China is BMW’s largest market, and the German automaker knows in order to capture the country’s demanding consumers, its future models must support robust autonomous driving capability. But to build it itself in China is hardly possible. The success of autonomous driving relies in part on high-definition mapping, a process that requires an expansive collection… Continue reading After Baidu tie-up, BMW taps Tencent for autonomous driving in China
Author: Tech Crunch Online News
Tesla’s new V3 Supercharger can charge up to 1,500 electric vehicles a day
Tesla has opened a massive next-generation electric vehicle charging station in Las Vegas that combines the company’s core products into one sustainable energy ecosystem, fulfilling a vision CEO Elon Musk laid out nearly three years ago. The new V3 Supercharger, which supports a peak rate of up to 250 kilowatts, is designed to dramatically cut… Continue reading Tesla’s new V3 Supercharger can charge up to 1,500 electric vehicles a day
Toyota locks in more than a supply of EV batteries in deal with China’s CATL
Toyota needs more than a secure and steady supply of batteries if it hopes to meet its ambitious global sales goal for electric vehicles. If it hopes to compete, the Japanese automaker will need better quality lithium-ion batteries that don’t squeeze profit margins. The automaker is turning to Chinese EV battery supplier CATL for the… Continue reading Toyota locks in more than a supply of EV batteries in deal with China’s CATL
Peloton’s new automated vehicle system gives one driver control of two trucks
The trucking world has been inundated in recent years by startups and large companies alike pitching an array of automated driving technology and business strategies, all aiming to solve the big three problems with freight: safety, fuel costs and driver shortages. For Peloton Technology, a Silicon Valley company that launched in 2011, the answer doesn’t… Continue reading Peloton’s new automated vehicle system gives one driver control of two trucks
Peer-to-peer car sharing marketplace Turo raises $250M at over $1B valuation from IAC
Car-sharing startup Turo has raised $250 million in a Series E round of funding from IAC, the internet media company that owned and spun out Match.com, and OKCupid. This round pushes Turo into Unicorn territory, with its valuation now “past the billion-dollar” mark according to Turo CEO Andre Haddad. This late round of funding brings… Continue reading Peer-to-peer car sharing marketplace Turo raises $250M at over $1B valuation from IAC
One of Uber’s flying taxi partners just raised a $25 million Series A round
Uber Air, the transportation company’s upcoming flying taxi service, needs vehicle partners in order to make it a reality. Karem Aircraft, which Uber partnered with last year, has just raised a $25 million Series A round for its new air taxi spin-off. The round was led by Korean industrial conglomerate Hanwha Systems. “Karem’s technology for… Continue reading One of Uber’s flying taxi partners just raised a $25 million Series A round
Voyant Photonics raises $4.3M to fit lidar on the head of a pin
Lidar is a critical method by which robots and autonomous vehicles sense the world around them, but the lasers and sensors generally take up a considerable amount of space. Not so with Voyant Photonics, which has created a lidar system that you really could conceivably balance on the head of a pin. Before getting into… Continue reading Voyant Photonics raises $4.3M to fit lidar on the head of a pin
Luminar eyes production vehicles with $100M round and new Iris lidar platform
Luminar is one of the major players in the new crop of lidar companies that have sprung up all over the world, and it’s moving fast to outpace its peers. Today the company announced a new $100 million funding round, bringing its total raised to more than $250 million — as well as a perception… Continue reading Luminar eyes production vehicles with $100M round and new Iris lidar platform
Yandex-Uber JV MLU acquires regional rival Vezet for shares and $71.5M in cash
On-demand transportation giant Uber made its name in part by aggressively entering new markets on a path of organic growth, but in recent times, it has shown itself more amenable to the concept of expansion through acquisition. Today, MLU, Uber’s ride-sharing and food delivery JV with Yandex (by way of Yandex.taxi) covering cities in Russia… Continue reading Yandex-Uber JV MLU acquires regional rival Vezet for shares and $71.5M in cash
Hellobike, survivor of China’s bike-sharing craze, goes electric
Just two years ago, investors were heavily pouring money into China’s dockless bike-sharing startups. Now that boom has busted with derelict bikes littering the streets of cities. Meanwhile, a new race has started for two-wheelers with motors — and one of the main players is a survivor from the bike-sharing craze. Blessed with fundings from… Continue reading Hellobike, survivor of China’s bike-sharing craze, goes electric