Robotaxi market heats up as Pony.ai unveils its next-gen sensing platform

Pony.ai has unveiled a next-gen sensing platform for the company’s autonomous vehicles that brings enhanced capabilities in a much-improved design.

The new system was designed in collaboration with Luminar Technologies and removes the need for the unsightly cone-shaped LiDAR found on the roofs of most driverless vehicles.

James Peng, CEO and Founder of Pony.ai, said:

“Partnering with Luminar is a critical enabling milestone for Pony.ai as we build our...

10 May 2021 | Connected Vehicles

Uber partners with Arrival to create a purpose-built electric ride-hailing vehicle

Uber is partnering with UK-based zero-emissions mobility solutions provider Arrival to create a purpose-built electric vehicle for ride-hailing.

The “affordable” Arrival Car will be designed in collaboration with Uber drivers to ensure that it meets their needs. It is expected to enter production in Q3 2023.

Tom Elvidge, SVP of Arrival Mobility UK, said:

“We are confident that electrifying ride-hailing vehicles will have an outsized impact on cities, and...

4 May 2021 | Connected Vehicles

Self-driving vehicles to become legal in the UK this year

Self-driving vehicles will become legal on the UK’s roads later this year, albeit with some initial restrictions.

The Department for Transport (DfT) will allow the use of autonomous driving modes which stick to a single lane with a 37mph (60km/h) speed limit.

Drivers won’t have to keep their hands on the wheel but will have to remain alert to retake control if required. Unfortunately, that means you can’t binge-watch the latest series or play your favourite game on...

28 April 2021 | Connected Vehicles

Toyota subsidiary to acquire Lyft’s autonomous vehicle division

Toyota subsidiary Woven Planet has announced that it’s acquiring Lyft’s autonomous vehicle division for $550 million.

The division, known as Level 5, has established itself among the leaders in the development of autonomous driving technologies.

Logan Green, Co-Founder and CEO of Lyft, said:

“Today’s announcement launches Lyft into the next phase of an incredible journey to bring our mission to life. Lyft has spent nine years building a transportation...

27 April 2021 | Connected Vehicles

Honda and Verizon explore how 5G and MEC can improve vehicle safety

Honda has partnered with US telecoms giant Verizon to explore how 5G and mobile edge computing (MEC) can improve the safety of connected vehicles.

The partnership was established through both companies’ participation in the University of Michigan’s Mcity testbed for connected and autonomous vehicles.

Ehsan Moradi Pari, PhD, Research Group Lead at Honda’s Advanced Technology Research Division, said:

“Honda’s research collaboration with Verizon is an...

9 April 2021 | 5G

Lime is spending $50 million on a major expansion of its e-bikes

Micromobility firm Lime is spending $50 million to expand and enhance its e-bike network.

Lime started its journey with e-bikes – in fact, it even used to be called LimeBike – but has since become known for its iconic e-scooters where it’s put most of its effort in recent years. Now, the company is returning to where it started.

The $50 million investment in Lime’s shared electric bicycle network will add a new model of bike, double the number of the green (quite...

1 March 2021 | Connected Vehicles

NHS Scotland employs drones to quickly transport vital medical supplies

The UK’s NHS (National Health Service) is employing the use of drones to help quickly transport vital medical supplies to rural Scottish hospitals.

Drones are helping to transport supplies – including medicines, COVID-19 testing samples and kits, and PPE – to the remote Argyll & Bute region of Scotland as part of a three-month trial.

The drones utilise Vodafone’s 4G network for communication and can travel up to 40 miles (64km) at a time. Each drone is...

23 February 2021 | Smart Cities & Homes

UK e-scooters struggle after rulebreakers halt yet another trial

Yet another e-scooter trial has been put on hold after riders have been caught driving them recklessly.

E-scooters should help to alleviate inner-city congestion and reduce pollution, at least in theory. Fewer people requiring the use of their cars can only be a good thing.

Trevor Reed, a transportation analyst at INRIX, said last year:

“With an environmental crisis on our hands, governments and local authorities must act now to provide efficient and...

16 September 2020 | Connected Vehicles