Lime's Gen4 Seated Scooter: Saddle Up for a Smoother Ride | November 3rd, 2023
Also, Onewheel is launching the Onewheel GT S-Series, Uber customers in Metro Phoenix can now book a Waymo ride, and Austin's MetroBike program has secured $11.3 million in federal funding.
Issue [#211] - Every week, we deliver analysis and curation of emerging mobility news - post a job listing here!
Micromobility
Dott, the European micro-mobility operator, conducted research using AI-powered cameras on its shared e-scooters in major European and Israeli cities. The study focused on pavement riding and found that 71% of such instances were influenced by road and infrastructure conditions. The primary reason was accessing on-pavement scooter parking, followed by riders using zebra crossings leading to the pavement | Intelligent Transport
Fifteen companies and associations, including Uber, Bolt, and MaaS Alliance, and others, have issued an open letter to EU governments, advocating for stricter air pollution standards. They pledge support for the EU's goal of achieving Zero Air Pollution by 2050. This highlights the persistent health and economic impacts of air pollution, costing Europe an estimated €15 billion annually in lost working days, despite progress made in the past decade | Electrek
According to a recent study, cyclists may exhibit better ethics than drivers. The research in the Journal of Environmental Psychology suggests that the connection between cyclists and their environment fosters a sense of community and encourages collective actions, while drivers in their isolated mobility may exhibit more individualistic behaviors. This highlights the potential impact of transportation choices on one's orientation towards the common good | StreetBlogs NYC
Fifteen companies and associations, including Uber, Bolt, and MaaS Alliance, and others, have issued an open letter to EU governments, advocating for stricter air pollution standards. They pledge support for the EU's goal of achieving Zero Air Pollution by 2050. This highlights the persistent health and economic impacts of air pollution, costing Europe an estimated €15 billion annually in lost working days, despite progress made in the past decade | ZAGDaily
Product Launches & Updates
Lime is globally introducing its Gen4 seated scooter, currently available in San Francisco and Chicago. This design, an evolution of Lime's Gen4 e-scooter, comes with a padded seat and dedicated storage, catering to a broader audience. The scooter boasts swappable batteries and safety enhancements, such as improved suspension, larger wheels for a smoother ride, and a lower baseboard for stability during rider mounting and dismounting | ZAGDaily
Cariad, VW’s software arm, faces another delay in its new software system due to a big staff cut. The unit will slash 2,000 jobs, pushing back the software 1.2. project by over a year. The software 1.2. platform is being developed for the Porsche Macan EV and the Audi Q6 E-Tron and was initially scheduled for completion in 2022 | TechCrunch
Just a month after recalling all their electric skateboards due to safety concerns, Onewheel is launching the Onewheel GT S-Series, their fastest and most expensive board, at $3,200. This new model includes a safety feature called Haptic Buzz, which vibrates the board to warn of low battery, excessive torque, or errors, addressing previous issues reported | The Verge
Chevy unveiled its Equinox EV rollout plan, revealing a delayed launch in early 2024, with a higher-than-expected starting price of $49,000 for the front-wheel drive model and $3,400 more for AWD. However, a $30,000 base model is promised by the end of 2024 (now priced at $34,995), offering an impressive 319-mile range, along with potential discounts that could make it a mid-$20K car or less, making it a compelling option | TechCrunch
Ridehailing, Carsharing & Delivery
A Waymo car, which drives itself without a human driver, can now be an option for Uber customers in Metro Phoenix. They can select a Waymo ride when they book one of four types of rides on the Uber app. This is the result of a strategic partnership between Waymo and Uber that began in 2023 | Intelligent Transport
DoorDash now displays a pop-up in-app, cautioning orders without a tip may encounter longer delivery times. This is because tips make orders more enticing for Dashers, boosting order acceptance rates. Conversely, orders with no tip are less attractive, increasing the chances of rejection and potentially delaying meals at the restaurant | The Verge
VOOL, an EV charging company, addresses grid vulnerabilities by employing cutting-edge technology that triples the efficiency of the existing grid. According to Juhan Härm, VOOL’s CEO, they've developed a seamless method for load redistribution between the three phases, ensuring uninterrupted and sustainable automatic charging. In cases of high consumption in one phase, their technology directs VOOL chargers to shift to a less burdened phase, preventing electrical fuse disruptions | Tech.eu
Meet NYC delivery workers Bryan Joseph and Marianna Suleman. Bryan, an Uber Eats rider in Brooklyn, cherishes the city's diversity. Despite low tips and traffic hurdles, his enthusiasm and the thrill of urban navigation precede over income. Meanwhile, Marianna, a multitasking mother and senior center director, defies stereotypes and redefines gig work, exemplifying adaptability among women from various backgrounds seeking financial stability | Anna Kadet
Investment & Deals
Toyota will invest $8 billion in its first North American EV battery factory as part of its global plan to introduce 30 battery-electric models by the end of the decade | TechCrunch
The infusion of working capital will fuel Waev's progress and enable the company to introduce new products to the market on a larger scale, meeting the increasing customer demands for their EV solutions | Ground Hailing International
Austin's MetroBike program has been granted $11.3 million in federal funding, enabling the program to expand and enhance its services while transitioning to a complete electric bicycle fleet | Austin Monitor
To build intelligent containers for pharmaceutical transportation, SkyCell has secured $57 million in funding, valuing the company at $600 million | TechCrunch
The Texas Transportation Commission has approved over $345 million for 83 projects, including infrastructure improvements such as new sidewalks and bikeways to enhance safety and quality of life in Texas communities | Kxan
Cities & Policy
Tax credits and subsidies for electric bikes in the United States are experiencing substantial growth, providing increased financial incentives for consumers. These measures aim to encourage the adoption of electric bikes and support the transition towards greener transportation options | Electrek
In yet another triumph for Tesla, a jury sided with the automaker, rejecting claims that its Autopilot advanced driver assistance system played a role in a fatal incident | TechCrunch
Mayor Giuseppe Sala of Milan, one of Italy's bustling cities, has put forward a proposal to prohibit cars from the city center. With the aim of curbing pollution in this densely populated metropolis of 1.4 million residents, the mayor plans to implement similar measures in the future | EuroNews
Unveiling the Drive for Change: Cities Address the Disarray Caused by Free On-Street Parking, Critics Assert | CNN
E-scooters face public backlash in the UK, with 60% supporting a ban, reveals survey | The Guardian
UAW and General Motors reach tentative agreement, ending six-week strike impacting Big Three automakers and 50,000 workers | TechCrunch
New Products, Features, and Data Points
Toyota and Lexus have embraced Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS), leading Subaru to follow suit due to Toyota's ownership stake | TechCrunch
Piaggio (PIA.MI), the renowned Italian scooter manufacturer, recorded a robust 13.8% growth in its nine-month core profit | Reuters
EV sales surge, over 100 models available, improved charging infrastructure - yet an air of sudden uncertainty looms | The Verge
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