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Category: TransportationRevolution

TransportationRevolution

  • The Great Combustion Ban Has Begun, But Are Phase-Out Targets Realistic

    The ban on combustion engine vehicles has begun, as countries around the world are rolling out sweeping new laws that will see the partial to full ban of new diesel and gas-powered vehicles in the coming decade. 

    On February 21, the European Union approved new laws that will halt the sale of combustion engine vehicles by 2035. The bloc is one of the largest regions that have joined the growing list of countries looking to halt the sale of fossil fuel cars in an ongoing effort to reach net-zero carbon emission goals. 

    The new laws would impose financial penalties on all gas and diesel-operated vehicles, within the 27 member countries, which will steadily help phase out all fossil fuel vehicles in the coming 12 years. 

    The bloc now joins countries including Canada, China, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, among others who all have set out deadlines to reach net-zero goals. 

    The sale of new electric vehicles (EVs) nearly doubled between 2020 and 2021, seeing more than 6.6 million new EVs being registered worldwide. According to the International Energy Agency, around 10% of new cars sold in 2021 were fully electric. 

    Steady demand from consumers have meant that traditional household automotive names have now also entered the race to become industry leaders. Even with EV prices still elevated, higher than the average combustion engine car, demand has continued growing. 

    In the U.S., EV representation increased by 65% in 2022, recording a two-third increase from the year before. EVs accounted for 5.8% of all new cars sold last year, an improvement from the 3.1% recorded in 2021.

    While many countries embark on their ambitious net-zero goals, some believe target dates may be unrealistic, never mind considering the financial and economic impact it will have. 

    Governments from Italy, the Czech Republic, and Hungary have already questioned the legitimacy of the new laws imposed by the European Parliament. While government officials understand the need for cleaner and more reliable mobility in the bloc, many feel the deadlines set out by the EU Parliament give them little time to properly plan for the transition. 

    Italy’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajan called for the legislation to be reviewed, calling for a reduction of 90% in carbon emissions, rather than 100 percent. 

    The country is home to household automotive brands such as Alfa Romeo, Fiat, and Ferrari, with the industry employing close to 270,000 citizens. 

    Slovakia, in Eastern Europe, has been gradually planning its green transition under new European laws since 2013. The country’s automotive industry contributes roughly 13% of its GDP, and vehicle manufacturing makes up 33% of the country’s exports, mainly to European markets. 

    While Slovakia has been working towards similar zero-emission goals, the EV manufacturing industry is still largely powered by fossil fuels. On top of this, the country’s EV industry is still somewhat in its development phases, relying on affordable, if not completely cheap, labor. 

    The worldwide fossil fuel ban has also seen Australia looking to introduce new laws that will soon see Australians having to purchase cleaner, battery-powered vehicles in the coming decades. 

    The recent move by the EU has prompted the Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA) to have a more aggressive stance to introduce partial bans on gas-operated vehicles. 

    President of the AEVA, Chris Jones said that 2035 is perhaps a conservative position to ban new fossil fuel cars, and it would put pressure on other countries, including Australia to adapt to the fast-growing global demand for EVs. 

    Automakers that manufacture less than 1,000 new combustion engine vehicles could potentially be barred from the ban, but that could potentially lower safety standards in the country, aligning Australian drivers to receive similar EVs currently available in developing nations. 

    While countries across the board are willing to sacrifice economic growth and development across several industries, many are skeptical about whether phase-out dates are realistic enough. There is a lot of potential for the future of electric vehicles, yet this time many hope it will be a sustainable long-term solution that’s realistic enough to achieve. 

  • FAA Takes Steps to Prevent Database Errors That Grounded Flights

    FAA Takes Steps to Prevent Database Errors That Grounded Flights

    The US Federal Aviation Administration has implemented safeguards to prevent database errors that grounded flights in January.

    On January 11, a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system outage impacted some 11,000 flights in the US. In the days after the incident, the FAA issued a statement explaining the cause:

    A preliminary FAA review of last week’s outage of the Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system determined that contract personnel unintentionally deleted files while working to correct synchronization between the live primary database and a backup database. The agency has so far found no evidence of a cyber-attack or malicious intent. The FAA continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the outage.

    The FAA made the necessary repairs to the system and has taken steps to make the NOTAM system more resilient. The agency is acting quickly to adopt any other lessons learned in our efforts to ensure the continuing robustness of the nation’s air traffic control system.

    According to Reuters, the FAA has implemented “a one-hour synchronization delay for one of the backup databases. This action will prevent data errors from immediately reaching that backup database.” The FAA also said it “now requires at least two individuals to be present during the maintenance of the (messaging) system, including one federal manager.”

  • Airlines Have Until 2024 to Mitigate 5G Issues

    Airlines Have Until 2024 to Mitigate 5G Issues

    The Federal Aviation Administration has given airlines until 2024 to install equipment to mitigate issues caused by 5G.

    Verizon and AT&T spent tens of billions to purchase mid-band spectrum for their 5G rollout. Unfortunately, the spectrum is very close to that used by aircraft altimeters, leading to concerns that 5G could cause dangerous interference with flights.

    After negotiations and multiple concessions, Verizon and AT&T agreed to limit their mid-band 5G deployment around airports for a limited time, but the airline industry was unable to meet the agreed upon deadline of July 2023.

    According to a notice of proposed rule making, the FAA wants to make February 1, 2024 the new deadline for aircraft to be retrofitted.

    Non-radio altimeter tolerant airplanes can operate under part 121 subject to the revised AFM limitations until February 1, 2024, without meeting the radio altimeter performance requirements proposed in this AD. If this AD is finalized as proposed, after February 1, 2024, airplanes operating under part 121 must meet the radio altimeter tolerant requirements specified.

    The FAA is also concerned that errors — even minor ones — occurring as a result of 5G interference could lead to “desensitization” of the crew to error messages, increasing the chance of something important being missed.

    The FAA has assessed the cumulative effects of increasing numbers of erroneous warnings across the fleet of transport and commuter airplanes. Although they may seem minor in isolation such that some may consider them a mere nuisance, these warnings have safety implications over time. The erroneous warnings increase flightcrew workload as they try to ascertain the validity of the warning. Repeated determinations that the warning occurred in error will lead to flightcrew desensitization to warnings from these safety systems. In other words, as the flightcrew becomes more desensitized to erroneous warnings, they are less likely to react to an accurate warning, negating the safety benefits of the warning altogether and likely leading to a catastrophic incident.

    The FAA is clearly ready to put the whole 5G fiasco behind it, while Verizon and AT&T are eager to use the spectrum they spent billions acquiring. It appears all parties may be satisfied early next year.

  • Delta SkyMiles Members to Get Free In-Flight Wi-Fi, Courtesy of T-Mobile

    Delta SkyMiles Members to Get Free In-Flight Wi-Fi, Courtesy of T-Mobile

    T-Mobile and Delta Airlines have announced a partnership to offer free in-flight Wi-Fi, regardless of the customer’s carrier of choice.

    T-Mobile customers have enjoyed free in-flight Wi-Fi for some time, but now Delta SkyMiles members will receive the same benefit. The expanded partnership between the two companies goes into effect February 1.

    “At T-Mobile, we believe staying connected while traveling should be an easy, seamless experience,” said Mike Sievert, T-Mobile CEO. “T-Mobile customers already get free in-flight Wi-Fi, and now we’re partnering with Delta to bring that experience to all SkyMiles Members so that anyone flying Delta can enjoy online access from takeoff to touchdown.”

    The service will first be available on domestic mainline Delta flights, with some 700 aircraft equipped by the end of 2023. The service will expand to include international and regional flights by the end of 2024.

    “The ability to stay connected while seeing the world is simply foundational. Delta’s new partnership with T-Mobile signifies another exciting step forward as we lead the industry in delivering a differentiated onboard experience that’s as comfortable and personalized as sitting in your own living room,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian.

  • France Wants Flying Taxis in Time for 2024 Paris Olympics

    France Wants Flying Taxis in Time for 2024 Paris Olympics

    France is hoping to have flying taxis available for visitors to the 2024 Paris Olympics and is moving forward with trials.

    Once the realm of science fiction, flying taxis are moving closer to reality, with multiple companies working to bring them to market. France wants to fast track adoption and is studying different scenarios to integrate flying taxis with Parisian life.

    “At the 2019 Paris Air Show, Groupe ADP, RATP Group and Airbus haves announced the launch, with the support of the Ministry of Transport, of a study for the implementation of an Urban Air Mobility service for the 2024 Olympic Games,” said  Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, the French Minister Delegate for Transport. “I’m delighted to see one of the concrete results of this partnership being implemented here in Pontoise, and the whole ecosystem that is coming together. The French State is fully committed to the financing, with nearly 25 million euros already provided by the Council for Civil Aeronautics Research (CORAC) for the development of flying taxis, but also for the support of projects with the DGAC and the Agency for Innovation in Transport. Everything is falling into place: partnerships, innovation, test areas, regulations, financing. All the ingredients for success are there, all that remains is to make it happen.”

    The trials will include “Volocopter, Airbus, Vertical Aerospace and Ascendance, the German aviation company Lilium and the American eVTOL manufacturer Joby Aviation.”

    The goal is to establish a flying taxi hub 35 km northwest of Paris and to average 60 flights a day, or 60,000 flights a year. Given the amount of visitors anticipated for the 2024 Olympics, authorities are betting big on the tech.

    Alexandra Dublanche, Vice-President of the Ile-de-France Region in charge of Recovery, Attractiveness, Economic Development and Innovation, and President of the Choose Paris Region agency, added: “Tomorrow’s air mobility is being built at the Pontoise airfield thanks to the support of Paris Region and its entire ecosystem. In addition to our support for electric aircrafts and for the development of hydrogen-based solutions for aviation, this initiative will help strengthen our status as Europe’s leading region in the field of Aeronautics and Space. With the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games, mastering these new technologies and uses in a densely populated area like Paris Region is not an option, it is a must.”

  • Spirit Airline Shareholders Clear Path to JetBlue Merger

    Spirit Airline Shareholders Clear Path to JetBlue Merger

    The path to a merger is clearer, with Spirit Airlines shareholders voting in favor of a merger with JetBlue.

    JetBlue made a bid to purchase Spirit in early April, ending an attempt by rival Frontier Airlines to merge with Spirit. The deal, ultimately worth some $3.8 billion, needed shareholder and regulatory approval.

    According to Reuters, the former issue has been resolved, with Spirit’s shareholders voting in favor of the deal. Although exact numbers won’t be revealed until an upcoming regulatory filing, the majority of shareholders did vote in favor.

    Regulatory approval could still prove to be a challenge, although the two airlines will no doubt make the case that they need to merge to continue competing with their larger rivals, especially as the industry continues to recover from the pandemic.

  • Intel’s Mobileye Targeting 2024 For ‘Autonomous Mover’ Shuttles

    Intel’s Mobileye Targeting 2024 For ‘Autonomous Mover’ Shuttles

    Mobileye, Intel’s autonomous driving subsidiary, is working to bring autonomous shuttles to the market by 2024.

    The autonomous market has been heating up, with automakers racing to advance the sophistication of their AI with the goal of delivering a truly autonomous driving experience. Intel’s Mobileye is considered the “dark horse” in the industry, leveraging Intel’s experience and resources along with its own.

    According to the companies, Mobileye will bring fully-electric, autonomous shuttles to the market, in partnership with Benteler Electric Vehicle Systems and Beep. Beep specializes in next-generation autonomous, electric vehicles (EVs), while Benteler is a leader in the manufacturing of various EV components. The three companies are working on “autonomous movers,” multipassenger, autonomous EVs, which will be deployed in the US first.

    “Multipassenger micro-transit needs are ever-increasing in our cities and towns globally and must be addressed in order to reduce road congestion, protect the environment and provide safe, reliable mobility for all to access,” explained Hinrich Woebcken, advisory board member for Beep and former CEO of Volkswagen North America. “Bringing to market an affordable, automotive-grade, electric, autonomous mover is a solution that will transform mobility as we know it today.”

    The shuttles will offer 24/7 transportation, giving passengers a cost-effective option.

    “Autonomous movers are the solution for future public transportation, solving the mobility challenges of increasing urbanization and emissions,” said Marco Kollmeier, managing director of Benteler EV Systems GmbH. “These movers need to be robust for 24/7 public or commercial use, at optimized costs and with excellent riding comfort. Consequently, we decided to go for this strategic collaboration with our partners Mobileye and Beep, to build autonomous movers delivering exactly against these market demands. Another example of how we make the mobility of tomorrow lighter, safer and more sustainable.”

  • Detroit Deploys First EV Charging Road in the US

    Detroit Deploys First EV Charging Road in the US

    Charging electric vehicles (EVs) is about to get a whole lot easier, at least for one section of road in Detroit, with in-road charging.

    Range anxiety is one of the biggest challenges to further EV adoption, with drivers worrying about how far they can travel, whether they’ll be able to find a charging facility en route, and how long charging will take.

    Electreon Wireless hopes to solve that by embedding EV charging capabilities right into roads. This could pave the way (pun intended) for EVs to operate without ever needing to be charged in the traditional manner.

    According to Axios, Electreon Wireless is embedding its technology in a section of road in Detroit’s Michigan Central district. The test area will be up to a mile long, and will be the first of its kind in the US.

    “What a great time to come to the U.S. and show there’s an alternative — a smarter, faster charging system that takes us to where we need to be,” Stefan Tongur, Electreon’s vice president of business development, told Axios.

  • GM’s Mary Barra Says Company Could Top Tesla in EV Market

    GM’s Mary Barra Says Company Could Top Tesla in EV Market

    GM CEO Mary Barra is throwing down the gauntlet, claiming her company will top Tesla in the EV market.

    Tesla is the current reigning champion of the EV market. The company was synonymous with EVs for years, with traditional automakers only recently beginning to pivot to EVs en masse.

    GM is one such company, and is investing heavily in the transition, recently announcing a $7 billion investment in several Michigan plants, in an effort to convert half of its North America productions to EVs by 2030.

    Barra, however, has her sights set on a much more ambitious goal: unseating Tesla as the top dog in the EV market.

    “We want to lead in EVs. Full stop,” Barra told CBS News’ Ben Tracy. “And so that’s where we’re aggressively moving.”

    A big part of that plan is making more affordable EVs, much cheaper than the company’s Hummer, or Tesla’s upcoming Cybertruck.

    “The Equinox EV crossover is going to start around $30,000,” she said. “We’re also working on a vehicle that will even be more affordable than that.”

    “Customers are starting to be much more interested in EVs but they want the vehicle they want,” she added.

    As CBS News points out, GM definitely has an uphill battle. Tesla has 70% of the US EV market, compared to GM’s 6%. Nonetheless, Barra appears undeterred.

    “When you look at how many vehicles we’re going to be able to launch across many segments, that’s why by mid-decade we think we’ll be in a leadership position,” she said.

    “Clearly, that’s what we’re working from a North America perspective and we’re just gonna keep going until we have global leadership as well.”

  • GM Investing $7 Billion in Michigan Plants to Further EV Production

    GM Investing $7 Billion in Michigan Plants to Further EV Production

    GM is investing $7 billion in four Michigan manufacturing sites, as it pivots to electric vehicle (EV) production.

    Like virtually every major automaker, GM is working to transition to electric vehicles. As part of that transition, GM has the goal of having “more than 1 million units of electric vehicle capacity in North America.”

    The company has announced its single biggest investment in company history, a whopping $7 billion. The investment will help create 4,000 new jobs, as well as retain 1,000.

    “Today we are taking the next step in our continuous work to establish GM’s EV leadership by making investments in our vertically integrated battery production in the U.S., and our North American EV production capacity,” said Mary Barra, GM Chair and CEO. “We are building on the positive consumer response and reservations for our recent EV launches and debuts, including GMC HUMMER EV, Cadillac LYRIQ, Chevrolet Equinox EV and Chevrolet Silverado EV. Our plan creates the broadest EV portfolio of any automaker and further solidifies our path toward U.S. EV leadership by mid-decade.”

    GM sees the investment as a way to vertically integrate its EV production, a major step toward its goal of converting half of its North American production to EV vehicles by 2030.

  • Teslas Poised to Get a Range Upgrade, Thanks to New Panasonic Batteries

    Teslas Poised to Get a Range Upgrade, Thanks to New Panasonic Batteries

    Teslas are poised to receive a significant range upgrade, as early as 2023, with new batteries from Panasonic.

    Panasonic has been working on new batteries for Tesla for some time, with the new batteries boasting five times more capacity, despite only being twice the size. In addition, Independent reports the new batteries will cost half as much as the current generation.

    Nikkei Asia is reporting that Panasonic is preparing to begin mass production, with the batteries expected to make their way into Teslas as early as 2023.

    With a 15% increase in range, this would take the Model S from roughly 404 miles to approximately 465 miles on a full charge, a significant, real-world increase for the average user.

  • FAA: 78% of US Commercial Aircraft Safe Amid 5G Concerns

    FAA: 78% of US Commercial Aircraft Safe Amid 5G Concerns

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has cleared roughly 78% of the US commercial aircraft fleet for low-visibility approaches near C-band 5G.

    The airline industry has been at odds with Verizon and AT&T over the rollout of C-band 5G. C-band is in the mid-band range of frequencies that are very close to those used by aircraft altimeters. The airline industry and FAA have been concerned that C-band could interfere with altimeters, putting aircraft at risk in low-visibility conditions.

    After delays and negotiations, Verizon and AT&T began rolling out their new spectrum on January 19, and the FAA has now cleared a large portion of the US aircraft fleet for low-visibility approaches.

    “The FAA issued new approvals Thursday that allow an estimated 78 percent of the U.S. commercial fleet to perform low-visibility landings at airports where wireless companies deployed 5G C-band,” the FAA’s statement reads. “This now includes some regional jets. 

    “Airplane models with one of the 13 cleared altimeters include all Boeing 717, 737, 747, 757, 767, 777, 787, MD-10/-11; all Airbus A300, A310, A319, A320, A330, A340, A350 and A380 models; and some Embraer 170 and 190 regional jets.

    “The FAA is working diligently to determine which altimeters are reliable and accurate where 5G is deployed in the United States. We anticipate some altimeters will be too susceptible to 5G interference. To preserve safety, aircraft with those altimeters will be prohibited from performing low-visibility landings where 5G is deployed because the altimeter could provide inaccurate information.”

    The FAA says altimeters that are not deemed safe will need to be retrofitted or replaced.

  • FAA Will Not Seek Further 5G Rollout Delays From Verizon and AT&T

    FAA Will Not Seek Further 5G Rollout Delays From Verizon and AT&T

    The Federal Aviation Administration has said it will not seek any more delays from Verizon and AT&T in regard to their 5G rollout.

    Verizon and AT&T have twice delayed their rollout of C-band spectrum, from December 5 to January 5, and now from January 5 to January 19. As we have covered extensively, the delays were sparked by concerns that C-band spectrum could interfere with aircraft altimeters.

    Verizon made it clear it was planning on proceeding with deployment after this last delay, even issuing a press release promising customers they would have access to the faster 5G later this month.

    “This massive launch will put incredible speeds, reliability and security in the hands of our customers and amplifies our offering of reliable home and business broadband options to more places around the country, well ahead of the commitment we made last year,” said Hans Vestberg, Chairman and CEO of Verizon. “As 5G Ultra Wideband becomes available to more and more people and businesses, it will allow our customers to do more amazing things.”

    In a letter to the carriers, US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and FAA Administrator Steve Dickson, signaled there would be no further requests for a delay.

    Thank you for your willingness to work with the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration to reduce the impact of 5G C-Band deployment on the national airspace.

    Your voluntary agreement both to delay initial deployment by two weeks, and to subsequently adopt some additional mitigations, will give us additional time and space to reduce the impacts to commercial flights. We look forward to working with you to implement the steps in the attached term sheet. We understand you will work with the Federal Communications Commission to further memorialize the additional mitigations you are putting in place.

    Thank you again for taking this meaningful step. We are confident that your voluntary steps will support the safe coexistence of 5G C-Band deployment and aviation activities, helping to retain America’s economic strength and leadership role around the world.

    This appears to end a long, drawn-out saga for Verizon and AT&T, as well as the airline industry.

  • Tesla Delivers Record Number of Vehicles in Q4, Nearly One Million in 2021

    Tesla has done it again, beating analysts estimates and shipping a record number of vehicles.

    As the leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, Tesla is a good barometer for the general state of the industry and consumers’ interest in EVs. The company didn’t disappoint in Q4 2021, producing more than 305,000 vehicles, and delivering over 308,000.

    For the entire year, the company delivered just under one million EVs, coming in at 936,000 vehicles.

    The company thanked its employees, suppliers, and its entire ecosystem for making the milestone possible.

    Thank you to all of our customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders and supporters who helped us achieve a great year.

  • No More Delays: Verizon and AT&T Reject US Request to Delay 5G

    No More Delays: Verizon and AT&T Reject US Request to Delay 5G

    Verizon and AT&T’s CEOs have rejected a request from the FAA and US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to delay mid-band 5G.

    Verizon and AT&T have been at odds with the airline industry over the C-band spectrum the companies plan to use for 5G. The two companies spent over $68 billion on the spectrum at a recent FCC auction, since C-band is squarely in the mid-band range, making it ideal for 5G. 

    Unfortunately, the spectrum is very close to the frequencies used by airline altimeters, sparking concerns by the airline industry and the FAA. Secretary Buttigieg had asked the two carriers to delay rollout for no more than two weeks past their January 5 deployment date, already a month later than the two companies originally planned.

    It seems neither company is willing to comply, with Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg and AT&T CEO John Stankey penning a joint letter saying they will not delay deployment any longer. According to CNBC, the two companies are willing to delay deployment around airports for another six months, but they will not delay general deployment.

    The two companies plan to follow an “exclusion zone” plan, similar to what companies in France are doing. Adjustments would be made to account for the stronger 5G signals used in the US versus France, but the goal would be to limit potential interference in the proximity of airports and helipads.

    “The laws of physics are the same in the United States and France,” the CEOs wrote. “If U.S. airlines are permitted to operate flights every day in France, then the same operating conditions should allow them to do so in the United States.”

  • Airlines File Emergency FCC Request to Block 5G Near Airports

    Airlines File Emergency FCC Request to Block 5G Near Airports

    The Airlines for America (A4A) association representing US airlines has filed an emergency request with the FCC to block 5G rollouts near airports.

    Wireless carriers and the FCC are at odds with airlines and the FAA over the rollout of C-band 5G. Verizon and AT&T spent more than $68 billion at an FCC auction to purchase the mid-band spectrum, considered the sweet spot for 5G. Unfortunately, the spectrum is so close to the frequencies used for airline altimeters that the airline industry has been worried the C-band rollout could interfere.

    The two carriers initially delayed the rollout of their C-band spectrum, and then agreed to limit the strength of the signal in an effort to address concerns. Meanwhile, the FAA issued new guidance for the use of altimeters in low-visibility conditions, and the airlines have continued to raise the alarm.

    The A4A’s emergency filing is once again asking the FCC to force the carriers to delay rollout.

    “Although the wireless carriers postponed the inauguration of service from December 5, 2021, to January 5, 2022, there has still not been a resolution of this issue,” reads the request. “The FAA – the federal agency principally responsible for aviation safety – has now issued an Airworthiness Directive that concluded that an unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop in transport and commuter category airplane because of the interference impact of new 3.7 GHz license service on radio altimeters. Aircraft will not be able to rely on radio altimeters for numerous flight procedures and thus will not be able to land at certain airports.”

    The A4A believes irreparable harm will come to the industry if the delay is not granted.

    “Absent the grant of a stay, the airline industry will suffer irreparable harm,” the filing continues. “In addition, the traveling public and the American economy, which depends on the air transportation system, will incur significant financial losses amounting to billions of dollars. Moreover, this does not include the downstream effects that the disruption in commercial air service will have on customers and the U.S. economy as a whole that is still recovering from supply chain disruptions as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

    It appears the issues surrounding C-band spectrum are far from over.

  • Korean Air Using Drone Swarms to Inspect Aircraft

    Korean Air Using Drone Swarms to Inspect Aircraft

    In an industry first, Korean Air is using drone swarms to inspect aircraft.

    Drones are gaining widespread use in a number of industries, including search and rescue, deliveries, real estate, on the battlefield, and more. Korean Air is using them in a new and innovative way, however, using swarms of drones to inspect aircraft.

    The airline says the drones improve safety, as well as increase the speed and accuracy of inspections. The drones are equipped with high-resolution cameras that can detecting things as small as 1 mm. This allows the drones to detect issues and defects that cannot be seen with the naked eye.

    Although Korea Air is the first to use drones in such a way, other airlines are in the process of deploying them around the world.

  • Walmart Expanding Autonomous Delivery Truck Trial in Arkansas

    Walmart Expanding Autonomous Delivery Truck Trial in Arkansas

    Walmart is taking the next step toward autonomous deliveries, expanding its pilot program involving Gatik’s autonomous trucks.

    Autonomous delivery is one of the next big steps in retail, with Amazon, Walmart and others experimenting with drones and delivery bots. Walmart appears to be teaming up with Gatik, a startup that is developing autonomous delivery trucks.

    According to Business Insider, Walmart says the Gatik pilot program has already logged 70,000 miles in “autonomous mode” with a safety driver present. The company now plans to expand its trial, testing the trucks without a safety driver.

    “This achievement marks a new milestone that signifies the first ever driverless operation carried out on the supply chain middle mile for both Gatik and Walmart,” Tom Ward, Walmart senior vice president of customer product, said in a statement.

    “We’ll be working with Gatik to monitor and gather new data to help us stay on the leading edge of driverless autonomous vehicles,” Ward continued

  • Tesla Opening Supercharger Network to Non-Teslas

    Tesla Opening Supercharger Network to Non-Teslas

    Tesla is opening its Supercharger network, allowing non-Teslas to use it for the first time.

    The Supercharger network is the gold standard of EV charging, capable of charging an EV much faster than a traditional home outlet. Tesla has invested heavily in rolling out the network, making it one of the big selling points of buying a Tesla over its competitors. There are currently more than 25,000 such stations worldwide.

    The company has always had the goal of opening its Supercharger network to non-Teslas and, in a statement Monday, the company says that goal is now becoming a reality. Initially Tesla will make the network available via a pilot program involving 10 stations in the Netherlands.

    With this pilot, 10 stations are now accessible to Dutch Non-Tesla EV drivers via the Tesla app (version 4.2.3 or higher). Tesla drivers can continue to use these stations as they always have, and we will be closely monitoring each site for congestion and listening to customers about their experiences.

    It’s always been our ambition to open the Supercharger network to Non-Tesla EVs, and by doing so, encourage more drivers to go electric. This move directly supports our mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.

    As the company monitors the pilot program and learns from it, it will open up other parts of its network as capacity is available. Tesla also says that its customers will still benefit from the most seamless experience, as well as the lowest rates.

  • Blue Origin Announces Plans for Commercial Space Station

    Blue Origin Announces Plans for Commercial Space Station

    Blue Origin, along with Sierra Space, has announced plans for a commercial space station called Orbital Reef.

    The space race is heating up, with Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin and Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic some of the leading commercial companies involved. Blue Origin was recently in the headlines for a flight that included William Shatner, the oldest person to go to space.

    The company, along with Sierra Space, is now setting its sights on launching a commercial space station, one that will be “mixed use business park” in space.

    Designed to open multiple new markets in space, Orbital Reef will provide anyone with the opportunity to establish their own address on orbit. This unique destination will offer research, industrial, international, and commercial customers the cost competitive end-to-end services they need including space transportation and logistics, space habitation, equipment accommodation, and operations including onboard crew. The station will start operating in the second half of this decade.

    The project already has the backing of Boeing, Redwire Space, Genesis Engineering Solutions, and Arizona State University.

    “For over sixty years, NASA and other space agencies have developed orbital space flight and space habitation, setting us up for commercial business to take off in this decade,” said Brent Sherwood, Senior Vice President of Advanced Development Programs for Blue Origin. “We will expand access, lower the cost, and provide all the services and amenities needed to normalize space flight. A vibrant business ecosystem will grow in low Earth orbit, generating new discoveries, new products, new entertainments, and global awareness.”

    “Sierra Space is thrilled to partner with Blue Origin and provide the Dream Chaser spaceplane, the LIFE module and additional space technologies to open up space for commercial research, manufacturing, and tourism. As a former NASA astronaut, I’ve been waiting for the moment where working and living in space is accessible to more people worldwide, and that moment has arrived,” said Dr. Janet Kavandi, former three time NASA astronaut and Sierra Space president.

  • Hertz Purchasing 100,000 Teslas for Its Fleet and Partnering With Tom Brady

    Hertz Purchasing 100,000 Teslas for Its Fleet and Partnering With Tom Brady

    Hertz is looking to leapfrog the competition following its bankruptcy, ordering 100,000 Teslas and partnering with Tom Brady for an ad campaign.

    Hertz has been through some difficult times in recent years, culminating in the company’s bankruptcy and reorganization. Coming out of that, the company clearly wants to get a leg up on its competitors and is tapping into consumer interest in electric vehicles (EVs) to do that.

    The company announced it is placing “an initial order of 100,000 Teslas by the end of 2022,” and plans to build out its own charging network. Customers who rent one of the Tesla Model 3’s will also have access to Tesla’s super-charging network in the US and Europe.

    “Electric vehicles are now mainstream, and we’ve only just begun to see rising global demand and interest,” said Hertz interim CEO Mark Fields. “The new Hertz is going to lead the way as a mobility company, starting with the largest EV rental fleet in North America and a commitment to grow our EV fleet and provide the best rental and recharging experience for leisure and business customers around the world.”

    Hertz is also partnering with Tom Brady for a “Hertz, Let’s Go!” ad campaign, one that will combine humor and Brady’s signature “Let’s Go” rallying cry.

    “Hertz is changing the game when it comes to the future of mobility and has come through for me time and time again,” said Tom Brady. “Although the company has been around for over 100 years, their constant evolution, especially now, is something that is amazing to be a part of. I’ve been driving an EV for years and knowing Hertz is leading the way with their electric fleet speaks to how the world is changing and the way companies are approaching being environmentally and socially conscious. I’ve always loved how easy and convenient Hertz makes it for me when I’m traveling to my favorite places like New York, LA and Tampa and can’t wait to see what they continue to have in store.”