Mobility Resources
GM Detroit plant would get $3 billion investment to stay open
General Motors has agreed to invest $3 billion in the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant to build electric pickups, vans and battery modules, according to a copy of the proposed UAW contract obtained by Automotive News. The plant, which was scheduled to close in January, would employ 2,225 people at full capacity, GM told the union.
Bollinger unwraps electric B1, B2
Bollinger Motors recently showcased its electric off-road B1 four-door SUV and B2 pickup. The trucks boast impressive design and output features, including the ability to handle up to three feet of water.
Hyundai and Aptiv to set up $4 billion autonomous driving joint venture
The Hyundai Motor Group and Aptiv are set to establish a $4 billion autonomous driving joint venture in which the firms will each have a 50 percent stake. The companies said the joint venture, which will have headquarters in Boston, would focus on advancing the “design, development and commercialization of SAE Level 4 and 5 autonomous technologies.”
Canoo takes the covers off of its debut electric vehicle
The Los Angeles-based startup Canoo has finally unveiled its first model, the eponymously named Canoo. The Canoo designers have departed pretty radically from the traditional designs that other electric vehicle manufacturers have favored, going with something that looks more like a VW Microbus than the sport utility vehicle that Byton is aiming for, or Tesla and Fisker’s sports cars and sedans or Rivian’s electric trucks.
Ford expands self-driving vehicle fleet to Austin
Ford is adding another city to the list of places it’s going to be deploying self-driving vehicles: Austin. The automaker revealed that the Texas city would join Miami-Dade County and Washington, D.C. as the third deployment location for its autonomous vehicle testing and commercial service development. As with its prior roll-outs, Ford will first begin by putting its Fusion Hybrid AV test vehicles, which are powered by Argo AI autonomous driving technology, on Austin roads by the end of November to begin mapping the city. Mapping cars will have a safety driver and an observer on board, and the cars will be collecting data to build the HD maps needed for eventual deployment of pilot commercial services with partners.
Self-driving vehicle startup Zoox has expanded to Las Vegas
Zoox, the autonomous vehicle startup, is expanding to Las Vegas, CTO Jesse Levinson said at TechCrunch Disrupt SF. The startup, which has raised $800 million and has been testing on public roads in San Francisco, said Las Vegas is a target market for its autonomous driving fleet and service. Las Vegas will serve as an anchor market for Zoox. The company plans to test, validate and refine its technology with future plans to launch an autonomous ride-hailing service there, Levinson said. Zoox received permission from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles in early 2019 to drive autonomously on state roads.
Rivian eyes subscriptions for EV trucks
Rivian, the electric- truck startup that keeps attracting support from the industry establishment, is looking to offer a subscription service as part of its factory-direct retail model after it launches next year, said CEO. Subscriptions have emerged as a new model in the luxury sector to give customers access to a range of vehicles for a monthly fee.
Top 10 robotics stories of September 2019
The top 10 most popular robotics stories on The Robot Report were announced late last week, with FarmWise reaching the top of the list. FarmWise Labs Inc., which is building adaptive robots for agriculture, has raised $14.5 million in a Series A round. The company’s stated goal is to provide precise care to each plant for a greater yield, more profits for farmers, and a healthier environment. It has begun with an autonomous weeding robot.
Maserati outlines its electrified and autonomous future
Maserati, one of Fiat Chrysler's Italian luxury marques, is ready to cannonball into an electrified future. The company laid out its plans for its electrification and autonomous strategy. All of the happenings are part of FCA's grander strategy, which it laid out in its most recent five-year plan detailed in 2018. Then, we learned Maserati planned to roll out eight plug-in hybrid models and four electric cars. The company also confirmed the gorgeous Alfieri sports car was headed to production.
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