Automaker’s original electric gets a boost in power and range to keep up with rivals. Hyundai has given its Ioniq Electric some attention – and arguably not a moment too soon. An updated Ioniq range of hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, along with the Electric, were announced Thursday in a bid to give it some… Continue reading Hyundai Ioniq Electric Gets Boosted Range, Stronger Motor, New Look
Tag: Mobility
Velodyne Challenges Tesla Autonomy Claims
Velodyne Challenges Tesla Autonomy ClaimsMay 2, 2019|In Media Coverage|By Albie Jarvis
The Alpha Puck by Velodyne Lidar
Media turned to the industry leader for expert comments when
Tesla founder Elon Musk dismissed the need for lidar in self-driving vehicles.
Velodyne’s President and CBDO Marta Hall took a strong stand
that challenged Tesla to publish test results and comparisons to back up Musk’s
claims.
In a story
by Cromwell Schubarth in the Silicon Valley Business Journal, Hall said, “Tesla’s
claim that its Autopilot feature is ‘almost autonomous’ is untrue.”
The article cites Hall as saying:
“Not until we see published test results and comparisons
that a Tesla can ‘see just fine,’ without a Lidar, can claims be trusted.
Without lidar, the system is missing crucial 3D vision with 3D data points for
collision avoidance and advanced autonomous navigation. Musk brought us
innovation, but not quality when it comes to safety.”
Other media also picked up on Hall’s commentary.
Sasha Lekach wrote in a Mashable
story how Hall “shredded Musk’s ‘claims’ about deploying Teslas without a
driver and without ‘lame’ LiDAR sensors.”
The Mashable story noted Velodyne has invited Musk to speak
at the World Safety
Summit to discuss any evidence behind his claims.
In a SlashGear
article, Chris Davies observed how the news that Nikon will begin mass
production of Velodyne sensors “could well represent a tipping point” to having
“Level 4 or Level 5 vehicles roaming public roads,” countering Musk’s claim
lidar sensors are unnecessary.
Independent industry experts recognize lidar as essential
sensor technology for vehicle autonomy and driver assistance. Lidar provides
rich computer perception data that allows real-time object and free space
detection for safe navigation and reliable operation.
All the stories can be read here:
Silicon Valley Business Journal
Mashable
SlashGear
For Velodyne Lidar products click HERE
TransitScreen Raises $3M in Funding
TransitScreen, a Washington, DC-based provider of real-time transportation information software, closed a $3m funding round. Backers included Timia Capital. bringing the total to The company, which has raised $6.1m in total funding, intends to use the funds to enhance the capabilities of its mobile app CityMotion, continue hiring and increase its office space in Washington,… Continue reading TransitScreen Raises $3M in Funding
Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) business is booming in India
As the population in India grows, so does the need for more mobility companies. India is home to 1.3 billion people, making it the country with the second largest population in the world. Experts at Urban Transport News believe India’s population will increase 22% by 2030. With rapid urbanization and a growing population, efficient mobility… Continue reading Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) business is booming in India
China can now rival the US with new innovations in tech, VW finance chief says
VIDEO1:4501:45VW CFO: China is tremendously important for usChina is helping to drive technological change in the automotive sector, the chief financial officer of Volkswagen told CNBC Thursday.
When asked about new innovations such as self-driving cars and 5G mobile networks, VW's Frank Witter said he was impressed by the rate of technological advancements coming from the world's second-largest economy.
“I think for the longest time we have been used to looking to the west coast of the United States when we were talking about innovation and new technologies,” Witter told CNBC's “Squawk Box Europe.”
“This is still valid but at the same time you are absolutely right to point to China,” he added.
Witter said that, looking at motor shows in China year-over-year, it was “just amazing how quickly the industry is progressing,” highlighting development at China's OEMs (original equipment manufacturers).
“The driver of technology is China, and we are very pleased with the progress we are making, together with our partners but also in Mobility Asia,” he added.
The Volkswagen Group's relationship with China dates back to 1978. In 2017, it launched a joint-venture with the state-owned Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co., looking at e-mobility.
In May 2018, it set up Mobility Asia, which focuses on connectivity, smart mobility ecosystems, infrastructure ecosystems, service and data monetization, and autonomous cars.
Looking at the bigger picture, when it comes to autonomous driving a range of technologies are being developed and tested.
At the end of April 2019, South Korean telecoms giant SK Telecom signed an agreement with the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) to develop 5G-based self-driving infrastructure.
In a statement at the time, SK Telecom said it would produce a high definition map covering the whole IFEZ area. It added that the map would have “centimeter-level accuracy” and provide information relating to road conditions, lanes, road slopes and speed limits.
5G refers to the fifth generation of mobile networks. While it promises cell phone users incredibly fast browsing experiences, it will also benefit the autonomous vehicle sector through its ability to process reams of information and data simultaneously and quickly.
India’s Ola seeks to raise $355m more in Series J funding
May 2, 2019 Indian ride-hailing company Ola is planning to raise additional $355 million (Rs 2,469.8 crore) as part of its ongoing funding round, according to the company’s filings with the Registrar of Companies (RoC) sourced by paper.vc. The Bengaluru-based company is looking to raise a total of $1 billion in the Series J round,… Continue reading India’s Ola seeks to raise $355m more in Series J funding
Tempo Raises £1.75M in Funding
Tempo, a London, UK-based intelligent, video-based hiring platform, raised £1.75m in funding. The round, which brought total funding raised to date to over £3m, was led by Hambro Perks and Michael and Derek Jacobson, with participation from Chris Bruce and Michael Whitfield, the founders of Thomsons Online Benefits. The company intends to use the funds… Continue reading Tempo Raises £1.75M in Funding
New Hyundai IONIQ offers a range of new enhancements
Connectivity upgrades with Blue Link® for new IONIQ provide innovative convenience solutions Enhanced edition of the world’s first car with three electrified powertrains offers consumers the option to choose an eco-friendly vehicle that fits their needs New IONIQ Electric with upgraded 38.3-kWh battery: 36% added energy storage capacity – now 294-km range in total (internal… Continue reading New Hyundai IONIQ offers a range of new enhancements
Family Of Man Killed In Tesla Sues Over Claimed Autopilot Flaw
Walter Huang was involved in a 2018 fatal crash on a California highway. The family of a man killed in a crash last year is suing Tesla over its Autopilot system and its widely publicized “driverless” capabilities. Walter Huang was driving a Tesla Model X on Highway 101 in Mountain View, California, near Tesla’s headquarters, when… Continue reading Family Of Man Killed In Tesla Sues Over Claimed Autopilot Flaw
RideCell expands funding round to $60 million – TechCrunch
RideCell, a transportation software startup, has doubled its previously announced Series B funding round to $60 million, a sign that investors believe demand for cloud-based mobility platforms will grow as more companies try to scale up car-sharing, ride-hailing and even robotaxi businesses. The company, which has developed a platform designed to help car-sharing, ride-sharing and autonomous… Continue reading RideCell expands funding round to $60 million – TechCrunch