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Category: MobilityRevolutionUpdate

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  • Microsoft Invests In Cruise, GM’s Self-Driving Subsidiary

    Microsoft Invests In Cruise, GM’s Self-Driving Subsidiary

    As part of a new $2 billion round of funding, Microsoft has invested in Cruise, GM’s self-driving subsidiary, sending GM’s stock up 9%.

    Headquartered in San Francisco, Cruise’s mission is to bring all-electric, self-driving, shared vehicles to the market. The investment will see Microsoft become the preferred cloud provider for Cruise, as it leverages Azure to help commercialize its vehicle offerings.

    “Our mission to bring safer, better, and more affordable transportation to everyone isn’t just a tech race – it’s also a trust race,” said Cruise CEO Dan Ammann. “Microsoft, as the gold standard in the trustworthy democratization of technology, will be a force multiplier for us as we commercialize our fleet of self-driving, all-electric, shared vehicles.”

    “Advances in digital technology are redefining every aspect of our work and life, including how we move people and goods,” said Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft. “As Cruise and GM’s preferred cloud, we will apply the power of Azure to help them scale and make autonomous transportation mainstream.”

    This latest round of investment brings Cruise’s total valuation to $30 billion. Meanwhile, GM’s stock reached an all-new, intraday high on the news, hitting $54.42 after the opening bell.

  • Ford Delaying Mustang Mach-E Deliveries For Quality Review

    Ford Delaying Mustang Mach-E Deliveries For Quality Review

    Ford customers are in for a bit of disappointment, as the automaker is delaying some Mustang Mach-E deliveries for quality reviews.

    An electric SUV, the Mach-E is one of the most highly-anticipated vehicles, and is considered to be a real challenger to Tesla’s dominance in the electric vehicle market. The SUV was even named North American Utility Vehicle of the Year at the 2021 North American Car, Truck, and Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) Awards.

    Customers looking forward to getting behind the wheel will need to wait a bit longer, however, as they began receiving emails Thursday evening that their orders would be delayed.

    The Detroit Free Press received confirmation from Ford that a few deliveries were already made in December. However, the company confirmed several hundred deliveries would be delayed.

    “As part of our commitment to delivering high-quality vehicles, we are conducting additional quality checks on several hundred Mustang Mach-E models built before dealer shipments started last month. We want to ensure they meet the quality our customers expect and deserve,” Ford spokeswoman Emma Bergg told the Free Press.

    “We notified affected customers (several hundred in US and Canada) that they may receive their Mustang Mach-Es on different timing than previously discussed,” she continued. “The team is working to expedite these vehicles, and we hope that customers receive them ahead of targeted dates, providing there are no COVID-19-related transportation delays.”

    While disappointing for Ford’s customers, the company is obviously concerned with making sure they get this launch perfect. Given what’s at stake, and Ford’s increasingly rivalry with Tesla, it’s understandable that they’re not taking any chances.

  • American Robotics First Company Approved For Automated Drone Flights

    American Robotics First Company Approved For Automated Drone Flights

    American Robotics has become the first company authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fly automated drones.

    The drone industry is exploding, with companies large and small looking to the craft for retail delivery, agriculture, security, inspections, search and rescue, surveying and more. A big milestone toward the growth of the industry, however, is approval for automated flights, without on-site human operators.

    American Robotics is now the first company to receive that authorization. The company specializes in developing fully autonomous drones, featuring the company’s Scout System, with advanced acoustic Detect-and-Avoid (DAA) technology. As a result, the company’s drones maintain a safe distance from other aircraft.

    “With these approvals, American Robotics is ushering in a new era of widespread automated drone operations,” said Reese Mozer, CEO and co-founder of American Robotics. “Decades worth of promise and projection are finally coming to fruition. We are proud to be the first company to meet the FAA’s comprehensive safety requirements, which had previously restricted the viability of drone use in the commercial sector. We are very grateful for the FAA’s willingness to work closely with American Robotics over the past four years on this precedent-setting authorization. With this set of approvals, American Robotics can begin safely operating our automated Scout platform for the benefit of the energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and security market verticals, helping unlock the projected $100 billion commercial drone market.”

    During the testing period, the company’s drones showed the impact they could have on both industry and agriculture.

    “Our interest in American Robotics’ technology started with the desire to have a drone imagery solution that was reliable, scalable, and executed with minimal human resources,” said Lance Ruppert, Director of Agronomy Marketing and Technology at Growmark, Inc., a leading U.S. grower cooperative. “This technology, along with the FAA approvals to operate it without humans on the ground, is key to making drones a widespread reality in our industry. This is a game changer.”

    American Robotics’ approval is good news for the drone industry and is sure to be just the first of many.

  • Archer and Fiat Chrysler Plan to Produce Flying Cars by 2023

    Archer and Fiat Chrysler Plan to Produce Flying Cars by 2023

    Move over Jetsons: Flying cars are on the horizon, with Archer and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) planning production for 2023.

    Flying cars have been a staple of science fiction for decades, but the reality has eluded inventors, scientists and corporations. California-based Archer is dedicated to revolutionizing air travel, with a focus on creating the first all-electric airline. The company is now working with FCA to make flying cars — what it calls electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft — a reality.

    “We’ve been hyper-focused on a customer-first approach to vehicle design and aircraft operations,” said Brett Adcock, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Archer. “Now we are working with a seasoned, industry-leading automotive partner to leverage cost benefits and experience that will allow Archer to produce thousands of aircraft reliably and affordably every single year.”

    “Electrification within the transportation sector, whether on roads or in the air is the future and with any new and rapidly developing technology, scale is important,” said Doug Ostermann, Vice President and Head of Global Business Development of FCA. “Our partnership with Archer has mutual benefits and will enable innovative, environmentally friendly transportation solutions to be brought to market at an accelerated pace.”

    “We are excited to team up with one of the world’s largest automotive companies on our mission of advancing the benefits of sustainable air mobility” said Adam Goldstein, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Archer. “This is a first-of-its-kind deal for one of Detroit’s Big Three auto makers in moving into the Urban Air Mobility space. There is now a clear path for Archer to bring mass production to this industry, changing the way people travel in and around cities forever.”

    Archer’s efforts are one of the most concrete endeavors yet to make flying cars a reality. While production is slated to begin in 2023, the companies plan to unveil their design in early 2021. Partnering with one of Detroit’s Big Three will help bring to bear the necessary resources and expertise to hopefully make the project a success

  • Companies Working to Make Bikes and Scooters Safe, Help Them ‘Talk’ to Cars

    Companies Working to Make Bikes and Scooters Safe, Help Them ‘Talk’ to Cars

    Riding a bike or scooter may become much safer, as a coalition of companies is working to help them “talk” to cars and make drivers aware of their presence.

    As climate change becomes a greater concern, there is growing momentum for individuals, especially in cities, to use bikes and scooters instead of cars. The two-wheeled vehicles are also much less expensive, making them an appealing alternative for many people. Unfortunately, the very circumstances where bikes and scooters shine are also some of the most dangerous places to ride due to streets crowded with cars.

    Tome Software, Ford, Trek Bicycle and Bosch are looking to tackle this problem by helping bikes, scooters and cars to communicate, alerting drivers to the presence of the smaller vehicles. According to The Washington Post, the companies made the announcement at CES2021.

    The bicycle-to-vehicle (B2V) technology will use Bluetooth 5. Given the early stages of the initiative, however, an established methodology has not yet been decided upon.

    “We have completed a critical milestone in cross-industry collaboration while we continue the research and development process through 2021 testing and on-road data collection pilots,” Jake Sigal, founder and chief executive of Tome Software, said in a statement.

    This initiative is good news for cyclists and scooter riders, and will hopefully help make the roads much safer.

  • Apple and Hyundai Set to Sign Partnership

    Apple and Hyundai Set to Sign Partnership

    New reports indicate Apple and Hyundai are on the verge of signing an agreement to manufacture the Apple Car.

    Hyundai made headlines when it released a statement saying it was in talks with Apple to produce the highly anticipated Apple Car. Hyundai seemed to instantly realized it had breached the number one rule of working with Apple — don’t talk about working with Apple — and quickly walked back its statements.

    It appears that Hyundai’s misstep may not have been a fatal one. According to local newspaper Korea IT News, by way of Reuters, the two companies are preparing to sign a partnership.

    The deal will see Hyundai build the Apple Car at its Kia Motors’ factory in Georgia. Alternately, the two companies may build a new factory with the capacity to produce 100,000 around 2024, the initial rumored production window. Eventually, the new factory could produce up to 400,000 vehicles a year.

    If the reports are true, it would represent a big win for Hyundai and be the most solid information yet on the proposed Apple Car plans.

  • Tesla Replaces Facebook As Fifth Most Valuable US Company

    Tesla Replaces Facebook As Fifth Most Valuable US Company

    Tesla entered an exclusive club Friday, becoming the fifth most valuable US company at Facebook’s expense.

    Tesla closed the day Friday with a valuable of $820 billion, making it one of the top five most valuable US companies, according to CNBC. The previous fifth-place company, Facebook, was worth $763 billion at the close of market.

    Tesla’s new valuation places it in exclusive company, along with Apple, Microsoft, Amazon and Alphabet. It also underscores the importance of the electric vehicle (EV) market as countries and companies pivot to environmentally sustainable transportation.

    As CNBC points out, Tesla is benefiting from the recent elections, with President-elect Joe Biden committed to heavy investment in EV charging infrastructure and the domestic auto industry. Similarly, Democratic candidates winning the Georgia runoff races was seen as another boost to Tesla, as it clears potential obstacles to Biden’s agenda and environmental initiatives.

  • Hyundai In Running to Be Apple Car Manufacturer

    Hyundai In Running to Be Apple Car Manufacturer

    Hyundai is evidently in talks with Apple to manufacture its upcoming Apple Car.

    Apple is well-known for designing blockbuster products but, like many tech companies, it relies on outside companies to manufacture its products. With increasing evidence that Apple is once again moving forward with its Apple Car project, the billion dollar question has been: Who will manufacture it?

    It appears Apple is in talks with Hyundai to be its manufacturer, according to Bloomberg. Interestingly, Hyundai has revised its statement at least a couple of times, removing the reference to Apple that was in the initial statement.

    “We’ve been receiving requests for potential cooperation from various companies regarding development of autonomous EVs,” the latest statement says. “No decisions have been made as discussions are in early stage.”

    Hyundai is apparently getting a crash course in being an Apple partner. The Cupertino company is notorious for maintaining secrecy around its upcoming products. When ATI leaked the existence of the G4 Cube before Steve Jobs could announce it, Jobs famously ordered that ATI’s Radeon cards be pulled from the Cube at the last minute in retribution. In contrast, the automotive industry will often host shows wherein they reveal their upcoming designs that are still several years away.

    Hyundai will need to double down on its secrecy if it wants to be Apple’s long-term partner.

  • Apple Car Still Years Away According to Reports

    Apple Car Still Years Away According to Reports

    The rumored Apple Car has been making headlines again, although recent reports are placing its debut several years away.

    The Apple Car seems to be Apple’s on-again, off-again project, with it taking different forms throughout the years. Dubbed “Project Titan” it was alternately believed to be a full car, an OEM AI system for manufacturers to adopt and integrate into their vehicles, or an aftermarket system that could be integrated into a range of vehicles. It now seems as though Apple is once again aiming for a full automobile.

    The most recent rumors placed a possible Apple Car debut in 2021, while some reports place it in 2024. According to the latest reports from Bloomberg, however, it seems the Apple Car is still several years away, with production slated to begin in 2024.

    At the same time, Bloomberg says Apple is continuing to work on a third-party system for integration with other manufacturers, and could still switch its plans to back that effort instead.

    Either way, it appears Tesla has nothing to fear from Apple for at least the next few years.

  • Alphabet’s Waymo Switches to ‘Fully Autonomous Driving’ vs ‘Self-Driving’

    Alphabet’s Waymo Switches to ‘Fully Autonomous Driving’ vs ‘Self-Driving’

    Waymo has announced it will no longer use the term “self-driving,” embracing “fully autonomous driving technology” instead.

    One of Alphabet’s subsidiary companies, Waymo is a company focused on autonomous driving in what is quickly becoming a crowded industry. Waymo says it is making the distinction in an effort to save lives, highlighting that its software is far different than “self-driving” software that still requires human interaction.

    It may seem like a small change, but it’s an important one, because precision in language matters and could save lives. We’re hopeful that consistency will help differentiate the fully autonomous technology Waymo is developing from driver-assist technologies (sometimes erroneously referred to as “self-driving” technologies) that require oversight from licensed human drivers for safe operation. Regardless of who or what is at the helm, safely operating a vehicle on public roads requires careful execution of all the elements of the driving task. Today, the Waymo Driver makes billions of decisions each day as it safely moves people and goods to their destination in fully autonomous mode.

    The fact that Waymo is taking the time make a distinction between “self-driving” and “fully autonomous” is evidence of what’s at stake in the automotive industry.

    The autonomous driving industry is estimated to reach a staggering $556.67 billion by 2026. As a result, companies like Waymo will be doing everything possible to set themselves apart and gain as big a piece of that market as possible.

  • Elon Musk Tried to Sell Tesla to Apple

    Elon Musk Tried to Sell Tesla to Apple

    Elon Musk has revealed that he tried to set up a meeting with Tim Cook to sell Tesla to Apple during the Tesla 3’s “darkest days.”

    Apple has been making headlines with its Project Titan, its effort to disrupt the automotive industry. Project Titan has alternately been described as a fully electric automobile, an AI system that Apple’s partners could integrate with new vehicles, or a third-party system that could be added to a wide range of vehicles. The most recent rumors have the Apple Car debuting in 2021, while others say it will be released in 2024.

    In a surprising revelation, Musk has indicated Apple may have missed out on a golden opportunity to purchase Tesla when the company was worth a tenth of its current value. Musk made the revelation via Twitter, in response to the most recent rumors about the Apple Car.

  • Chinese Drone Maker DJI Faces Uncertain Future As It Faces US Blacklist

    Chinese Drone Maker DJI Faces Uncertain Future As It Faces US Blacklist

    Chinese drone maker DJI is the latest company added to the US trade blacklist, throwing its future into uncertain territory.

    The US and China have been locked in a costly trade war, one that has involved casualties on both sides. The US has blacklisted Huawei and ZTE, claiming the telecom companies represent a threat to national security.

    Now the US has added DJI to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Entity List, according to Digital Trends. Being on the Entity List means that US companies can’t do business with DJI without a special license. The US is concerned about data Chinese companies could collect on US citizens, as well as drone technology being used in China’s persecution of ethnic minorities.

    DJI says customers can still purchase its drones, as being on the Entity List primarily impacts the company’s ability to sell to other businesses.

  • Hyundai Acquiring Boston Dynamics Robotics Firm

    Hyundai Acquiring Boston Dynamics Robotics Firm

    Hyundai is acquiring a majority stake in Boston Dynamics, the maker of robotic dog Spot.

    Hyundai will take an 80% stake Boston Dynamics, while existing owner SoftBank will maintain a 20% stake. Hyundai sees the acquisition as an important step toward its transformation into a Smart Mobility Solution Provider.

    Boston Dynamics Spot
    Boston Dynamics Spot

    Hyundai has increasingly been innovating beyond the traditional concept of the automobile. The company is investing heavily in its Urban Air Mobility platform, in an effort to make aerial transport and ride-sharing a reality. Similarly, Hyundai and Autodesk are working to create the Ultimate Mobility Vehicle(UMV), a vehicle with legs that can walk to reach areas a traditional vehicle cannot. The latter, in particular, is a concept that bears a striking resemblance to Boston Dynamics’ work.

    Elevate
    Elevate

    We are delighted to have Boston Dynamics, a world leader in mobile robots, join the Hyundai team. This transaction will unite capabilities of Hyundai Motor Group and Boston Dynamics to spearhead innovation in future mobility. The synergies created by our union offer exciting new pathways for our companies to realize our goal – providing free and safe movement and higher plane of life experiences for humanity. We will also contribute to the society by enhancing its safety, security, public health amid global trends of aging society and digital transformation. — Euisun Chung Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group

    Hyundai’s stake in Boston Dynamics should help the company continue innovating as automobile makers look beyond traditional transportation.

  • Uber Looking to Sell Uber Elevate Air Taxi Business

    Uber Looking to Sell Uber Elevate Air Taxi Business

    Uber is in talks to sell its air taxi business, Uber Elevate, to Joby Aviation.

    While Uber is best known for its ride sharing business, the company has also been working toward deploying an air taxi service. Most recently, at CES 2020 in January, Hyundai and Uber announced a partnership to help make aerial ride sharing a reality.

    It now appears that Uber wants out, as it is in talks to sell its Uber Elevate division, according to Axios. The talks are in the advanced stages, and have been confirmed by multiple Axios sources. Joby was already an Elevate partner, making it an ideal option to buy the division.

    It remains to be seen how a possible sale could impact other partnerships, such as with Hyundai.

  • GM Enters Car Insurance Game With OnStar

    GM Enters Car Insurance Game With OnStar

    General Motors is looking to transform the automotive insurance industry with the announcement of its OnStar Insurance.

    OnStar has been a signature service offered on GM vehicles for 20 years, providing navigation, hands-free calling, diagnostics, security and emergency services. GM sees an opportunity to capitalize on that track record by offering insurance built around the service.

    Because OnStar has access to existing vehicle systems, it can provide a level of integration and communication other insurance companies would be envious of. OnStar Insurance will provide customers with personalized plans based on their driving habits. Should an accident occur, the system will be able to automatically notify OnStar personal so help can be quickly dispatched.

    “OnStar Insurance will promote safety, security and peace of mind,” said Andrew Rose, president of OnStar Insurance Services. “We aim to be an industry leader, offering insurance in an innovative way. GM customers who have subscribed to OnStar and connected services will be eligible to receive discounts, while also receiving fully-integrated services from OnStar Insurance Services.”

    Provided GM can compete on cost, it’s a safe bet the company will have a hit on its hands with its OnStar Insurance.

  • VW Group Increasing Its Investment in Future Tech

    VW Group Increasing Its Investment in Future Tech

    VW Group has announced it is increasing its investment in future tech to a total of 73 billion euros ($86 billion) over the next five years.

    Automakers all over the world are investing heavily in hybrid and electric vehicles. GM recently announced it was investing $2 billion in electric vehicle manufacturing, Bentley announced its entire lineup would be electric by 2030 and Subaru has committed to selling only electric vehicles by the mid 2030s.

    VW had already committed 60 billion euros to future tech, but has now raised that to 73 billion euros.

    “As part of Volkswagen Group’s investment planning, the Board of Management and Supervisory Board today set the cornerstones for securing the Group’s future success. The transformation of the Group and its brands and the strategic focus on the core areas of mobility will be consistently implemented. Considering the enormous challenges we face in the coming years, our financial basis is very solid,” said Hans Dieter Pötsch, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Volkswagen Group.

    “Having set the course for a battery-electric future in the Volkswagen Group early on, we are now a global leader with our electric platforms and a broad range of electric vehicles,” said Herbert Diess, Chief Executive Officer of the Volkswagen Group. “In the coming years, it will be crucial to also reach a leading position in car software in order to meet people’s needs for individual, sustainable and fully connected mobility in the future. To that end, we have doubled our digitalization spend.”

    The company’s increased investment should help it maintain its position as the world’s largest automaker.

  • Hyundai Select’s NVIDIA DRIVE For Infotainment and AI

    Hyundai Select’s NVIDIA DRIVE For Infotainment and AI

    Hyundai has announced it will be using NVIDIA DRIVE for infotainment and artificial intelligence across its entire vehicle lineup.

    Software has become an increasingly important component in the modern automotive industry. Artificial intelligence, autonomous cars, navigation and infotainment all require advanced software and services.

    NVIDIA DRIVE includes a hardware and software stack, combining “audio, video, navigation, connectivity and artificial intelligence (AI)-based ‘connected car’ services.”

    Hyundai plans to roll out NVIDIA DRIVE across its entire Kia, Hyundai and Genesis lineup, from entry-level cars to its premium models. The software will be deployed beginning in the 2022 model year. One of the main benefits of the system is that it will be perpetually updatable.

    “NVIDIA brought consumer electronic functionality and a graphics-rich user interface to infotainment systems more than a decade ago,” said Ali Kani, Vice President of Autonomous Vehicles at NVIDIA. “Now, we are once again transforming these systems through the power of AI, helping Hyundai Motor Group increase safety and value, along with enhancing customer satisfaction, throughout the lifetime of the vehicle.”

    “At Hyundai Motor Group, we are committed to delivering greater value, safety, functionality and enjoyment over the lifetime of the car,” said Paul Choo, Senior Vice President of Electronics Tech Unit at Hyundai Motor Group. “The NVIDIA DRIVE platform is proven – it is scalable, energy-efficient and has the performance to support our next generation of software-defined vehicles.”

    The announcement is a big win for NVIDIA as it diversifies its business and establishes itself as a leader in AI computing.

  • General Motors Adding 3,000 Tech Jobs

    General Motors Adding 3,000 Tech Jobs

    General Motors is planning to add 3,000 tech jobs in the near future to support its software and vehicle initiatives.

    Like many automakers, GM has been working to transform its business, adopting new technologies and keeping up with the digital transformation. Complex entertainment systems, autonomous cars and electric vehicles are just some of the biggest trends automakers are dealing with.

    GM recently announced it was investing $2 billion in its electric vehicle manufacturing. The company isn’t stopping there, however, as it is also planning on 3,000 new hires in an effort to shore up its electric vehicle efforts. The jobs will also include more remote work opportunities.

    “GM wants to hire electrical system and infotainment software engineers as well as developers for Java, Android, iOS and other platforms,” according to the Houston Chronicle. “The company says it wants to increase diversity with the new hires to build on its existing software expertise.”

    This is just the latest development illustrating how important software programmers have become to the automotive industry, and will continue to be in the years ahead.

  • Consumer Reports: GM’s Super Cruise Takes Top Spot, Tesla Autopilot ‘Distant Second’

    Consumer Reports: GM’s Super Cruise Takes Top Spot, Tesla Autopilot ‘Distant Second’

    Consumer Reports has ranked 17 active driver assistance programs, and GM’s Super Cruise has taken the top spot.

    While fully autonomous cars are still being developed, the vast majority of automakers offer active driver assistance programs that help drivers stay alert and drive safely. While Tesla’s system gets the lion’s share of media attention, Consumer Reports labeled it a “distant second,” when compared with GM’s Super Cruise.

    Even after two years, Cadillac’s Super Cruise remained our top-rated system because, when turned on, it uses direct driver monitoring to warn drivers that appear to have stopped paying attention to the road. General Motors told CR that Super Cruise will be on 22 GM vehicles by 2023.

    One of the key differentiating features is Super Cruise’s ability to monitor a driver’s eyes and make sure they’re watching the road.

    “Even with new systems from many different automakers, Super Cruise still comes out on top due to the infrared camera ensuring the driver’s eyes are looking toward the roadway,” says Kelly Funkhouser, CR’s head of connected and automated vehicle testing.

    In the final score, Cadillac Super Cruise scored a 69, while Tesla came in second place with a score of 57. Lincoln/Ford Co-Pilot 360 rounded out the top three with a score of 52.

    The full, rather long, report is well worth a look.

  • Hyundai and Autodesk Creating the Ultimate Mobility Vehicle

    Hyundai and Autodesk Creating the Ultimate Mobility Vehicle

    Hyundai is working together with engineering firm Autodesk to design and create “Elevate,” the first Ultimate Mobility Vehicle (UMV).

    The UMV was first shown last year at CES, and represents Hyundai’s ongoing efforts to innovate beyond basic car designs. The company is working with Uber to create aerial ridesharing vehicles and is increasing its investment in electric vehicles.

    The Elevate platform is designed to combine automobile and robotics technology to create a vehicle that can go where no traditional vehicle can. The Elevate can drive on standard roads, or elevate itself on robotic arms for walking and climbing.

    Elevate Mammalian Mode
    Elevate Mammalian Mode

    Elevate is aimed at addressing a wide array of situations where traditional vehicles fall short, such as search and rescue, exploration, transport on uneven ground and transportation for mobility impaired individuals.

    Elevate Exploration
    Elevate Exploration

    “When a tsunami or earthquake hits, current rescue vehicles can only deliver first responders to the edge of the debris field. They have to go the rest of the way by foot. Elevate can drive to the scene and climb right over flood debris or crumbled concrete,” said John Suh, Hyundai vice president and head of Hyundai CRADLE. “This technology goes well beyond emergency situations – people living with disabilities worldwide that don’t have access to an ADA ramp could hail an autonomous Hyundai Elevate that could walk up to their front door, level itself, and allow their wheelchair to roll right in – the possibilities are limitless.”

    Elevate Mobility Impaired Transport
    Elevate Mobility Impaired Transport

    Hyundai created New Horizons Studio in Silicon Valley to develop the UMV, and has partnered with Autodesk to make the concept a reality.

    “More than 10 years ago, we identified the pain points, rework required and loss of valuable information when projects move from one phase to the next and the associated files don’t play nicely in the heterogenous environments organizations so often use,” says Srinath Jonnalagadda, vice president of design and manufacturing at Autodesk. “Creating a design and engineering platform that helps remove those hurdles, while also putting advanced capabilities such as generative design tools at the fingertips of designers, has been our North Star for a decade. The Elevate project is a showcase of how leaders like Hyundai can now enjoy the fruits of that vision.”

    While it may look like something straight out of science fiction, it’s unique abilities will likely make it a hit with its target market.

  • GM Investing $2 Billion In US Electric Vehicle Manufacturing

    GM Investing $2 Billion In US Electric Vehicle Manufacturing

    GM has announced it is investing at least $2 billion to increase production of its electric vehicles.

    The company plans to transition its Spring Hill, TN factory to electric vehicle production, making it the third one equipped to do so. The all-new, electric Cadillac LYRIQ will be produced at Spring Hill, along with the Cadillac XT6 and XT5. The facility will continue to build a blend of traditional and electric vehicles.

    The company is also investing in five of its Michigan plants, investments that will help with future pickup and crossover production, as well as Cruise AV production. With this announcement, GM joins the list of automakers doubling down on an all-electric future.

    “We are committed to investing in the U.S., our employees and our communities,” said GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra. “These investments underscore the success of our vehicles today, and our vision of an all-electric future.”