Welcome back to the latest updates in the tech world. Last week may have been quiet due to the July 4 holiday, but there were still some interesting developments to keep an eye on. Fisker continues to make headlines as the company goes through bankruptcy proceedings. Following the Rivian-Volkswagen Group partnership announcement, there have been some intriguing details emerging. Additionally, Uber has sparked a debate about fingerprinting drivers in California.
On the startup front, there’s a lot happening. I had the opportunity to interview Jon McNeill, co-founder and partner of DVx Ventures. You may know Jon from his time at Tesla, Lyft, or as a GM board member. We discussed Elon Musk’s pay package influence on founders, the balance between cash and equity, and DVx Ventures’ unique investment approach.
For more insights, check out the Autonocast podcast episode featuring Ted Ryan, the brand manager for archives and heritage at Ford. They talked about the history of fueling, the role of Coca-Cola in gas station expansion, and its implications for EV charging.
Now, let’s dive into some recent news. Volkswagen Group has been hiring software talent from Rivian for its software arm, Cariad. Rivian employees have joined Cariad’s Silicon Valley outpost, the SDV Hub, focusing on software-defined vehicles. These hires include top positions like chief software officer, chief product security officer, and vice presidents.
In terms of deals, Altrove, a French startup focusing on rare earth metals alternatives, raised €3.7 million. Cartken, known for its autonomous sidewalk delivery robots, secured $22.5 million in funding. Phyron, a Swedish AI video startup, raised €10 million in a Series B round. The Lasso, an online car bidding platform, raised $9.8 million. Toyota invested in EV charging network IONNA, and Zedify, a U.K.-based cargo bike delivery network, raised £4 million.
In the electric vehicle sector, Fisker Inc. is selling its remaining Ocean SUV inventory as part of its bankruptcy proceedings. Lucid Motors set a new record by delivering 2,394 EVs in the second quarter of 2024. Tesla’s Model Y made it onto the Chinese government’s purchase list, allowing government workers to buy the vehicle for official use.
Looking at the future of flight, Joby Aviation is exploring intercity flight powered by hydrogen. However, Universal Hydrogen, a startup focusing on hydrogen-powered flight, has shut down.
Google Maps introduced updates like speedometer and speed limits on iOS and CarPlay. Stay tuned for our upcoming reviews on products like the Lectric One e-bike, the Fiat 500e, and the 2024 Nissan Ariya Empower+.
That wraps up the latest updates in the tech world. Stay tuned for more exciting developments in the future of transportation.
