Nigerian freight logistics startup Kobo360 raised a $20 million Series A round led by Goldman Sachs and $10 million in working capital financing from Nigerian commercial banks. The company — with an Uber-like app that connects truckers and companies to delivery services — will use the funds to upgrade its platform and expand to 10 new countries beyond current… Continue reading Africa Roundup: Goldman backs Kobo360, Rwanda commits to EVs, Interswitch IPO update
Author: Tech Crunch Online News
Meet Olli 2.0, a 3D-printed autonomous shuttle
From afar, Olli resembles many of the “future is now!” electric autonomous shuttles that have popped up in recent years. The tall rectangular pod, with its wide-set headlights and expansive windows nestled between a rounded frame, gives the shuttle a friendly countenance that screams, ever so gently, “come along, take a ride.” But Olli is… Continue reading Meet Olli 2.0, a 3D-printed autonomous shuttle
VW Group to pay $96.5M to settle inflated fuel economy lawsuit
VW Group of America said Friday it has reached an agreement with thousands of U.S. customers over alleged inflated fuel economy information on about 98,000 gas-powered vehicles from its four brands, Audi, Bentley, Porsche and Volkswagen. The agreement involves alleged misinformation about fuel economy on 98,000 vehicles, or about 3.5% of the model year 2013-2017… Continue reading VW Group to pay $96.5M to settle inflated fuel economy lawsuit
Didi Chuxing to launch self-driving rides in Shanghai and expand them beyond China by 2021
Didi Chuxing will begin picking up ride-hailing passengers with self-driving cars in Shanghai in just a few months, according to company CTO Zhang Bo (via Reuters). The plan is to roll out autonomous pick-ups in Shanghai first, starting in one district of the city, and then expand the program from there – finally culminating in… Continue reading Didi Chuxing to launch self-driving rides in Shanghai and expand them beyond China by 2021
Uber and Lyft are putting $60 million toward keeping drivers independent contractors
In light of gig worker protection legislation Assembly Bill 5 making its way through California’s legislature, Uber and Lyft are amping up their efforts to do whatever they can to prevent it from happening. And in the event that the bill does pass, which would force Uber and Lyft to make their drivers W-2 employees,… Continue reading Uber and Lyft are putting $60 million toward keeping drivers independent contractors
Urbvan raises $9 million for its private shuttle service in Mexico
As cities in emerging markets grapple with increasingly traffic-clogged and dangerous streets, Urbvan, a startup providing private, high-end transportation shuttles in Mexico, has raised $9 million in a new round of financing. Co-founded by Joao Matos Albino and Renato Picard, Urbvan is taking the reins from startups like the now-defunct Chariot and tailoring the business… Continue reading Urbvan raises $9 million for its private shuttle service in Mexico
Porsche expands on-demand subscription plans to four more cities
Porsche is expanding two on-demand subscription programs to several more U.S. cities and into Canada. The German automaker announced Thursday it will expand to Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Diego and Toronto its monthly subscription program Porsche Passport and its shorter-term Porsche Drive plan. Both programs will continue to be offered in Atlanta through local dealers.… Continue reading Porsche expands on-demand subscription plans to four more cities
Uber proposes policy that would pay drivers a minimum wage of $21 per hour
On the heels of a driver-led protest outside Uber’s San Francisco headquarters, where drivers showed their support for gig worker protections legislation (via Assembly Bill 5) and demanded a union, Uber is circulating a petition urging people to “protect ridesharing in California.” In the petition, Uber advocates for a policy that would offer drivers a… Continue reading Uber proposes policy that would pay drivers a minimum wage of $21 per hour
Bestmile raises $16.5 million to manage human and AI-driven fleets
Bestmile, a transportation software startup, has raised $16.5 million in a Series B round led by Blue Lagoon Capital and TransLink Capital. Existing investors Road Ventures, Partech, Groupe ADP, Airbus Ventures, Serena and others also participated in the round. The company, which launched in 2014, has raised $31 million to date. Bestmile has developed fleet… Continue reading Bestmile raises $16.5 million to manage human and AI-driven fleets
Autonomous air transport startup Elroy Air completes first flights of large cargo VTOL
SF-based Elroy Air hopes to transform bulk air cargo shipping with its ‘Chapparal’ vertical take-off and landing craft, the first version of which will be able to carry 250 lbs of cargo as far as 300 miles. The startup, which was founded in 2016 by experienced professionals with track records of working in UAS (uncrewed… Continue reading Autonomous air transport startup Elroy Air completes first flights of large cargo VTOL