Self-driving cars are still many years away from becoming a ubiquitous reality, but today one of the bigger efforts to build and develop them is taking a significant step out as part of its strategy to be at the forefront for when they do. Yandex — the publicly-traded Russian tech giant that started as a… Continue reading Yandex spins out self-driving car unit from its Uber JV, invests $150M into newco
Author: Tech Crunch Online News
Volkswagen-backed QuantumScape to go public via SPAC to bring solid-state batteries to EVs
QuantumScape, the solid-state battery company backed by Volkswagen Group, has agreed to merge with a special purpose acquisition company Kensington Capital Acquisition Corp. as it aims to raise the capital it needs to commercialize solid-state batteries for electric vehicles. The merger will give QuantumScape a post-deal market valuation of $3.3 billion. QuantumScape said it was… Continue reading Volkswagen-backed QuantumScape to go public via SPAC to bring solid-state batteries to EVs
GM shifts Corvette engineering team to its electric and autonomous vehicle programs
GM is moving the engineering team responsible for the mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette to the company’s electric and autonomous vehicle programs to “push the boundaries” on what its future EV battery systems and components can deliver, according to an internal memo. The memo, sent by Doug Parks, GM’s executive vice president of global product development, purchasing… Continue reading GM shifts Corvette engineering team to its electric and autonomous vehicle programs
GM, Ford wrap up ventilator production and shift back to auto business
As the COVID-19 pandemic spread to the United States, a number of automakers and other manufacturers announced plans to retrofit factories to help ease the shortage of personal protective gear and ventilators. Now, two U.S. automakers have fulfilled their separate multi-million-dollar ventilator contracts — together delivering 80,000 of the devices to the U.S. government. General… Continue reading GM, Ford wrap up ventilator production and shift back to auto business
Tesla taps market rally keg, announces $5B stock sale
Tesla said Tuesday will sell up to $5 billion in new stock as the company seeks to take advantage of an unprecedented run up in its share price. Tesla will sell the shares from “time to time,” through an “at-the-market” offering program, the company said Tuesday in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange… Continue reading Tesla taps market rally keg, announces $5B stock sale
The Station: Luminar takes the SPAC path and Voyage lifts the hood on its next-gen robotaxi
The Station is a weekly newsletter dedicated to all things transportation. Sign up here — just click The Station — to receive it every Saturday in your inbox. Hello and welcome back to The Station, a newsletter dedicated to all the present and future ways people and packages move from Point A to Point B. I’ll… Continue reading The Station: Luminar takes the SPAC path and Voyage lifts the hood on its next-gen robotaxi
With $11 million in fresh capital, Bolt Bikes rebrands to Zoomo
Bolt Bikes, the electric bike platform marketed to gig economy delivery workers, has a new name and a fresh injection of $11 million in capital from a Series A funding round led by Australian Clean Energy Finance Corporation. The round also included equity from Hana Ventures and existing investors Maniv Mobility and Contrarian Ventures, together… Continue reading With $11 million in fresh capital, Bolt Bikes rebrands to Zoomo
The Station: Canoo paddles into the SPAC current and the next threat to micromobility
The Station is a weekly newsletter dedicated to all things transportation. Sign up here — just click The Station — to receive it every Saturday in your inbox. Hello and welcome back to The Station, a newsletter dedicated to all the present and future ways people and packages move from Point A to Point B. Let’s… Continue reading The Station: Canoo paddles into the SPAC current and the next threat to micromobility
Human Capital: What’s next in Uber and Lyft’s court battle and a look at board diversity in Silicon Valley
Welcome back to Human Capital, where we unpack the latest in diversity, equity and inclusion, and labor issues in the tech industry. In this week’s edition, we’re looking at the latest in Uber and Lyft’s court battle to keep their drivers classified as independent contractors, Pinterest’s well-timed announcement of a Black board member, overall board… Continue reading Human Capital: What’s next in Uber and Lyft’s court battle and a look at board diversity in Silicon Valley
Judge grants Uber and Lyft temporary stay in driver reclassification case
A California appeals court judge has granted Uber and Lyft’s emergency stay. This means the preliminary injunction that sought to force companies to reclassify their drivers as employees will not go into effect this Friday. The court is now reviewing Uber and Lyft’s appeal to overturn the trial court’s ruling. Oral arguments in the case… Continue reading Judge grants Uber and Lyft temporary stay in driver reclassification case