A month before the COVID-19 pandemic had spread to North America, auto fintech startup MotoRefi — newly armed with nearly $9 million in venture capital — was preparing to bring its refinancing platform to the masses. CEO Kevin Bennett, and the investors behind the company, saw the opportunity to service Americans who collectively hold $1.2… Continue reading MotoRefi raises $10M to keep pedal on auto refinancing growth
Author: Tech Crunch Online News
Elon Musk said it was ‘Not a Flamethrower’
After two days locked up in an Italian prison, American Max Craddock was finally able to make his case to a judge. “It’s not a weapon of war,” his lawyer told the investigating magistrate. “It’s a toy they sell to children.” Craddock had been arrested in the Sardinian port city of Olbia in June 2018… Continue reading Elon Musk said it was ‘Not a Flamethrower’
Bolt Mobility launching into 48 new markets after snapping up Last Mile’s assets
Bolt Mobility, the Miami-based micromobility startup co-founded by Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt, is expanding to 48 new markets after acquiring the assets of Last Mile Holdings. Bolt Mobility’s rise and Last Mile’s demise captures the uncertainty that plagued micromobility companies in the past year as the COVID-19 pandemic upended business models that were, in… Continue reading Bolt Mobility launching into 48 new markets after snapping up Last Mile’s assets
Uber planning to spin out Postmates’ delivery robot arm
Another Uber spinout is in the works. Postmates X, the robotics division of the on-demand delivery startup that Uber acquired last year for $2.65 billion, is seeking investors in its bid to become a separate company, according to several people familiar with the plans. The startup is being referred to as Serve Robotics, a nod… Continue reading Uber planning to spin out Postmates’ delivery robot arm
Foxconn, Geely team up to build electric, autonomous and shared vehicles for automakers
The electric, autonomous vehicles of the future might be manufactured by Apple’s main supplier Foxconn and Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. The two companies have agreed to form a joint venture focused on contract manufacturing for automakers, with a specific focus on electrification, connectivity and autonomous driving technology as well as vehicles designed for… Continue reading Foxconn, Geely team up to build electric, autonomous and shared vehicles for automakers
Sono Motors plans to license the tech that powers its solar electric car
Sono Motors wants to bring technology it developed for its solar electric car to the masses. And it’s starting with autonomous shuttle startup EasyMile. The German-based startup said Tuesday during a presentation at the virtual 2021 CES tech trade show that it will license its solar body panel technology to other companies. EasyMile, which provides… Continue reading Sono Motors plans to license the tech that powers its solar electric car
The Cadillac personal drone is the cadillac of personal drones
GM revealed Tuesday a Cadillac-branded electric vertical takeoff and landing drone concept that is designed — if it’s ever built — to let owners cruise the skies in isolated luxury. The single seat eVTOL, which was showcased alongside an autonomous vehicle during GM’s keynote presentation at the virtual 2021 CES tech trade show, is the… Continue reading The Cadillac personal drone is the cadillac of personal drones
Uber expands green rides option to 1,400 cities
Uber has expanded a program that incentivizes drivers to use all-electric and hybrid vehicles to more than 1,400 cities in North America including Austin, Houston, Miami and New York City as part of the ride-hailing company’s broader plan to become a zero-emission platform by 2040. The program, known as Uber Green, gives customers the option… Continue reading Uber expands green rides option to 1,400 cities
Sony reveals more details on its secretive Vision-S sedan
Sony’s Vision-S prototype sedan, one of the biggest surprises at CES last year, didn’t fade away after the tech trade show ended. The Vision-S is back in a series of new videos released by Sony during 2021 CES, which kicked off Monday. Two videos show the Vision-S prototype driving on a private track and then… Continue reading Sony reveals more details on its secretive Vision-S sedan
BMW previews its next-gen iDrive infotainment system
At CES 2021, BMW today provided us with a first glimpse of the future of its iDrive system, 20 years after it first launched in the 2001 7 Series. Today’s announcement mostly focuses on the past, with a look back at the history of BMW’s infotainment platform, but the company did provide a bit more… Continue reading BMW previews its next-gen iDrive infotainment system