Uber recently announced a new partnership that will see the introduction of robotaxis to its ride-hailing platform. The company has teamed up with WeRide, a Chinese autonomous vehicle startup, to bring their robotaxis to Abu Dhabi later this year. This move is part of Uber’s ongoing efforts to expand its offerings and provide customers with innovative transportation options.
In the aviation sector, several startups have recently secured significant funding from venture capital firms. Air Company, a sustainable aviation fuel startup, raised $69 million in a Series B funding round led by Avfuel. Ayrton Energy, a startup working on hydrogen storage, secured a $6.8 million seed round led by Clean Energy Ventures. Cariqa, a Berlin-based EV charging marketplace startup, raised €1 million in a pre-seed funding round. DeepDrive, a German startup developing dual-rotor electric vehicle motors, raised €30 million in a Series B fundraising round. Point.me, a real-time flight rewards search engine, secured $15 million in a Series B funding round. Pyka, an autonomous electric aviation startup, raised $40 million in a Series B round. REE Automotive received $45 million in funding and signed a global manufacturing agreement with Motherson Group. Twelve, a Berkeley-based startup focusing on sustainable aviation fuel, raised $200 million in a Series C funding round. VELA, a French company developing wind-powered maritime cargo transport, raised €40 million in funding.
Rivian, an electric vehicle manufacturer, has revealed the first $10 million worth of grants from the Rivian Foundation. The foundation was established three years ago with the goal of allocating 1% of Rivian’s equity to support environmental initiatives. The grants will support projects aimed at preserving the natural world and promoting sustainability.
In the electric vehicle sector, BMW is advocating for the adoption of battery and hydrogen electric vehicles. EV startup Harbinger is developing a hybrid powertrain for RVs with a 500-mile range, utilizing a small gas generator to supplement the battery pack. Northvolt, a battery startup, recently laid off 20% of its workforce. Rad Power Bikes has partnered with Best Buy to offer their e-bikes in retail stores. Tesla has provided updates on access to its Supercharger network for non-Tesla brands.
In the realm of autonomous vehicles, Uber has announced a partnership with WeRide to introduce robotaxis to its platform in Abu Dhabi. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in the development of autonomous transportation solutions.
Wing, a drone delivery company, is expanding its services to Charlotte, North Carolina, following a successful program in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The company plans to partner with a local retailer to offer ultra-fast grocery delivery services in response to consumer demand.
Pure Watercraft, an electric outboard startup in which GM has a stake, is undergoing changes as it sells its assets. Zin Boats, a manufacturer of electric leisure craft, is emerging as a key player in the electric boating industry.
The transportation landscape is evolving rapidly, with new technologies and innovative solutions reshaping the way we move from place to place. As companies continue to invest in sustainable and efficient transportation options, the future of mobility looks brighter than ever.
