SoftBank Vision Fund leads $121m Series D funding in imaging firm Light

July 19, 2018 Camera technology company Light has announced the closing of a $121 million Series D funding round led by the SoftBank Vision Fund, with participation from Leica Camera AG. The SoftBank Vision Fund investment will be made in tranches, subject to certain conditions, the company said in an official release. Founded in 2013… Continue reading SoftBank Vision Fund leads $121m Series D funding in imaging firm Light

Aston Martin ‘sports car for the skies’

Luxury carmaker Aston Martin has unveiled plans for a personal aircraft dubbed a “sports car for the skies”. The company has teamed up with jet engine maker Rolls-Royce and engineering boffins at Cranfield University on the futuristic project. A concept aircraft was unveiled at the Farnborough Airshow, but the consortium hopes to have a flying… Continue reading Aston Martin ‘sports car for the skies’

Ford France prepares an advertising chatbot

In October 2018, the oval brand will launch a conversational robot that will challenge Internet users and social partners to talk to them about the new Focus, while waiting for other models. A project led with Botnik.ai. A technological approach for a technological showcase. Ford France will launch a conversational robot (chatbot), on the occasion… Continue reading Ford France prepares an advertising chatbot

ZF: automation is “difficult to depreciate on a particular vehicle”

According to ZF, automation systems will have more interest in commercial vehicles and trucks. A strategic position deciphered by Thierry Metais, vice-president of the ZF group in charge of sales and development but also managing director of ZF France, At the end of June 2018, ZF presented its strategic shift for the autonomous vehicle, during… Continue reading ZF: automation is “difficult to depreciate on a
particular vehicle”

BMW’s Launching an Uber Competitor in Seattle

In this wacky new world of bike shares, electric scooters, OneWheels, and transit apps, automotive companies aren’t quite famous for their inspired, innovative business moves. But today, BMW is sending up the industry’s latest trial balloon. And it’s headed straight for airspace currently occupied by Uber and Lyft. Starting today, the automaker’s ReachNow arm, which… Continue reading BMW’s Launching an Uber Competitor in Seattle

Travel giant Booking invests $500M in Chinese ride-hailing firm Didi Chuxing

Didi Chuxing, China’s largest ride-hailing company, has pulled in some strategic capital after Booking Holdings invested $500 million into its business. The deal will see Booking Holdings — which was formerly known as Priceline — work closely with Didi to offer its on-demand car services through its Booking.com apps via an integration. Likewise, Didi customers… Continue reading Travel giant Booking invests $500M in Chinese ride-hailing firm Didi Chuxing

Lotus under Geely – what’s the plan?

New CEO Feng Qingfeng was until recently chief technical officer of Geely Auto Group Lotus is something of a curiosity. Like Chrysler, many companies have owned it, only to eventually sell to another firm, usually having sustained substantial losses during the period of control. Will things be different under Geely? The following analysis of the… Continue reading Lotus under Geely – what’s the plan?

China is Europe in battery production consider

D The first battery cell production for electric cars on German soil is being built in Erfurt, Thuringia. But her owner is not a German automaker. The operator comes from far away China. Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) is the name of the company, which is currently emerging as the world leader in the… Continue reading China is Europe in battery production
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