Uber might be backing out of SEA but is making sure to stay in London & more

Uber might be backing out of SEA but is making sure to stay in London & more Welcome to our weekly urban mobility news digest — this week we are trying something new: we’ll present you last week’s most important news in a short single-story read. Let us know what you think, whether you like it or would… Continue reading Uber might be backing out of SEA but is making sure to stay in London & more

Uber parks its service in Morocco

Uber is pulling the brakes on its service in Morocco, which will cease on February 23, as it waits (and hopes) for local regulators to accommodate app-based ride-hailing. The company announced the move on its country blog yesterday, writing that it has “not had any clarity” on how its service can be integrated into the… Continue reading Uber parks its service in Morocco

CORRECTED-UPDATE 3-Japan’s Sony to form alliance to build taxi-hailing system

TOKYO (Reuters) – Sony Corp said on Tuesday it would become the latest blue-chip firm to jockey for position in Japan’s taxi and ride-hailing market, with plans for a joint venture to develop an artificial intelligence-based hailing system. The partnership is the latest in a growing array of tie-ups between domestic taxi firms and tech… Continue reading CORRECTED-UPDATE 3-Japan’s Sony to form alliance to build taxi-hailing system

Sony Corp. to launch an AI-based taxi-hailing service in Japan

Sony Corporation said today that it will build an AI-based ride-hailing system in Japan in partnership with five taxi companies. The service will use artificial intelligence to manage taxi dispatches and forecast demand based on factors like weather, traffic and local events. Sony’s announcement came just before Uber chief executive officer Dara Khosrowshahi, who is… Continue reading Sony Corp. to launch an AI-based taxi-hailing service in Japan

Uber CEO sees commercialisation of flying taxis in 5-10 years

TOKYO (Reuters) – Uber Technologies Inc Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi said on Tuesday he can see commercialization of the Uber Air flying taxi service happening within five to 10 years. The U.S. ride-hailing app maker has said it expects flying vehicles to eventually become an affordable method of mass transportation. Khosrowshahi was speaking at… Continue reading Uber CEO sees commercialisation of flying taxis in 5-10 years

Careem acquires Middle East online restaurant listing platform, to trial food delivery

DUBAI (Reuters) – Careem, a Middle East competitor to Uber Technologies [UBER.UL], said on Sunday it had acquired RoundMenu and would start trialing food delivery services through the restaurant listing and reservation online platform this month. The Dubai-based ride hailing firm acquired the website and app for an undisclosed sum. “Careem will begin testing a… Continue reading Careem acquires Middle East online restaurant listing platform, to trial food delivery

Waymo Gets the O.K. for a Commercial Driverless Ride-Hailing Service

The first U.S. commercial ride-hailing service without human drivers has been approved. Waymo, a unit of Alphabet Inc., got a permit in late January from the Arizona Department of Transportation to operate as a Transportation Network Company, according to Ryan Harding, a spokesman at the state agency. The designation lets Waymo’s fleet of driverless Chrysler… Continue reading Waymo Gets the O.K. for a Commercial Driverless Ride-Hailing Service

Waymo gets OK for driverless ride-hailing service

Waymo plans to start commercial, driverless service in Phoenix this year. (Photo: Waymo) The first U.S. commercial ride-hailing service without human drivers has been approved. Waymo, a unit of Alphabet Inc., got a permit in late January from the Arizona Department of Transportation to operate as a Transportation Network Company, according to Ryan Harding, a… Continue reading Waymo gets OK for driverless ride-hailing service

Uber is reportedly preparing to sell its Southeast Asian business to Grab

Uber is preparing to sell its Southeast Asian business to Grab in exchange for a stake in the Singaporean ride-sharing company that has a big presence in that region, according to a new report from CNBC. This wouldn’t be an unfamiliar story for Uber, which was handily beaten by Didi in China before eventually caving… Continue reading Uber is reportedly preparing to sell its Southeast Asian business to Grab

Self-Driving Cars Need Standardized Software to Avoid Crashes

Fans of self-driving cars will have breathed a sigh of relief at the news that Uber and Google’s Waymo, two giants in the industry, have settled their intellectual-property lawsuit. This removes a huge distraction for companies, and freeing them up to focus on their own research. So that’s good. Driverless cars will be an incredible… Continue reading Self-Driving Cars Need Standardized Software to Avoid Crashes