Google is introducing combo navigation directions that pair ridesharing and biking options with transit guidance. Starting today, when you search from directions using Google Maps and select the ‘transit’ tap, you’ll see ridesharing options included when the nearest station is a bit further than most people might expect to go on foot. Similarly, you’ll also… Continue reading Google Maps adds biking and ridesharing options to transit directions for multi-mode commutes
Author: Tech Crunch Online News
Ford says its autonomous cars will last just four years
The automotive industry has embraced — and advertised — self-driving cars as a kind of panacea that will solve numerous problems that modern society is grappling with right now, from congestion to safety to productivity (you can work while riding!). Unfortunately, a very big question that has been almost entirely overlooked is: how long will… Continue reading Ford says its autonomous cars will last just four years
Porsche Taycan sets fastest 4-door electric car record at Nürburgring Nordschleife
Porsche’s upcoming all-electric Taycan has set a narrow, yet notable record lap time at the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife test track in Germany. The company said Monday the Porsche Taycan, which will debut Sept, 4., completed the 12.8-mile course in 7 minutes and 42 seconds. This is the fastest lap for a four-door electric vehicle. The… Continue reading Porsche Taycan sets fastest 4-door electric car record at Nürburgring Nordschleife
Driving Volkswagen’s all-electric ID Buggy concept
The VW electric ID Buggy concept is delightful and bright, stout and smiling. It’s a vehicle fit for the sunshine and sand dunes, or perhaps a less committing slow roll along the beach. And so my first drive in a prototype of the all-electric buggy — along the coast near Spanish Bay in Monterey, Calif.,… Continue reading Driving Volkswagen’s all-electric ID Buggy concept
Trump adds tariffs to $550 billion of Chinese imports in trade war reprisal
President Trump announced Friday on Twitter that tariffs on Chinese imports will increase 5 percentage points in a tit-for-tat response to China’s own plans to place new duties on U.S. goods. About $250 billion of goods produced by China and imported into the U.S. already have a 25% tariff. This newest increase will push tariffs… Continue reading Trump adds tariffs to $550 billion of Chinese imports in trade war reprisal
Watch a Waymo self-driving car test its sensors in a haboob
Waymo, the self-driving car company under Alphabet, has been testing in the suburbs of Phoenix for several years now. And while the sunny metropolis might seem like the ideal and easiest location to test autonomous vehicle technology, there are times when the desert becomes a dangerous place for any driver — human or computer. The… Continue reading Watch a Waymo self-driving car test its sensors in a haboob
On-demand parking startup SpotHero raises $50 million
SpotHero, the Chicago-based company that has developed an on-demand parking app, has raised $50 million in a Series D round led by Macquarie Capital. Union Grove Venture Partners participated in the round, along with existing investors including Insight Venture Partners, Global Founders Capital, OCA Ventures, AutoTech Ventures and others, according to the company. SpotHero has… Continue reading On-demand parking startup SpotHero raises $50 million
Porsche invests in ‘low visibility’ sensor startup TriEye
Porsche’s venture arm has acquired a minority stake in TriEye, an Israeli startup that’s working on a sensor technology to help vehicle driver-assistance and self-driving systems see better in poor weather conditions like dust, fog and rain. The strategic investment is part of a Series A financing round that has been expanded to $19 million.… Continue reading Porsche invests in ‘low visibility’ sensor startup TriEye
Volocopter reveals its first commercial aircraft, the VoloCity air taxi
It’s a race to the skies in terms of which company actually deploys an on-demand air taxi service based around electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft – for its part, German startup Volocopter is taking another key step with the revelation of its first aircraft designed for actual commercial use, the VoloCity. The VoloCity is… Continue reading Volocopter reveals its first commercial aircraft, the VoloCity air taxi
DoorDash acquires autonomous driving startup Scotty Labs
DoorDash has been on an acquisition tear of late, with Scotty Labs as its latest target. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but this comes after DoorDash acquired Caviar in a deal worth $410 million. Scotty Labs, a tele-operations company that is working on technology to enable people to remotely control self-driving cars, raised… Continue reading DoorDash acquires autonomous driving startup Scotty Labs