Grab — the on-demand transportation app worth $14 billion that is the Uber of Southeast Asia — today announced how it would be using some of the $7 billion or so that it has raised to date: $2 billion provided by SoftBank is being earmarked Grab’s operations in Indonesia — the biggest economy in Southeast… Continue reading SoftBank pumps $2B into Indonesia through Grab investment, putting it head to head with Gojek
Author: Tech Crunch Online News
Gatik’s self-driving vans have started shuttling groceries for Walmart
Gatik AI, the autonomous vehicle startup that’s aiming for the sweet middle spot in the world of logistics, is officially on the road through a partnership with Walmart. The company received approval from the Arkansas Highway Commissioner’s office to launch a commercial service with Walmart. Gatik’s autonomous vehicles (with a human safety driver behind the… Continue reading Gatik’s self-driving vans have started shuttling groceries for Walmart
Startups Weekly: SoftBank’s second act
Hello and welcome back to Startups Weekly, a weekend newsletter that dives into the week’s noteworthy startups and venture capital news. Before I jump into today’s topic, let’s catch up a bit. Last week, I noted some challenges plaguing mental health tech startups. Before that, I wrote about Zoom and Superhuman’s PR disasters. Remember, you… Continue reading Startups Weekly: SoftBank’s second act
Africa’s ride-hail markets are hot spots for startups and VC
When it comes to VC, vehicles, and startups, Africa’s ride-hail markets are becoming a multi-wheeled and global affair. The big players such as Uber and Bolt are competing in Kampala and Nairobi—where in addition to car-service—they offer rickshaw taxis. On-demand motorcycle startups are multiplying and piloting EVs with funds from international partners. And many ride-hail companies in Africa… Continue reading Africa’s ride-hail markets are hot spots for startups and VC
How top VCs view the new future of micromobility
Earlier this month, TechCrunch held its annual Mobility Sessions event, where leading mobility-focused auto companies, startups, executives and thought leaders joined us to discuss all things autonomous vehicle technology, micromobility and electric vehicles. Extra Crunch is offering members access to full transcripts key panels and conversations from the event, including our panel on micromobility where… Continue reading How top VCs view the new future of micromobility
Waymo and DeepMind mimic evolution to develop a new, better way to train self-driving AI
Alphabet’s autonomous driving and robotaxi company Waymo does a lot of training in order to refine and improve the artificial intelligence that powers its self-driving software. Recently, it teamed up with fellow Alphabet company and AI specialist DeepMind to develop new training methods that would help make its training better and more efficient. The two… Continue reading Waymo and DeepMind mimic evolution to develop a new, better way to train self-driving AI
SpaceX untethered StarHopper ‘hop’ test flight aborted after engines briefly flare
SpaceX encountered a snag in an attempted test key to the development of its next-generation Starship spacecraft. Specifically, the StarHopper sub scale demonstration and testing craft it’s using to work on the Starthip’s propulsion system fails to undertake its first untethered test flight at a testing site in Boca Chica Beach in Texas, The plan… Continue reading SpaceX untethered StarHopper ‘hop’ test flight aborted after engines briefly flare
Tesla focuses on service with 25 new service centers in Q2, rate of new openings to ‘increase’
Tesla is set to aggressively ramp up the rate at which it opens new service facilities, according to CEO Elon Musk’s guidance on the company’s Q2 2019 earnings call. In total, Tesla opened 25 new service centers during the quarter, and added 100 new service vehicles to its existing fleet — which is in contrast… Continue reading Tesla focuses on service with 25 new service centers in Q2, rate of new openings to ‘increase’
Tesla co-founder and CTO JB Straubel stepping down
Tesla co-founder and CTO JB Straubel is stepping down from his day-to-day role as an executive at the automaker, CEO Elon Musk announced during a conference call with analysts Wednesday. Drew Baglino, vice president of technology, will take over his duties, Musk said. Straubel will stay on in a senior advisor role. “I want to… Continue reading Tesla co-founder and CTO JB Straubel stepping down
Postmates’ self-driving delivery rover will see with Ouster’s lidar
Postmates’ cooler-inspired autonomous delivery robot, which will roll out commercially in Los Angeles later this year, will rely on lidar sensors from Ouster, a burgeoning two-year-old startup that recently raised $60 million in equity and debt funding. Postmates unveiled the first generation of its self-described “autonomous rover” — known as Serve — late last year.… Continue reading Postmates’ self-driving delivery rover will see with Ouster’s lidar