From City Streets to Mountain Trails: Meet the Tern Orox | February 23rd, 2024
Also, Voi is laying off 12% of its workforce, Hyundai will roll out its IONIQ 7 at the Busan Motor Show, and Uber Eats is expanding autonomous food delivery to Japan.
Issue [#227] - Every week, we deliver analysis and curation of emerging mobility news - post a job listing here!
Curbivore 2024 Speakers Announced!
The worlds of delivery, mobility, curbside commerce and civic tech come together at Curbivore 2024! Join us March 28th & 29th in Downtown LA, discounted tickets still available. Meet with and hear from the top minds at amazing organizations like UberEats, Wonder, Lyft, LADOT, Bloomberg, SFMTA, Nash, GM Brightdrop, Motional, Serve, Coco, Kiwibot, Seattle DOT, California Transportation Commission, Upfront Ventures and more.
Micromobility
Dispelling misconceptions, electric bikes (e-bikes) surprisingly offer more exercise than traditional pedal bikes. Studies consistently show that e-bike riders cover more miles and ride for longer periods. The electric motor assists in overcoming challenges, making rides enjoyable and encouraging longer distances. E-bike riders also use their bikes more frequently for commuting and recreation. Contrary to the belief that e-bikes lack exercise benefits, the evidence suggests they provide engaging and health-promoting experiences | Electrek
A Florida man, Michael Joyce, steps in to rescue Cake's electric motorbikes after the startup filed for bankruptcy. He buys Cake's U.S. inventory, excluding recalled models, aiming to keep the brand alive. Working with Detroit startup Bloom, he plans to warehouse and distribute the bikes nationwide. Despite challenges, Joyce believes in Cake's potential, adapting his sales strategy. The move reflects the evolving landscape of electric transportation, showing how partnerships and innovative logistics support the industry's growth | TechCrunch
Micromobility operator Voi is restructuring its workforce, cutting around 12% of its employees, with a focus on streamlining central costs and achieving profitability. The move follows similar actions by other industry players, signaling a broader trend in the micromobility sector to prioritize efficiency and financial sustainability over rapid expansion | ZAGDaily
V2X technology acts as a 21st-century digital seatbelt, enabling vehicles to communicate crucial information and enhance road safety. Beyond protecting drivers, V2X extends its benefits to cyclists and pedestrians, providing real-time warnings and generating valuable data for city planning. As this technology evolves, it presents a promising solution to complement existing safety measures in cities worldwide | StreetsBlog USA
Product Launches & Updates
Hyundai is set to unveil its IONIQ 7, a three-row electric SUV, at the Busan Motor Show in June. Positioned as an advanced and spacious vehicle, the IONIQ 7 marks Hyundai's ambitious stride into the EV market, capitalizing on its innovative E-GMP platform and expanding production capabilities in the US and South Korea | Electrek
Tern unveils the Orox adventure cargo e-bike, marking a departure from their urban e-bike range. Boasting premium design and off-road capabilities, Orox offers versatility with interchangeable tire sizes. Powered by Bosch's Performance Line CX motor and dual 800 Wh batteries, it achieves an impressive 300+ km range. The robust frame supports substantial loads, appealing to adventure seekers. Priced at $6,499, available in April, the Orox demonstrates Tern's commitment to innovation in e-bike technology | Electrek
Porsche expands its plug-in hybrid lineup with the introduction of two new models, the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid and the Panamera 4S E-Hybrid, responding to growing demand for efficient and dynamic E-Hybrid powertrains. Packed with improved acceleration, torque, and a larger battery capacity, these models cater to consumers seeking a blend of performance and sustainability in the luxury car segment | The Verge
Ridehailing, Carsharing & Delivery
Martie, founded by Louise Fritjofsson and Kari Morris, revolutionizes grocery shopping by offering surplus inventory from renowned brands at 40-70% off traditional prices. With a focus on affordability and sustainability, Martie saves shoppers money while reducing food waste, fostering a fun and enriching shopping experience for all | Modern Delivery
As Los Angeles Metro considers Lyft for its public bike share program, workers and advocates unite in concerns about potential threats to worker rights and service quality. With the future of sustainable transit at stake, solidarity grows among various groups urging for careful consideration and support for bike share workers | Jacobin
Nuro teams up with Arm to power its next-gen autonomous delivery vehicle, the R3, using cutting-edge technology. With a focus on efficiency and range improvement, Nuro aims to redefine autonomous delivery, doubling cargo space and incorporating temperature-controlled compartments for an advanced and sustainable delivery experience | The Verge
Delivery Mates revolutionized last-mile deliveries in London with a successful microhub trial, showcasing the efficiency of e-cargo bikes. Removing vans from the streets, the trial completed 128,000 eco-friendly deliveries, leading to interest from 10 boroughs. The microhub concept not only reduces emissions but also offers time savings, proving its viability for sustainable urban logistics | ZAGDaily
Waymo faces a temporary setback in its California robotaxi expansion as state regulators halt plans for safety reviews. Recent incidents prompt the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to scrutinize Waymo's proposed service expansion, signaling a pause in the company's ambitions in Los Angeles and communities south of San Francisco | The Verge
Uber Eats expands autonomous food delivery to Japan, teaming up with startup Cartken and Mitsubishi Electric. Model C sidewalk delivery robots will hit Tokyo streets in March, addressing local labor shortages. Modified for compliance, these robots use AI and cameras for autonomous driving. Despite speed and capacity adjustments, the move complements existing delivery methods. This marks Uber Eats' global push into robotic food delivery, building on successful US collaborations with Cartken | Engadget
Gustavo Ajche, a leader in NYC's delivery worker movement, reflects the challenges of gig workers. Los Deliveristas Unidos campaign fights for fair pay and safety. Despite legal changes like Local Law 115, progress is slow. This story highlights the importance of fair treatment and workers' rights, emphasizing the struggle for improved conditions. Safety concerns and regulatory issues in the gig economy underscore the need for broader changes, making this a vital issue | Bicycling
Investment & Deals
The U.S. Department of Transportation announces the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant, offering $1.256 billion to enhance roadway safety nationwide. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg states: "Every community knows some intersection or stretch of road that is dangerous to approach." | Intelligent Transport
Evios, makers of at-home EV-charging solutions, secured £4 million in Series A funding. Aimed at expanding Andersen EV, acquired in October 2022. With Porsche and Jaguar Land Rover, Evios is leading the charge in the UK. With a keen eye on the future, Evios is not just keeping the EV moving but also accelerating its expansion and product range, targeting higher-end clientele | Tech.eu
Lotus Tech is set to go public by merging with L Catterton Asia Acquisition Corp | Electric Car Report
Lyft has announced a private offering of $400 million in Convertible Senior Notes. The company aims to raise funds through this offering | BusinessWire
Paris' commercial court has approved Cooltra's acquisition of Cityscoot, two companies providing shared electric mopeds. Cityscoot had previously undergone court-ordered receivership | TechCrunch
Lucid announces Q4 and full-year 2023 financial results: 1,734 vehicles delivered (up 37% from 2022) and 2,391 vehicles produced (meeting high-end of guidance) | Lucid Motors
Haomo, a company specializing in autonomous driving technology, has secured $14 million in funding with the support of Chinese carmaker Great Wall | TechCrunch
Cities & Policy
Dublin, Europe's latest capital, embarks on barring through-traffic to revamp its core, aiming for a 60% reduction in congestion, echoing similar moves in EU cities. With overwhelming 80% of public support, Dubliners embrace a cleaner city center, reflecting a shift towards progressive urban policy and signaling a significant change in urban dynamics | Bloomberg
A recent analysis by the Georgia-based personal injury law firm Bader Scott reveals that seven of the top 10 deadliest cycling areas in the US are in Florida, showcasing alarming safety concerns. Pasco County near Tampa stood out as the most perilous, with a striking cyclist fatality rate of about 7.12 deaths per 100,000 people over the studied period, illustrating "the concentration of cyclist safety issues in certain areas, especially in Florida." | The Guardian
Paris embraces bike paths and discourages SUVs, while Berlin's conservative government champions cars, resulting in a culture clash where cyclists bear the brunt | Electrek
In a strategic move, the city aims to significantly increase the number of e-car chargers available on the sidewalks. However, it is crucial to pause and reflect on the potential repercussions of allocating curbside space to car drivers, a mistake that was made by the city in the 1950s | StreetsBlog NYC
State DOTs are spending more on highway expansions than anticipated, surpassing expectations following the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law | StreetsBlog USA
For proper city design, our emphasis should be on the well-being of people, rather than approaching it solely as an engineering matter. Connecting individuals with the land should be a central focus in city planning, moving beyond a purely technical approach | Scientific American
New Products, Features, and Data Points
Three major automakers, Volkswagen, Renault, and Stellantis, join forces to make cheap EVs amid Tesla and Chinese competition. Urgency grows as European automakers lag. "A business-as-usual approach is a losing option," reports Bloomberg | Electrek
Later this year, mapping startup Hivemapper is set to introduce a new dashcam, which according to its co-founder, will accelerate their endeavors to gain market share from Google | TechCrunch
According to a report, transitioning to electric vehicles in the US could potentially avert millions of illnesses in children by 2050 | CNN
As EV challenges intensify, Rivian has revealed that it is reducing its workforce by 10 percent. Additionally, the company's announcement of not anticipating a production increase in comparison to 2023 has led to a decline in stock prices | The Verge
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