On the heels of Hyundai becoming the latest investor in Ola, today another key deal was revealed that underscores Hyundai’s ambitions in next-generation automotive services. Yandex, the Russian search giant that has been working on self-driving car technology, has inked a partnership with Hyundai to develop software and hardware for autonomous car systems. While companies like… Continue reading Yandex inks deal with Hyundai to build self-driving car tech for its Mobis OEM division
Author: Tech Crunch Online News
Lidar startup Ouster raises $60 million in production run-up
Ouster has raised $60 million as the San Francisco-based lidar startup opens a new facility that will have the capacity to assemble and ship several thousand sensors a month by the end of 2019. The new factory, which will have a grand opening ceremony March 28, currently produces hundreds of sensors per month. Ouster says… Continue reading Lidar startup Ouster raises $60 million in production run-up
Flying taxi startup Blade is helping Silicon Valley CEOs bypass traffic
One year after a $38 million Series B valued on-demand aviation startup Blade at $140 million, the company has begun taxiing the Bay Area’s elite. As part of a new pilot program, Blade has given 200 people in San Francisco and Silicon Valley exclusive access to its mobile app, allowing them to book helicopters, private… Continue reading Flying taxi startup Blade is helping Silicon Valley CEOs bypass traffic
How Nuro plans to spend Softbank’s money
Autonomous delivery startup Nuro is bursting with ideas since SoftBank invested nearly $1 billion in February, new filings reveal. A recent patent application details how its R1 self-driving vehicle could carry smaller robots to cross lawns or climb stairs to drop off packages. The company has even taken the step of trademarking the name “Fido”… Continue reading How Nuro plans to spend Softbank’s money
Elon Musk defends tweets in SEC’s contempt proceedings
Tesla CEO Elon Musk argued Friday that his Twitter use did not violate a settlement agreement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and that the agency’s request to have him held in contempt is based on a “radical interpretation” of the order, according to court papers filed in Manhattan federal court. The SEC has asked… Continue reading Elon Musk defends tweets in SEC’s contempt proceedings
Gates-backed Lumotive upends lidar conventions using metamaterials
Pretty much every self-driving car on the road, not to mention many a robot and drone, uses lidar to sense its surroundings. But useful as lidar is, it also involves physical compromises that limit its capabilities. Lumotive is a new company with funding from Bill Gates and Intellectual Ventures that uses metamaterials to exceed those… Continue reading Gates-backed Lumotive upends lidar conventions using metamaterials
GM investing $300 million to build a new electric Chevy in the U.S.
GM announced Friday it will invest $300 million into a Michigan factory to produce a new Chevrolet electric vehicle, reversing a decision to build the EV outside of the United States. The announcement comes on the heels of recent job cuts and plant closures by GM, moves that have complicated bargaining with union workers over… Continue reading GM investing $300 million to build a new electric Chevy in the U.S.
Indonesia’s Kargo comes out of stealth with $7.6M from Travis Kalanick, Sequoia and others
Travis Kalanick may be busy cooking up a cloud kitchen business, but that hasn’t stopped the former Uber CEO’s VC fund from making its first investment in Southeast Asia. 10100, the firm that Kalanick launched last year for investments in Asia, just took part in a $7.6 million seed round for Kargo, an early-stage “Uber… Continue reading Indonesia’s Kargo comes out of stealth with $7.6M from Travis Kalanick, Sequoia and others
Postmates’ newest feature is like Uber POOL for food delivery
Postmates is launching a new feature called Postmates Party that lets customers within the same neighborhood pool their orders. In return, these customers get the food delivered for free, eliminating a major pinch point for potential Postmates users. The feature illustrates how Postmates, one of the earlier entrants to the billion-dollar food delivery wars, is… Continue reading Postmates’ newest feature is like Uber POOL for food delivery
Uber Freight is expanding into Europe
Uber Freight, the newly spun out Uber business unit that helps truck drivers connect with shipping companies, is kicking off its global expansion plans. The company said Wednesday it is launching the app in Europe, starting with the Netherlands. Local carriers and drivers will be able to book and move their first loads with Uber… Continue reading Uber Freight is expanding into Europe