Google Emails Show Internal Concern Over Losing Driverless Lead

Three years ago, the head of Google’s self-driving car project emailed co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin to sound an alarm. “Over the last six months we have stopped playing to win and instead are now playing to minimize downside,” Chris Urmson wrote. The source of his worry: Uber. That missive from Urmson, who left… Continue reading Google Emails Show Internal Concern Over Losing Driverless Lead

Ford CEO Jim Hackett on the future of computing, cities, and self-driving cars

In May 2017, Ford announced that it had replaced its CEO, Mark Fields, who had been with the company since 1989, with Jim Hackett. Despite being on Ford’s board since 2013, Hackett was probably best known for leading Steelcase, the large office-furniture company, for decades and turning around its fortunes, as well as for working… Continue reading Ford CEO Jim Hackett on the future of computing, cities, and self-driving cars

Sidewalk Labs spinoff Coord aims to connect navigation apps, public transit and ride-sharing services

A loading zone in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood. (Flickr Photo / SDOT) Over the past year, analysts from a Sidewalk Labs spinout called Coord have been playing a game of “would you rather?” with Seattle drivers. Would you rather shoot for rockstar parking downtown, knowing you may have to circle the block a few times, or… Continue reading Sidewalk Labs spinoff Coord aims to connect navigation apps, public transit and ride-sharing services

Uber Rival Lyft Opens First European Office

Uber Rival Lyft Opens First European Office  BloombergLyft opens its first European hub to develop autonomous car tech  VentureBeatOne way to protect the CTA from Uber, Lyft: Use tech  Crain’s Chicago BusinessTurns Out Uber and Lyft Might Not Be Ruining the American City  WIREDFull coverage

VW Customers Don’t Give a Monkeys about Diesel Cheating Animal Testing

A bizarre incident involving the testing of diesel exhaust fumes on a group of cartoon-watching monkeys, and possibly humans too, has catapulted the Volkswagen AG emissions scandal back onto newspaper front pages. But public outrage, though warranted, may well ring hollow this time. When Volkswagen admitted rigging about 11 million vehicle engines in 2015, I assumed the German… Continue reading VW Customers Don’t Give a Monkeys about Diesel Cheating Animal Testing

Addison Lee’s private minicab app goes global

Addison Lee is trying to shake off its image as a London-focused taxi service and re-establish itself as a ride-hailing app that works around the world. Today, the company announced a “digital global service” that anyone can use to book minicabs in over 100 cities worldwide. In some locations, that will mean Addison-owned vehicles, but… Continue reading Addison Lee’s private minicab app goes global