Cruise Fined $1.5 Million for Failing to Report Driverless Car Incident Involving Pedestrian | October 4th , 2024
Renaming bike lanes to "safety lanes" could enhance safety for all, while the micromobility industry rebounds with rising ridership.
Issue [#259] - Every week, we deliver analysis and curation of emerging mobility news - post a job listing here!
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Micromobility
Dott, formed by the merger of Tier and Dott, aims to streamline micromobility across Europe and the Middle East. The unified company will transition Tier users to the Dott app by March 2025, creating one fleet of 250,000 vehicles across 427 cities. Focused on frequent local riders, Dott offers passes to boost recurring usage. Despite challenges, CEO Henri Moissinac highlights scale as critical to improving operations and competing with industry leader Lime | TechCrunch
Renaming "bike lanes" to "safety lanes" could promote their broader benefits for everyone, not just cyclists. A study of seven mid-sized cities found 61% fewer traffic deaths in cities with more cyclists. By reducing car dependence, bike-friendly infrastructure improves safety for all road users, including drivers and pedestrians. Rebranding could help overcome resistance to such infrastructure, highlighting its role in creating safer, more multimodal cities where people have better transportation options | StreetBlogs USA
Addressing nondrivers could revolutionize transportation and housing. Many Americans, especially Black, immigrant, and low-income households, lack car access, yet infrastructure remains car-centric. Anna Zivarts challenges the assumption that everyone drives, highlighting the need for inclusive urban design. By reducing car dependency and prioritizing multimodal transit options, we can create safer, more accessible cities for all. Zivarts advocates for change through her book and initiatives like the Week Without Driving Challenge | The Urbanist
After a difficult 2023, the micromobility industry is bouncing back in 2024 with growing ridership and key partnerships. Bird emerged from bankruptcy, and Lyft reaffirmed its commitment to bikes and scooters, partnering with Bird and Spin for rentals through its app. Lime set global ridership records despite ongoing safety concerns. While high city fees remain an issue, industry optimism persists, with demand for shared micromobility on the rise | Smart Cities Drive
Product Launches & Updates
Beryl has launched the second generation BBE2 e-bike, designed for improved comfort and accessibility. Featuring a low-step frame, adjustable seat, and puncture-resistant tires, it suits a wide range of riders. Key innovations include safe-start technology, automatic gear shifting, and an 80 km battery range. The BBE2 debuted in Stevenage and Guildford and aims to promote sustainable travel, reduce congestion, and improve air quality through expanded bike-sharing schemes across England and Europe | ZAGDaily
Urban Arrow has introduced new electric cargo bikes in the U.S., designed for families who want an eco-friendly way to get around. The two models, Family Performance and Cargo Line, come with smart features like real-time data and anti-theft protection. These bikes have strong motors, safety belts for kids, and room for up to four children. Starting at $6,999, they offer a safe and green alternative to driving a car in the city | Electrek
Toyota is delaying the production of its new electric SUVs in the US, initially planned for 2025, until mid-2026 due to slowing EV sales. The company had invested over $1 billion in its Kentucky facility for this project but is now focusing on hybrid models. Toyota still anticipates long-term EV growth and plans to invest in next-gen batteries, though it has also scaled back global EV production goals and scrapped plans for US-made Lexus EVs | Electrek
Ford's 2025 Expedition debuts with a revamped design and new Digital Experience infotainment system, based on Android Automotive. It features a 24-inch screen, half the size of Lincoln's 48-inch display, and supports Google Play apps, Apple CarPlay, and voice assistants like Google Assistant and Alexa. The SUV offers seating for up to eight and includes options like BlueCruise hands-free driving and an off-road-focused Tremor trim with 440 horsepower | The Verge
Ridehailing, Carsharing, & Delivery
Thousands of dock workers from East and Gulf Coast ports have gone on strike, demanding better wages and protection against automation. The strike, led by the International Longshoremen’s Association, could disrupt the supply chain, raise prices, and impact the economy, with potential daily losses of up to $4.5 billion. Negotiations continue, with workers seeking wage increases and job security as technology threatens their roles | The Verge
A stalled Waymo driverless car disrupted Vice President Kamala Harris' motorcade in San Francisco, highlighting ongoing issues with self-driving vehicles in the city. While Waymo's incident reflects broader concerns over traffic safety, a new bill signed by Governor Gavin Newsom will allow law enforcement to cite driverless car companies for violations starting in 2026. This law aims to address traffic problems caused by these vehicles, emphasizing the need for better regulation in the evolving landscape | The San Francisco Standard
Cruise has been fined $1.5 million for failing to report a serious incident where one of its driverless cars dragged a pedestrian 20 feet after a hit-and-run in San Francisco. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) discovered that Cruise's reports were incomplete, prompting an investigation. The fine is part of a consent order requiring better safety practices. As Cruise works to improve transparency, it has begun cautiously resuming operations in the Bay Area and other cities | The Verge
Cachet aims to improve insurance for the mobility industry by personalizing premiums based on user behavior. CEO Hedi Mardisoo highlights that tailored policies can reward safe riding, making insurance fairer and more sustainable. By analyzing data on rider habits, Cachet offers coverage that reflects individual risk, benefiting both operators and riders. The company plans to expand this innovative model across Europe, striving to enhance safety standards in micromobility and ride-hailing sectors | ZAGDaily
A recent Reuters report reveals that Uber and Lyft drivers using Tesla's "Full Self-Driving" feature may be operating in a gray area of ride-sharing. While the system requires drivers to stay alert and assumes responsibility for any accidents, some drivers reported feeling stressed while relying on the technology. This raises safety concerns, as unregulated semi-autonomous vehicles could endanger passengers and others on the road. Uber and Lyft have not banned this practice, leaving questions about accountability in the sector | InsideEVs
Investment & Deals
JLR invests heavily in Halewood to produce EVs, alongside traditional models. The historic factory, built in 1963, is modernized for electric vehicle production. Halewood is equipped with advanced technology to support electric vehicle production. This investment is part of JLR's broader strategy to become a leader in electric vehicles and achieve carbon neutrality. Halewood will eventually become JLR's first all-electric production facility | Electric Car Reports
Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER) and Avride announced a strategic partnership to integrate Avride’s delivery robots and autonomous vehicles into Uber Eats, launching first in Austin, then expanding to Dallas and Jersey City. Avride’s robots operate in the U.S. and South Korea, with plans for significant fleet expansion and a robotaxi service by 2025. Both CEOs highlighted the partnership’s transformative potential for consumers and communities | Uber
Toyota, investing $894 million in Joby Aviation, backs its eVTOL air taxi. Founded by JoeBen Bevirt in 2009, Joby raised $100 million from Intel, Toyota, and JetBlue. Its eVTOL, with 6 rotors and 5 seats, boasts a 200 mph speed, a 150-mile range, and ultra-quiet operation. Joby aims to start commercial flights in 2025, beginning in NYC and LA | The Verge
NIO secured a $470 million investment from Hefei Jianheng, Anhui Provincial Emerging Industry, and GS Capital to enhance its growth strategy. The funding, allocated in two installments, reduces NIO’s stake in NIO China to 88.3% | Electrek
ComEd launched Chicago Drives Electric with a $90 million investment to boost electric vehicle adoption, featuring instant rebates for fleet operators. This year’s event, part of the Chicago Auto Trade Association’s Drive Electric Week, emphasizes environmental equity by allocating half of the funds to low-income communities and engaging over 30 local stakeholders | Electrek
EVgo secured a $1.05 billion DOE loan to expand its EV charging network across the US, focusing on underserved communities and those with limited charging options. The new chargers will be concentrated in 10 states and over 40% will be built in marginalized areas. The loan is expected to create over 1,000 jobs and will help EVgo compete with Tesla, which dominates the US charging market | Electrek
Numa, co-founded in 2017 by Tasso Roumeliotis, Andy Ruff, Joel Grossman, and Steven Ginn, pivoted from conversational AI to customer service automation for auto dealerships. The recent $32 million Series B funding brings its total to $48 million, supporting growth in the $1.2 trillion automotive sector with 600 clients | TechCrunch
EPA funds electric school buses ($965M), Blue Bird leads with 2,000+ buses. Blue Bird opens new EV plant (400 jobs), converts diesel plant (DOE grant). US-owned Blue Bird sustains 2,000 jobs. Cleaner air, safer students, jobs boost rural Georgia | BusinessWire
Cities & Policy
Turkish startup hop, launched in 2019, defies odds with 50%+ EBITDA margin on just $3.5M funding. In-house tech and operations fuel growth in Turkey, Greece, and Montenegro. Expansion faces hurdles in varied public policies, but hop's focus on city compliance and Segway partnership secures long-term licenses | ZAGDaily
Microtransit has sparked debate since its emergence in the mid-2010s. Via, the largest U.S. provider, launched a $12 million transit network in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, integrating on-demand vans with traditional buses. Initial responses highlight excitement, challenges with capacity, and shifts in urban mobility dynamics post-pandemic | Bloomberg
New York's subway, once a global model, now lags behind cities like Beijing and Shanghai, ranking outside the top 10 in system length. Despite the benefits of open-gangway trains, platform doors, and automation, none are widely adopted. Proposed innovations, like a 15-minute link to JFK, offer potential for modernization | StreetsBlog NYC
New Orleans prepares for the February 9 Super Bowl, with advocates like Mark Raymond Jr. and Michael Hecht pushing for accessibility improvements as catalysts for change amid 550 infrastructure projects. The local streetcar system remains problematic, while Kyle Walker highlights the potential for lasting enhancements, drawing lessons from the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics | FastCompany
California just made it legal for cops to ticket self-driving cars. The new law, AB 1777, closes a loophole that lets driverless vehicles avoid citations. It's unclear what the penalties will be, but the DMV will figure that out. The law goes into effect next year | NBC Bay Area
The North American Electric Construction Coalition (NAECC), formed by New York City’s Mayor’s Office with C40 Cities like Austin, Boulder County, and San Diego, targets decarbonizing construction, which emits nearly 25% of global greenhouse gasses. With partners spending over $13 billion, it aims to enhance urban living and drive electric market growth | Electrek
New Products, Features, and Data Points
Ford slashes BlueCruise prices amid federal probe, offering free home chargers to boost EV adoption. Customers and dealers pushed for lower costs after two fatal crashes. BlueCruise now costs $49.99/month or $495/year, with a one-time $2,495 purchase option available. The camera-based system monitors drivers' attention | TechCrunch
Tesla and CEO Elon Musk celebrated a legal win as Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin dismissed a lawsuit alleging shareholder fraud over Autopilot safety claims, deeming Musk’s statements “corporate puffery” or “forward-looking.” Despite ongoing investigations by the California attorney general and the US Department of Justice, Musk plans to unveil a fully autonomous robotaxi on October 10th | The Verge
Bosch, eMTB leader, unveils new electric bike gear: redesigned motor for precise power, quieter gearbox, new display, and bigger batteries (up to 1600Wh). PowerTube 600 and PowerMore 250 also available | Electrek
Enel X Way North America, owner of JuiceBox, is shutting down its EV business in the U.S. and Canada by October 11, ending customer support immediately. JuiceBox users will lose app connectivity, impacting charging stations. Enel refocuses on markets with existing electricity retail operations, citing high interest rates and changing EV dynamics | The Verge
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