomous trucking or logistics, its CEO said today during a live session at TechCrunch’s 2021 Mobility Event. “The beauty of what’s on the other side of the coin is that the same core technology can of course apply… Continue reading Motional CEO hints at an autonomous future in logistics
Joby Aviation eyes Asia and Europe as early markets alongside North America
While electric vertical take-off and landing passenger aircraft startup Joby Aviation is targeting North America for its initial commercial launch, founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt expects the company to have an early presence in Asia and Europe as well. Bevirt, who joined the TC Sessions: Mobility 2021 on June 9, didn’t give away the first… Continue reading Joby Aviation eyes Asia and Europe as early markets alongside North America
German eVTOL maker Lilium partners with Honeywell for flight control and avionics systems
German electric air mobility company Lilium has partnered with aerospace manufacturer Honeywell to develop the electronics and mechanical systems for the 7-seater Lilium Jet, the company’s debut eVTOL. Honeywell will supply its compact fly-by-wire system, a flight control component that will be responsible for controlling all of the Jet’s moving parts, and the aircraft’s avionics… Continue reading German eVTOL maker Lilium partners with Honeywell for flight control and avionics systems
Swedish company Northvolt raises $2.75B to accelerate European battery production
Swedish battery developer and manufacturer Northvolt AB has raised $2.75 billion in capital as it prepares to ramp up to an annual production capacity of 150 GWh in Europe by 2030. The funding round — Northvolt’s largest thus far — was co-led by existing investors Goldman Sachs and Volkswagen, and new investors including the Swedish… Continue reading Swedish company Northvolt raises $2.75B to accelerate European battery production