Hello again, Vehicle 2.0 listeners! We’re excited to return from an extended break with a news-focused episode to get back in the groove.
This week is an exciting one, given yesterday's Fleet Management as a Service announcement. Scot kicks off this episode by diving into some of the finer FMaaS details from the Spiffy perspective. From there, he dives into a variety of news articles, which are linked for you below the player!
Connectivity
FCA to Launch New In-vehicle Uconnect Market Commerce Platform
“Uconnect Market, a new in-vehicle commerce platform that gives customers the opportunity to conveniently order food, find the nearest gas station, save money on fuel purchases and make dinner reservations. Customers can skip lines and save time by ordering (and paying for) food and beverages, reserve a table on the way to their favorite restaurant or locate and securely authorize pump-and-pay fuel at participating locations.”
Read more here!
Connected Car Device Market Expected to Surpass $20 billion by 2026
“According to a report from Transparency Market Research, the global connected car device market is anticipated to surpass US$ 20 Bn by 2026, expanding at a CAGR of more than 11% during the forecast period.”
“Demand for vehicle connectivity driven by consumers, government, insurance companies, and auto manufactures is expected to rise at a steady pace during the forecast period.”
Read more here!
Changing Ownership Models
California’s AB 5 Bill and how it will threaten Uber and Lyft
“AB 5 is one of the biggest challenges yet to the ride-hailing companies’ business models and would rewrite the rules of the entire gig economy. Hundreds of thousands of independent contractors in California, ranging from Uber and Amazon drivers to manicurists and exotic dancers, would likely become employees under the bill.”
Read more here!
Electrification
BMW accelerates electric vehicle rollout plans
“‘By 2021, we will have doubled our sales of electrified vehicles compared with 2019,’ Harald Krüger, chairman of the board of BMW AG, said in a statement.”
“BMW is also pushing for more plug-in hybrid tech with an “eDrive Zones” function will be standard on all BMW plug-in hybrids starting in 2020. This tech will force vehicles to shut off their internal combustion engines and rely solely on electric power in cities that establish emission-free "green zones" anywhere in the world.”
Read more here!
Autonomy
Uber buys AI firm to advance push on autonomous cars
"Uber said Wednesday it has acquired computer vision startup Mighty AI to help advance its technology for self-driving cars. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, but the ride-hailing giant said some 40 employees from the Seattle-based firm would join Uber's advanced technology group developing plans for autonomous taxis."
"'The team at Mighty AI has built technology to label at scale using the latest AI and user experience techniques,' said Jon Thomason, vice president of software engineering for the Uber division."
Read more here!
Highs and lows for GM’s Cruise
“In the middle of April, Honda Motor CEO Takahiro Hachigo hopped into a self-driving car prototype made by General Motors’ Cruise Automation for a demonstration ride. It didn’t go well. About 20 minutes in, the car’s software suddenly turned itself off even as the car kept moving. A man sitting behind the wheel—the backup driver—had to take control. Attempts to restart the system failed, and a second Cruise vehicle had to pick up Mr. Hachigo to finish the demonstration.”
“GM CEO Mary Barra, facing an aggressive timeline to launch a self-driving taxi fleet, tells "Axios on HBO" they won't deploy the technology until it is safer than a human driver.”
Renault and Nissan sign deal with Waymo
“Renault and Nissan to become the first automotive manufacturers to explore driverless mobility services with Waymo in France and Japan.”
Read more about Nissan here!
Aurora signs deals with FCA, Hyundai & Kia
“The deal with one of the Detroit Three will expand Aurora's scope, 'allowing us to offer a variety of solutions to strategic customers in logistics, transit and other use cases,’ the Palo Alto, California-based company said in a brief statement.”
“‘With the new investment, the companies have agreed to expand research to a wide range of models and to build an optimal platform for Hyundai and Kia's autonomous vehicles,’ Hyundai said,”
A Ford-VW partnership could rank among AV leaders
“A potential autonomous-vehicle partnership between Ford Motor Co. and Volkswagen Group would cement the pair as leaders and validate Ford's under-the-radar efforts in the uncertain market.”
Read more here!
That’s all for this week’s quick news recap. We’ll be back next week with an exciting guest, who will guide us into a deep dive on electrification. Stay tuned for a summer filled with new expert guests and opportunities to explore the future of vehicles!
If you don’t want to miss a future episode of the podcast, then be sure to subscribe via your favorite podcast app or website and stay tuned for new releases!
Posted in Vehicle 2.0
