WARREN, Michigan — The Army is getting ready to drive into war — in driverless trucks. Next fall, its “Leader-Follower” technology will enable convoys of autonomous vehicles to follow behind one driven by a human. It’s a direct response to the improvised explosive devices that caused nearly half the casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan. The… Continue reading The Army is preparing to send driverless vehicles into combat
Tag: Mobility
Uber is developing an on-demand staffing business
Uber is reportedly developing a short-term staffing business to offer 1099 independent contractors for events and corporate functions, the Financial Times first reported. Dubbed Uber Works, the service would provide waiters, security guards and other temporary staffers to business partners, a source close to Uber told TechCrunch. Uber has been working on the project for… Continue reading Uber is developing an on-demand staffing business
Successful autonomous driving – A pilot project by Daimler and Bosch.
In order to develop fully automated driverless vehicles that can operate in urban environments, you need to have systems equipped with sensors that can reliably detect and recognise objects. Here, cameras, radar, ultrasound, and lidar serve as a vehicle’s “sensory organs.” Each sensory device has a specific talent, so to speak: cameras can recognise colours… Continue reading Successful autonomous driving – A pilot project by Daimler and Bosch.
EU lawmakers back 35 percent cut in trucks’ CO2 output by 2030
BRUSSELS — EU lawmakers backed a 35 percent cut in carbon dioxide emissions from new trucks by 2030 on Thursday, pushing for ambitious measures to limit climate change despite fears over industry competitiveness. The move comes after EU nations last week agreed to seek a 35 percent cut in car emissions by the same year.… Continue reading EU lawmakers back 35 percent cut in trucks’ CO2 output by 2030
EU lawmakers back 35 percent CO2 cut for trucks by 2030
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – EU lawmakers backed a 35 percent cut in carbon dioxide emissions from new trucks by 2030 on Thursday, pushing for ambitious measures to limit climate change despite fears over industry competitiveness. FILE PHOTO: Cars and trucks are stuck in a traffic jam near Irschenberg, Germany, March 29, 2018. REUTERS/Michael Dalder/File Photo The… Continue reading EU lawmakers back 35 percent CO2 cut for trucks by 2030
Volkswagen Group rolls out diesel swapping program throughout Germany
The Volkswagen Group today rolled out a comprehensive package of measures to improve air quality in Germany through fleet renewal. The successful environmental incentives for scrappage of Euro-1 to Euro-4 diesel vehicles of any make are again being offered by some of the Group’s brands throughout Germany. Vehicle keepers in the 14 cities classified by… Continue reading Volkswagen Group rolls out diesel swapping program throughout Germany
TomTom – Volvo cooperation ended
The map service provider TomTom from the Netherlands loses the Swedish automaker Volvo as a customer. There are currently major fluctuations in the traffic segment. HERE Has Google Maps pushed off the throne. Meanwhile, Google Maps is stepping up its engagement and Apple’s maps are coming soon no longer existent. Now also has the map… Continue reading TomTom – Volvo cooperation ended
Zoov launches an ebike sharing system that fits in with existing roads
Whether they take the form of scooters or bikes, pedestrian mobility programs have sprung up quickly around the globe, occasionally angering people and governments in cities that hadn’t asked for a rack of vehicles in the middle of their sidewalk. New French startup Zoov claims its approach to bike sharing “respects public roads” with smaller… Continue reading Zoov launches an ebike sharing system that fits in with existing roads
Uber reportedly raises $2 billion in debut junk bond sale ahead of blockbuster IPO
Anindito Mukherjee | Getty Images
Dara Khosrowshahi, chief executive officer of Uber, looks on following a 2018 event in New Delhi, India.
Uber has raised $2 billion in a junk bond sale, according to a report, as it gears up for its 2019 stock market debut.
The ride-hailing firm raised $1.5 billion through the sale of eight-year notes with a yield of 8 percent — it had initially pitched $1 billion — and an additional $500 million by selling five-year notes with a yield of 7.5 percent in a private placement led by Morgan Stanley, according to the Financial Times.
Uber was not immediately available when contacted by CNBC; nor was Morgan Stanley. The FT said Uber had confirmed the sale's completion.
The embattled start-up is preparing for an initial public offering that media reports have noted could value it at more than $100 billion — far more than its last reported valuation of $72 billion, which it notched after a $500 million capital injection from Japanese carmaker Toyota. It is currently one of the most valuable privately held firms in the world.
The fundraising follows a separate report by the FT on Wednesday that said Uber has mulled the sale of minority stakes in its struggling self-driving unit, known as the Advanced Technologies Group.
“Shared self-driving cars will ultimately make transportation safer, more efficient, and more affordable for riders on the Uber network,” the company said in an emailed statement to CNBC in response to that report.
“Our team at the Advanced Technologies Group is wholly focused on building the safest self-driving technology out there, and we remain committed to supporting their efforts to make this self-driving future a reality.”
The autonomous driving unit suffered a major setback earlier this year after a fatal crash involving one of its driverless vehicles in Tempe, Arizona. It also ended a legal battle with Google's self-driving car division Waymo in February, with a settlement that saw Waymo take a 0.34 percent stake in the company worth $245 million at the time.
Uber's Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi said last month the firm is on track to launch its IPO next year and has no plans to sell the Advanced Technologies Group.
You can read the full FT report here.
Gores Holdings Acquires Smart Transportation Company
Verra Mobility is a global leader in smart mobility, serving the world’s largest commercial fleets and rental car companies in managing tolling transactions and violations for more than 8.5 million vehicles and operating more than 4,000 red-light, speed, and school bus stop arm safety cameras. Photo courtesy of Verra Mobility. Gores Holdings II, Inc., a… Continue reading Gores Holdings Acquires Smart Transportation Company