Kenyan Ride-Hailing Drivers Fight Back with Higher Fares Amidst Price War and Rising Costs | August 23rd, 2024

Voi addresses e-scooter parking for the blind; cycling remains vital for cities; e-bikes reduce car use and boost mobility.

Issue [#253] - Every week, we deliver analysis and curation of emerging mobility news - post a job listing here!

If you're heading to MOVE America in Austin, TX at the end of September, our friends, Harry Campbell, The Rideshare Guy, and HUB Insurance, are hosting a happy hour at the end of day one - register here.

Interested in hosting a happy hour of your own? Reach out to harry@therideshareguy.com for details on how to partner up!  Upcoming events include: LA Tech Week, CoMotion LA and CES.

Also, we’re pleased to introduce a brand new podcast — The Courier — where Jonah Bliss and Greg Lindsay will discuss the most interesting, spiciest news of the week, followed by a chat with a mover and shaker from the world of delivery and mobility. In the inaugural episode, they chat with Gary Chaglasyan, Founder of RestoGPT and PizzaBox AI, about how a new subscription model, unlocking all you can eat pizzas for a year, gives restaurateurs a powerful new tool to lock in capital and customers. Listen Now on Apple Podcasts. Listen Now on Spotify.

Ridehailing, Carsharing, & Delivery 

Self-driving technology company Waymo has reached a major milestone, surpassing 100,000 paid rides per week | @TechTekedra via X

Waymo's upcoming sixth-generation robotaxi, an electric minivan from Zeekr, will feature a reduced number of sensors to cut costs. The new model, which incorporates learnings from previous versions, aims to minimize real-world testing. However, it faces potential cost impacts from new U.S. tariffs on Chinese EVs. Despite this, the robotaxi boasts a comprehensive sensor suite for enhanced safety and redundancy. Waymo is also seeking to expand its commercial operations soon | The Verge

Kenyan ride-hailing drivers, struggling with unsustainable fares due to a price war among companies like Uber and Bolt, are setting their own higher rates to cope with rising living costs. This defies Uber's guidelines, leading to tension between drivers and companies. Some drivers use collective pricing strategies, frustrating customers who face time-consuming negotiations. The situation highlights the broader challenges in balancing driver needs with affordability in the ride-hailing industry | Reuters

Gopuff has partnered with FUTURE Health to offer its delivery partners premium healthcare for $20/month, including unlimited virtual doctor visits and over 700 free prescription medications. This initiative addresses the lack of health insurance among self-employed workers. The partnership is part of Gopuff's broader efforts to enhance the delivery partner experience, which includes Instant Cash Out, earnings transparency, and discounted access to retirement planning, insurance, and tax support | GoPuff

Tiffany Heathcott, a former truck driver, became the first remote operator for Einride's autonomous electric trucks in the U.S. Working from a console, she monitors the trucks, ensuring safe operations, particularly during complex maneuvers. Einride's expansion relies on remote drivers to boost efficiency and reduce environmental impact. This role offers a safer alternative to traditional trucking, addressing driver shortages and safety concerns, while improving work-life balance | Forbes

Waymo has again resolved its robotaxi honking issue in San Francisco. After previous software patches failed, a new update aims to prevent robotaxis from honking excessively while parking. The problem, initially revealed by a livestream of nightly honking, has led Waymo to address this unintended behavior with a new fix. This underscores ongoing efforts to refine autonomous vehicle software for smoother operation | TechCrunch

Uber has hired Rebecca Tinucci, Tesla’s former head of charging, to lead its fleet electrification efforts. Tinucci, known for building Tesla's extensive charging network, was dismissed along with her team by Elon Musk earlier this year. At Uber, she will help drive the company's goal of fully electrifying its fleet by 2040. This move aligns with Uber’s broader initiatives to support electric vehicles and expand charging infrastructure | Electrek

Micromobility

Portland's approach to micromobility has been shaped by a long-standing commitment to environmental goals. The city proactively regulated e-scooters, unlike other cities, by establishing rules before allowing companies to operate. This policy-driven approach ensured that new technologies like e-scooters aligned with Portland's climate, safety, and equity goals. Portland’s method, including multiple pilot programs and detailed reporting, has made the city a leader in micromobility management in the U.S | Streets Blog USA

Voi has partnered with Merseyside Sight Loss Council to address the impact of poorly parked e-scooters on blind and sight-impaired people in Liverpool. They aim to promote responsible parking by showing how improper e-scooter placement affects those with vision loss. Despite most users parking correctly, Voi emphasizes the need for greater awareness and courteous behavior to ensure safer streets for all, particularly for disabled pedestrians | Smart Cities World

Cycling, a 200-year-old invention, remains vital today for its environmental, health, and social benefits. Bicycles reduce emissions, promote physical activity, and are affordable, making them accessible to all. Advocates call for increased investment in cycling infrastructure, especially in lower-income countries, to enhance multi-modal transport systems. Integrating cycling with public transport can save time, improve mobility, and create more livable communities, demonstrating the enduring relevance of bicycles in modern society | World Bank Bloks

E-bikes are transforming urban transportation by reducing car dependency and increasing mobility, especially in dual-mode households that own both cars and e-bikes. A study in Shanghai's Jiading District found that these households cut car use by up to 19%, favoring e-bikes for shorter trips. E-bikes also enhance travel independence for the elderly, offering a sustainable, flexible alternative that complements rather than replaces public transport | Momentum Magazine

Product Launches & Updates

At Monterey Car Week, electric vehicles (EVs) took center stage alongside traditional luxury cars. Highlights included Acura's Performance EV Concept, BMW's M5 Touring with a hybrid powertrain, and Everatti's electric Land Rover IIA. The event also showcased unique creations like Hispano Suiza's 1,114-horsepower Carmen Sagrera and Rimac's 2,107-horsepower Nevera R. These innovations signal a shift towards electrification in the luxury car market, blending tradition with cutting-edge technology | TechCrunch

GMC has begun delivering the first Sierra EV electric pickup trucks to customers, specifically the limited "Denali Edition 1" priced at nearly $100,000. This model features the unique CrabWalk mode and an impressive 440-mile range, surpassing competitors like the Rivian R1T. As GM's third electric truck on the Ultium platform, the Sierra EV follows the Chevy Silverado EV and GMC Hummer EV, offering premium features at a high price point | The Verge

Can-Am has launched its first two electric motorcycles, the Pulse and Origin, marking its return to the industry. The Pulse is a city-focused bike, while the Origin is designed for both street and off-road use. Both models feature a 47 hp motor and a 100-mile city range. Priced from $13,999 to $16,499, pre-orders are now available, with deliveries expected in early 2025 | Electrek

Lamborghini has unveiled the Temerario, a hybrid super sports car that replaces the Huracán. Featuring a new 4.0-liter V8 engine with turbochargers and a hybrid system, it delivers 907 horsepower and accelerates from 0-62 mph in 2.7 seconds. The car incorporates high-performance features from Lamborghini's Revuelto. While the company's first all-electric vehicle is still in development, the Temerario is set to launch next year, priced over $300,000 | The Verge

Ford has announced that its first vehicle on a new low-cost EV platform will be a mid-size pickup truck, expected in 2027. This marks a shift in Ford’s electrification strategy, as it moves away from fully electric SUVs to focus on hybrids and cost-effective EVs. The decision aligns with broader industry trends, and Ford aims to offer more value, utility, and range with this upcoming truck | TechCrunch

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz 7-seat will debut in the UK at CarFest 2024 from August 23-25. Visitors can see and test drive the 5-seat model and experience the new 7-seat variant with its enhanced features. Starting at £59,545, the 7-seat model offers family-friendly flexibility, including a 291-mile range, spacious interiors, and advanced tech like a 12.9-inch screen. The event will feature a vibrant display and family activities | Electric Car Reports

Ford is shifting its focus from all-electric vehicles to hybrids, citing weak EV demand and competition from Chinese automakers. The company will cancel its planned electric three-row SUV and delay its next-gen electric pickup to 2027. Instead, Ford will offer a range of hybrids and traditional vehicles, including gas and diesel. The move aims to respond to changing market preferences and ensure profitability. Ford's upcoming EVs will be tested for profitability before launch | Wired

Investment & Deals

Beijing lifted restrictions on Chinese companies seeking foreign IPOs, likely due to the decline in foreign direct investment. This opened the door for WeRide, a self-driving tech company, to seek a $5 billion valuation on Nasdaq. However, WeRide's IPO plans were delayed, and the company may need to reapply for regulatory approval | TechCrunch

WeRide, a Guangzhou-based autonomous driving startup, plans a Nasdaq IPO to raise $120 million at a $5 billion valuation, alongside a $320 million private investment. Despite a $69 million net loss on $55 million in revenue last year, WeRide touts global operations across 30 cities in seven countries. Known for its robotaxi service, launched in 2019, the company also offers robobus, autonomous delivery vans, and robosweepers. With $1.1 billion already raised, WeRide's IPO could revitalize the sluggish tech IPO market | BusinessWire

Changan Automobile, the Chinese state-owned automaker based in Chongqing, is deepening its collaboration with Huawei by having its BEV joint venture, Avatr Technology, acquire a 10% stake in Huawei's Yinwang Intelligent Technology for CNY11.5bn. Huawei, retaining 90% ownership, spun off Yinwang to focus on AI-driven automotive systems | Just Auto

Automotive Ventures led an oversubscribed $3.7 million seed round in Chaiz, an online platform for comparing and purchasing vehicle protection products | CBT News

Three cycling industry titans, Wiertz, Vroomen, and Ording, launch Fundracer, a micromobility investment fund. With deep expertise and early investments in Newton Rider, Bo, and Specter, Fundracer is poised to shape the future of urban transportation. The fund's focus on innovation and strategic support positions it for success in the rapidly growing $520 billion micromobility market | Cycling Industry News 

Cities & Policy

Bill Powers, co-founder and CEO of Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) , shares his journey of building a global leader in telematics services. Join Jinny Oh on the Visionaries Podcast to hear how he secured a massive investment and is revolutionizing road safety | Visionaries via Youtube

The Metro GoPass program, now permanent, enrolls over 400,000 students from 1,600 K-12 schools and community colleges across 125 districts, including LA Unified. Originally a 2021 pilot, Mayor Karen Bass extended its benefits via the LIFE program. Amid safety concerns, Metro allocated $193 million annually to a transit police force while offering TAP cards to non-participating students for reduced fares | Los Angeles Times

Melbourne banned e-scooter rentals, ending contracts with Lime and Neuron after a two-year trial, citing 256 injuries, including a fatality, reported by Royal Melbourne Hospital | CNN Travel

Hamburg, Germany, aims to reduce car use and improve public transportation. To achieve this, the city plans to launch a fleet of autonomous electric minibuses, offering free on-demand rides. The pilot phase, partially funded by the government, is set to run until 2026, with the goal of expanding the fleet to 10,000 vehicles by 2030. Hamburg hopes this will reduce emissions and traffic congestion. While there are challenges, the city remains optimistic about the potential benefits of autonomous vehicles | Bloomberg

New Products, Features, and Data Points

Gouach's new fireproof e-bike battery, a rebranded version of Pony's, offers consumers and manufacturers a DIY solution. Its fireproof casing allows for individual cell replacement, reducing costs and environmental impact. Gouach aims to create a circular economy for the batteries and is currently gauging consumer interest. The battery will be available in the US and Europe this September | ZAGDaily

Toyota's latest patent filing for in-wheel electric motors showcases their ongoing commitment to this technology. Building on past experience, they're developing a lightweight gear-case design to address unsprung mass challenges | Green Car Reports

General Motors is laying off 1,000 software workers globally, mostly in Michigan, to streamline its focus on high-priority areas like improving the Super Cruise driver assistance system and refining key infotainment features. The cuts, not driven by cost or performance, aim to speed up GM’s shift to software-defined vehicles after software glitches halted Blazer EV sales in late 2023. Recently, GM promoted two ex-Apple executives to fill leadership gaps in its software and services division | TechCrunch

BeyondMath, an AI simulation startup, uses machine learning to revolutionize engineering. Their digital wind tunnel, a first product, allows engineers to test design changes in real-time. This tool focuses on understanding the physical world, not just existing simulations | TechCrunch

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