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UPDATE 4-Tesla says robotaxis coming next year, touts self-driving microchip

(Reuters) – Chief Executive Elon Musk said Tesla Inc robotaxis with no human drivers would be available in some markets next year thanks to exponential improvements in technology. FILE PHOTO: A Tesla logo is seen in Los Angeles, California U.S. January 12, 2018. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson “Probably two years from now we’ll make a car with… Continue reading UPDATE 4-Tesla says robotaxis coming next year, touts self-driving microchip

Smartphone-based customization coming to Hyundai and Kia electric cars

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Hyundai-Kia smartphone-based EV performance settings
Fully electric cars have a great potential to be customized and personalized, to a level that’s not entirely possible with gasoline models.

Unlike anything with a tailpipe, EVs don’t have to go through reams of emissions-test paperwork every time some of the basic parameters are changed.

Hyundai Motor Group (which includes Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis) revealed Monday an app that will give drivers more than just eco and sport modes and a few levels of brake regeneration. And this will almost certainly arrive without voiding your warranty as you might with similar types of modifications to gasoline vehicles.

DON’T MISS: Hyundai-Kia: eight EVs by 2022, dedicated platform

The technology, which lacks a clever name so far, is being called “smartphone electric vehicle pairing based performance adjustment technology.” And from the sound of it, it’s what that name suggests—letting users customize a greater depth of performance characteristics via a smartphone-app dashboard.

Hyundai-Kia smartphone-based EV performance settings

What could make this feature standout is the ability for users to easily carry their customized vehicle settings from car to car, via a profile downloaded from a server (using blockchain encryption).

So if you’re a part of a car-sharing fleet, or have multiple plug-in Kia or Hyundai vehicles in a household, each vehicle would automatically grab that profile from your phone. And, although it isn't confirmed in the press release, the software could probably unlock and start the vehicle as a key as well.

CHECK OUT: Hyundai and Kia reveal solar roof tech for electric cars—or gasoline ones

Through the app, which will be paired directly to the vehicle, the owner will be able to adjust performance- and efficiency-related features, including the maximum torque output of the motor, regenerative braking capability, maximum speed, and acceleration and deceleration behavior.

The app will also be able to analyze remaining distance on a charge and suggest the right settings for remaining range. Another feature in the app will allow drivers to try other users’ custom settings, or to follow recommended settings from Hyundai based “on the condition of roads.”

Hyundai-Kia smartphone-based EV performance settings

Hyundai Motor Group confirmed that the tech is in the works for future Hyundai and Kia vehicles. Although it didn’t confirm any compatible models yet, it’s shown in photos accompanying the 2020 Kia Soul EV.

READ MORE: Finalist for Best Car to Buy 2019: Hyundai Kona Electric

The company is planning 23 electric vehicles and 44 “eco-friendly models” by 2025, and it teases that we’ll be seeing plenty more opportunities for customization in them.

Such a strategy sounds like a win-win, as it would simultaneously provide more control for enthusiasts who want it, as well as more ways for the general market to discover some of the superior points of EVs.

Report: Battery shortages lead to Audi E-tron production delays

2019 Audi e-tron first drive – Abu Dhabi UAE, December 2018
Building electric cars is harder than it looks.

According to a report last week in the Brussels Times, Audi is delaying the production of its planned E-tron Sportback and slowing production of its E-tron SUV following battery shortages from supplier LG Chem.

The factory that builds the e-tron has cut back from eight hours of production a day to six, and is reported to be planning to cut back from running five days a week to four, leading to a day of unemployment for workers there. The moves would cut production of the long-awaited electric car by 10,000 cars annually, from more than 55,000 to just over 45,000 in 2019, according to the Brussels Times. In the report, Audi declined to comment on the delay.

READ MORE: Report: Audi e-tron faces battery-related delay in Europe

Many automakers ramping up production of plug-in hybrids and electric cars depend on LG Chem for cells, including Hyundai, Volkswagen, General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW. LG's dominance in supplying batteries to electric cars gives it power to control prices.

A report last year by Germany's Bild am Sonntag newspaper suggested that LG Chem raised prices on its batteries for the Audi E-tron by 10 percent, leading to the production shortage.

DON'T MISS: 2019 Audi e-tron first drive: Redrawing the electric-vehicle boundaries

Waiting lists for the car in Europe have reportedly expanded from 4-5 months to 6-7 months, as demand has also increased by 15 percent. Audi's Belgian spokeswoman Sofie Luyckx told the Brussels Times, that is “not an exceptional waiting time for an all-new Audi.”

At the New York auto show last week, Audi E-tron product manager Matt Mostafaei said that the company has U.S. orders for the car, which is expected to go on sale here in May, but would not specify how many.

The delays could also be impacted by a shortage of the car's electric motors following a strike at the Hungarian factory that produces the motors.

CHECK OUT: Audi details battery for 2019 e-tron electric SUV

The reports say the introduction of the E-tron Sportback, a smaller hatchback version of the E-tron SUV, has also been delayed from late this year to 2020.

Audi is planning a whole line of electric E-tron models, including the SUV, the Sportback, the e-tron GT sports sedan, a new smaller Q4 E-tron SUV, and reportedly a new E-tron GTR supercar to replace its R8 flagship, according to a new report in British auto journal Car.

If it's going to fulfill all those dreams, the company will need to secure a large and reliable source of batteries and, if these hiccups are any indication, it still might not have that.

UPDATE 3-Tesla touts power of self-driving microchip in cars, working on software

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Chief Executive Elon Musk unveiled on Monday a microchip for self-driving vehicles that the electric car company hopes will give Tesla Inc an edge over rivals. FILE PHOTO: A Tesla logo is seen in Los Angeles, California U.S. January 12, 2018. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson Musk invited investors and analysts to its Silicon… Continue reading UPDATE 3-Tesla touts power of self-driving microchip in cars, working on software

India’s bike rental startup Bounce raises $3m from Innoven Capital

April 22, 2019 Two-wheeler rental startup Bounce has raised $3 million in debt funding from Innoven Capital, according to a company statement on Monday. This is Bounce’s second round of funding from the InnoVen, taking their total debt investment to $6 million. Till date, the company has raised over $22.5 million across two rounds. Mint… Continue reading India’s bike rental startup Bounce raises $3m from Innoven Capital

UPDATE 2-Tesla reveals computer chip at heart of self-driving initiative

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Tesla Inc unveiled on Monday technical details on the computer chip at the center of its self-driving strategy as Chief Executive Elon Musk tries to show that the electric car maker’s massive investment in the sector will pay off. FILE PHOTO: A Tesla logo is seen in Los Angeles, California U.S.… Continue reading UPDATE 2-Tesla reveals computer chip at heart of self-driving initiative

UPDATE 2-Nissan to reject new integration proposal from Renault – Nikkei

TOKYO (Reuters) – Nissan Motor Co Ltd will reject a management integration proposal from French partner Renault SA and will call for an equal capital relationship, the Nikkei newspaper said on Monday, citing sources. FILE PHOTO: Renault CEO Thierry Bollore, Renault Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard, Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa, Mitsubishi Motors Chairman and CEO Osamu Masuko… Continue reading UPDATE 2-Nissan to reject new integration proposal from Renault – Nikkei