The Station is a weekly publication devoted to all issues transportation. Join right here — simply click on The Station — to obtain the total version of the publication each weekend in your inbox. Subscribe without spending a dime.
Welcome again to The Station, your central hub for all previous, current and future technique of shifting individuals and packages from Level A to Level B.
Enable me a short second to toot my very own horn!
Downey’s Dream Automobiles, a brand new actuality TV present that mixes vehicles, local weather change, the way forward for mobility, startups and Robert Downey Junior, premiered June 22 on HBO Max. I had the chance to seek the advice of on the present and — plot twist — find yourself in a few episodes too (albeit briefly).
I do hope you test it out; and never simply because I labored on it. The present explores concepts and options for how you can decrease our carbon footprint. I’m completely happy to say, it doesn’t boil down to purchasing a $58,940 EV, which was the typical value in March 2023, in accordance with Kelley Blue Ebook.
OK, we could soar into the information of the week! Vamos.
Need to attain out with a tip, remark or criticism? Electronic mail Kirsten at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com. You can also ship a direct message to @kirstenkorosec.
Reminder you can drop us a word at ideas@techcrunch.com. In the event you favor to stay nameless, click on right here to contact us, which incorporates SecureDrop (directions right here) and numerous encrypted messaging apps.
Micromobbin’
Simply after we thought shared micromobility firms couldn’t iterate much more on e-scooter design, Bolt has gone and completed it once more.
Bolt (the European one, not the one which mysteriously disappeared) launched its sixth-generation e-scooter; and this one is full of all of the tech. What stood out to me was the IoT module with laptop imaginative and prescient know-how that permits the scooter to detect pedestrians and sidewalk driving. As soon as once more, scooter ARAS for the win.
A couple of different notable options, consists of an audio alert that claims “thanks” to individuals who choose up a fallen scooter, a parking system and switch alerts. And 70% of the aluminum comes from recycled sources.
Bolt will begin deploying about 1,000 of those scooters in Lisbon, Riga and Tallinn by the tip of July 2023.
In different information …
Chook stated its increasing its companies in Vienna, Austria after being awarded a brand new three-year allow.
Bosch eBike Techniques is defining the software-defined e-bike. The corporate simply launched a variety of latest connectivity options for the 2024 mannequin yr to individualize the driving expertise, together with a brand new premium subscription that options and alarm and bike lock and a management unit that doubles as a customizable show display screen.
Cycle has dropped a brand new cargo e-bike, the 20Fifty, designed particularly for supply. It’ll be out there from July as a subscription beginning at €129.00 per 30 days, together with upkeep service and insurance coverage.
Suppose you wish to purchase your child an e-bike? Simply don’t. Right here’s why.
Indian startups, not legacy OEMs, are those main the electrical two-wheeler revolution (paywall).
New York Metropolis is now letting electrical micromobility automobiles into parks. This bit of reports coincides with the enlargement of the e-scooter program into Queens.
Zoomo has partnered with EAV to carry EAV’s cool-looking cargo e-bikes to the Zoomo platform. Zoomo provides e-bike subscriptions to couriers, to EAV’s inclusion within the platform is a big stage up.
— Rebecca Bellan
Deal of the week
Let’s discuss loans. And boy, this can be a huge one.
I’m speaking about Ford (and its battery manufacturing accomplice SK On) touchdown a $9.2 billion mortgage from the U.S. Division of Power. The funds can be used to construct three battery factories in Kentucky and Tennessee which might be anticipated to start manufacturing in 2025.
Ford isn’t the one firm to obtain a conditional mortgage from the DOE to spur extra clear vitality — and particularly battery — manufacturing in the USA. Final yr, a three way partnership between Common Motors and LG Power Answer obtained a $2.5 billion mortgage to construct three battery factories within the U.S.
Battery supplies and recycling startup Redwood Supplies has additionally obtained a $2 billion mortgage.
Different offers that received my consideration this week …
BorgWarner agreed to purchase the electrical hybrid programs enterprise section of Italy-based Eldor Corp. for €75 million ($80M).
Cargobot, a Miami-based digital freight firm, raised $6 million in a Sequence A spherical led by BPBI with continued participation from its majority investor Whole Administration 2 Inc.
Guardian Agriculture, an agricultural eVTOL firm, raised a $20 million in a Sequence A spherical led by Fall Line Capital.
Rivian acquired Iternio, the corporate behind ABetterRouteplanner, a well-liked route-planning app utilized by EV drivers. Monetary phrases weren’t disclosed.
Tesla plans to amass a German-based firm referred to as Wiferion that sells wi-fi charging programs for autonomous cellular robots and autonomous guided automobiles, The Robotic Report stated, citing an unnamed supply.
Notable reads and different tidbits
ADAS
Tesla shareholder and advocate Ross Gerber together with critic Dan O’Dowd recorded video of a journey in a Mannequin S utilizing its so-called Full Self-Driving (FSD) beta software program. The plan, I presume, was for Gerber to persuade O’Dowd, a billionaire who has referred to as for a ban on the product, that FSD was protected. Welp, on this video you’ll be able to see that didn’t occur and now it’s making its method round Twitter and different social media.
Particularly, the automobile runs a cease signal and Gerber takes over, stopping a crash with one other automobile (and please readers, as somebody who has repeatedly examined FSD, don’t try to argue it wasn’t engaged. It’s clear).
My query: will this video add momentum to efforts to manage or limit using FSD or will it merely fade into the ether?
Autonomous automobile tech
Cartken says its sidewalk bots have surpassed greater than 25,000 month-to-month deliveries. The corporate additionally stated that it has reached new ranges of autonomy that require “principally no intervention” and that make robotic supply worthwhile.
Cruise developed (and now launched) an Android app to assist its robotaxi service. Apparently, greater than 20% of individuals on its waitlist are Android customers.
Kodiak Robotics signed a deal with Loadsmith, a market that connects shippers and carriers, to place 800 Kodiak-equipped vans on its platform. Reminder: In Might 2022, Loadsmith secured 350 autonomous vans by way of TuSimple, however canceled its order just a few months later.
Parallel Area, a San Francisco-based startup, launched a brand new API referred to as Knowledge Lab that offers machine-learning engineers management over dynamic digital worlds to simulate any situation.
TuSimple retains ramping up in China. The corporate stated it accomplished a collection of totally autonomous semi-truck runs on public roads in China and not using a human current within the automobile and with out human intervention.
Electrical automobiles, batteries & charging
China’s CATL signed a deal with Bolivia to faucet the nation’s lithium reserves.
Helixx is utilizing Siemens’ open digital platform to design a highly-automated ‘manufacturing facility in a field’ that may be constructed wherever to assemble smaller, low-cost EVs, beginning in giant Asian cities. Cautious, Helixx. Sounds a bit like Arrival’s microfactory plan.
Hyundai outlined an up to date EV plan throughout its investor day, together with plans to spend about $28.1 billion over the subsequent decade on electrification, together with $7.45 billion for batteries. The corporate additionally stated it is going to launch a brand new EV platform that may exchange the one at present on the Ioniq 5.
Fisker kicked off deliveries within the U.S. prospects by handing over 22 automobiles Fisker Ocean One launch version automobiles to prospects.
Tesla’s North American Charging Customary (NACS) is gaining extra floor. Rivian grew to become the most recent automaker to undertake NACS, following related strikes by Ford and Common Motors. State governments are additionally getting on board. Texas stated it is going to require EV charging firms to incorporate Tesla’s North American Charging Customary (NACS) and the Mixed Charging System (CCS) normal so as to qualify for a state program to impress highways by way of federal funds. And, it seems like Washington is perhaps subsequent.
Volkswagen had a battery breakthrough. TC reporter Tim De Chant digs into the small print and explains what it means for the automaker and business.
Gig financial system
Uber is doubling its promoting efforts. The ride-hail large is partnering with Omnicom Media Group in an information collaboration that mixes Uber’s mobility and supply insights and viewers information with Omnicom’s working system.
In-car tech
Google is going through elevated scrutiny in Germany because the nation’s antitrust watchdog considers banning the corporate’s automotive companies unit from bundling navigation and different in-car companies.
OK, Forcite isn’t engaged on “in-car” tech, per se. However the startup has developed a wise helmet that integrates with an app and sometime possibly even the bike itself. Contributor Tim Stevens has the within story on the corporate and the way it’s looking for the success that one-time Indiegogo darling Skully squandered.
Polestar shaped a three way partnership with Xingji Meizu, a cell phone and shopper electronics firm, to construct an working system for Polestar vehicles offered in China. In the remainder of the world, Polestar built-in Google’s Android Automotive OS into automobiles to energy its infotainment programs.
Stellantis and Hon Hai Know-how Group (extra generally referred to as Foxconn) created a three way partnership referred to as SiliconAuto that’s devoted to designing and promoting semiconductors to provide the automotive business, together with Stellantis, beginning in 2026.
Folks
Chemix, the Silicon Valley battery developer, employed Praveen Sharma, a former Tesla operation chief, as its Chief Working Officer.
Einride employed Henrik Inexperienced to go up its autonomous applied sciences division. Inexperienced beforehand served as chief know-how officer and chief product officer at Volvo Automobiles.
Grant Goodale, who co-founded of trucking market startup Convoy with Dan Lewis, is leaving his government place and can transition to an advisory position.
Lin-Hua Wu, the previous VP of world communications at Google, was employed as senior vice chairman and chief communications officer at GM.
What’s in my driveway
Picture Credit: Kirsten Korosec
I sometimes take a look at EVs and plug-in hybrids — and typically ICE automobiles if it has compelling tech. What’s in my driveway this week? The 2023 Mercedes EQE 350+ SUV.
Did you even know that the EQE had an SUV model? Effectively now you do. Mercedes has the flagship EQS, the EQS SUV and the EQE sedan. The EQE SUV form of slots within the center as a compact SUV.
The outside is a bit meh for me (cute blob is what one neighbor stated). And don’t even get me began on the $650 elective illuminated operating boards that efficiently received in my method each time I stepped into or out of the EV. (Mercedes tells me the operating boards do enhance effectivity).
Nonetheless, the inside and efficiency of the EQE SUV is the place this automobile actually shines. Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment system is without doubt one of the higher in the marketplace and it retains bettering. And plainly discovering and navigating to EV chargers in navigation has additionally improved!
One new merchandise value flagging: the EQE SUV can also be outfitted with an ADAS system that may robotically change lanes with out driver intervention. Simply don’t count on it to ever go on the appropriate.
