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Hello people, I’m again from CES 2024 and able to share what I noticed and heard!
However first, massive adjustments are coming to this weekly transportation e-newsletter. We’re retiring “The Station” title. Subsequent week, search for “TechCrunch Mobility” in your inbox. Inside, you’ll discover the identical insightful transportation information, though it is going to be delivered in additional digestible bites.
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CES 2024
One other loopy CES 2024 has wrapped and I noticed rather a lot.
To get a way of the primary transportation tech traits at CES 2024, check out my roundup right here. Tl;dr: AI, EVs, automated driving, in-car tech and buzzy discuss in regards to the software-defined car was in every single place. But additionally, hydrogen!
I additionally spoke to rather a lot of startup founders about their largest challenges and hopes for 2024. There’s nonetheless some concern round fundraising, though for the primary time in awhile I heard an upbeat tone from buyers and founders alike.
Here’s a pattern of our CES 2024 protection:
• Kodiak Robotics reveals its greatest shot at making self-driving trucks a enterprise
• Hyundai says its electric air taxi business will take flight in 2028
• Honda bets its electric future on ‘thin, light’ 0 sequence EVs at CES 2024
• Mobinn developed a supply bot that can handle stairs with ease
• Pivotal kicked off US sales of its light-weight electrical private Helix plane
• Volkswagen is bringing ChatGPT into its vehicles and SUVs
Deal of the week
Micromobility corporations targeted on shared rides carry on consolidating. The newest deal is between Dott and Tier, two main European corporations within the house, introduced plans to merge. The transaction is anticipated to shut inside two months.
Business watchers are probably not shocked. Free-floating scooter and e-bike corporations have been struggling. Inside the previous month, Superpedestrian introduced that it could shut down and Hen filed for chapter.
Dott and Tier execs are betting that combining groups and operations is the very best half to profitability.
Different offers that bought my consideration …
Finn, a Munich-based startup that operates a platform for brand new automobile subscriptions raised €100 million ($109-110 million) in a Sequence C spherical that values the corporate at €600 million post-money ($658 million at present charges). Planet First Companions, a European development fairness agency, led the spherical.
One other piece of bankrupt Proterra has been offered. Phoenix Motor acquired Proterra’s transit enterprise line.
HAAS Alert, which delivers street security info and hazard warnings by way of in-vehicle digital notifications, raised $15 million from Boston growth-equity agency Volition Capital.
Notable reads and different tidbits
Autonomous autos
Anthony Levandowski wrote an op-ed for TechCrunch that provides his view on whether or not 2024 will (lastly) be the yr of the autonomous car?
TuSimple is placing a few of its self-driving vehicles up for public sale following its U.S. exit.
Waymo plans to start out testing its driverless passenger autos on the highway later this month.
Electrical autos, batteries & charging
Google retains rolling out options geared toward EV homeowners; the newest function exhibits real-time battery info in Google Maps.
Hertz is dialing back its massive EV play. TC+ reporter Tim de Chant weighs in on why in an article that focuses on ride-hailing.
Kia revealed a brand new commercial EV lineup and already has lined up Uber as a companion.
Lordstown Motors, the bankrupt EV startup, may very well be on the hook for $45 million for violating federal securities laws.
Lucid’s latest delivery data exhibits its gross sales hunch is persisting even because it slashes costs.
Tesla is now promoting the revamped version of its Mannequin 3 sedan in america, simply 4 months after it debuted in China and Europe.
In-car tech and safety
Hyundai Motor India mentioned it fixed a bug that uncovered prospects’ private information
WTF is a software-defined vehicle? TechCrunch takes on this overrated time period.
