City navigation and public transit app Citymapper is ending the program it called ‘Citymapper Ride,’ which has gone through a number of incarnations since its introduction back in 2017. Since then, the company has gone from running bus one route in London designed to supplement a need for customers that wasn’t currently well-addressed by existing… Continue reading Citymapper is shutting down its efforts to reinvent the bus
Author: Tech Crunch Online News
Uber unveils new Volvo self-driving vehicle in a step toward robotaxi service
Uber Advanced Technologies Group unveiled Wednesday a new generation of self-driving Volvo XC90 SUVs that are designed and built to be fully driverless, a critical milepost for the company as it inches toward deployment of a robotaxi service. Volvo and Uber have developed several prototypes since entering into a joint engineering partnership in September 2016.… Continue reading Uber unveils new Volvo self-driving vehicle in a step toward robotaxi service
VW’s partnership with self-driving car startup Aurora has ended
A partnership between Volkswagen and self-driving vehicle startup Aurora has ended, according to a report by the Financial Times, citing three people familiar with the matter. A spokesperson from VW confirmed the news, telling TechCrunch that “activities under our partnership have been concluded.” VW did not provide any further details. Aurora didn’t provide any details… Continue reading VW’s partnership with self-driving car startup Aurora has ended
Tesla might get into the mining business to secure minerals for electric batteries
Tesla might get into the business of mining minerals used in electric vehicle batteries if it wants to expand its product lineup and scale production, CEO Elon Musk said during the company’s annual shareholder meeting. The comments came after Musk talked about plans for an electric pickup truck and an aim to begin production of… Continue reading Tesla might get into the mining business to secure minerals for electric batteries
Tesla completing ‘small acquisition’ which will help launch its insurance product
Tesla CEO Elon Musk says that the company is in the process of completing a “small acquisition” that will help it release its own insurance product, something it said in April that it was only around “a month” away from bringing to market. One month is at least two months when translated from Musk-time to… Continue reading Tesla completing ‘small acquisition’ which will help launch its insurance product
Elon Musk calls it ‘financially insane’ to buy a car that isn’t an EV capable of full self-driving
During the Tesla Annual Shareholders Meeting that took place on Tuesday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk didn’t mince words when he talked about what he thinks of the value proposition of traditional fossil fuel vehicles. He called it “financially insane” to buy any car that isn’t an electric car capable of full autonomy – which, conveniently,… Continue reading Elon Musk calls it ‘financially insane’ to buy a car that isn’t an EV capable of full self-driving
Sense Photonics flashes onto the lidar scene with a new approach and $26M
Lidar is a critical part of many autonomous cars and robotic systems, but the technology is also evolving quickly. A new company called Sense Photonics just emerged from stealth mode today with a $26M A round, touting a whole new approach that allows for an ultra-wide field of view and (literally) flexible installation. Still in… Continue reading Sense Photonics flashes onto the lidar scene with a new approach and $26M
Over 1,400 self-driving vehicles are now in testing by 80+ companies across the U.S.
In a talk at the Uber Elevate summit in Washington, D.C., today, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao shared a total overall figure for ongoing testing of autonomous vehicles on U.S roads: Over 1,400 self-driving cars, trucks and other vehicles are currently in testing by over 80 companies across 36 US states, plus DC… Continue reading Over 1,400 self-driving vehicles are now in testing by 80+ companies across the U.S.
Uber and AT&T team up for always-on connectivity for Uber Copter and Uber Air
Uber is partnering with mobile network operator AT&T on the always-on connectivity it’ll require for its aerial transportation service network. The on-demand mobility company announced the team-up at its annual Elevate Summit, which brings together a number of key players working toward making affordable, accessible in-city aerial transit a reality. Uber said that it’s already… Continue reading Uber and AT&T team up for always-on connectivity for Uber Copter and Uber Air
Uber envisions Uber Air will one day be cheaper than owning a car
Uber has big dreams for Uber Air, the flying taxi service it’s wanting to launch in 2023. At the third annual Uber Elevate, head of Elevate Eric Allison said the company expects Uber Air to be cheaper than driving a car. It surely won’t be that way on day one, but once Uber deploys fully… Continue reading Uber envisions Uber Air will one day be cheaper than owning a car