Zoox gets green light to charge for Las Vegas rides Zoox will soon begin offering paid robotaxi rides in Las Vegas with the blessing of federal safety officials. Last week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration granted a temporary exemption for the Amazon-owned Zoox to begin offering paid rides because its robotaxis don’t include brake or gas pedals or steering wheels. Zoox announced in a post on its website on Friday that it will begin charging for rides in August. “We are excited to build on this momentum and expand what’s possible with the unique product our riders are beginning to know and love,” Zoox posted on its website announcing the exemption approval. Details on the pricing were not available, according to a company spokesperson. The exemption is the first of its kind to allow self-driving vehicles without manually operated driving controls to be part of a commercial ride share service. The exemption began Friday and is good through July 31, 2028, and will allow the company to deploy up to 2,500 vehicles per year for paid robotaxi service, according to the NHTSA’s records. Zoox also offers free rides for those who are part of its Explorer program in San Francisco. Zoox robotaxis are four-seat carriage-style pods with two seats on each side facing each other. The vehicles can travel up to 75 mph forward or backward. Part of the exemption bars Zoox from selling its robotaxis to other companies. Zoox has been operating in Las Vegas since 2019 out of a 190,000 square-foot facility in the southwest valley, starting with Toyota SUVs retrofitted with the autonomous systems to gather driving data around the city. Last year, the NHTSA granted an exemption for Zoox to provide free demonstration rides in Las Vegas. The free rides have been operated between a
Aug 3, 2026 · via reviewjournal.com
Where most energy storage companies look for big tracts of land near large connections to the grid, Base Power is betting that it can beat them all by putting batteries in people’s backyards instead. It appears to be paying off, with Base Power installing more than 500 megawatt-hours of storage over the past few years. The startup announced today that it has raised another $1 billion less than a year after its last billion-dollar round. The Series D values the company at a $13 billion post-money valuation. Base Power is installing about 100 batteries per day, according to The Wall Street Journal report, and it hopes to double that by the end of the year. That works out to about 8 megawatt-hours of storage installed per day. Base Power also rolled out a new version of its home battery today, called Base Core. The device is built at its Austin, Texas factory, and it can store 39.2 kilowatt-hours of electricity, significantly more than those of its competitors. Customers can choose either one or two batteries. Base Power operates in Texas and Illinois. The round arrives as electricity demand has been skyrocketing due to economywide electrification and the rapid pace of AI data center construction. Over the last several years, the U.S. electrical grid has expanded after decades of stagnation. The surge in demand has strained the grid in many locations, most notably PJM, which hosts a large number of data centers. Portions of Illinois, where Base Power operates, are part of PJM’s territory. Rather than charge thousands of dollars up front, as most home battery installers do, Base Power offers its batteries the device on a subscription basis. In the Houston area, for example, Base Power charges customers $695 to install a single battery, $19 per month, and 13.1 cents
Aug 3, 2026 · via techcrunch.com
This content is generated by AI. You can give feedback on it in the Inderes forum. GreenMobility announced this morning a strategic partnership with WeRide to deploy autonomous shared mobility in Denmark, with public service targeted for H1 2027 using WeRide's EU compliant GXR. The companies state they are the first to pursue commercial autonomous deployment in Denmark, subject to regulatory approvals, and the project will be developed together with Vejdirektoratet and Færdselsstyrelsen. On the financial side, guidance for 2026 is maintained at 5-9% revenue growth and 12-16% EBITDA growth. No financial terms were disclosed, and no capex, revenue or cost effect has been quantified. WeRide ((Nasdaq: WRD, HKEX: 0800) was founded in 2017, is headquartered in Guangzhou and was the first publicly listed autonomous driving company. Per the release, its products are deployed in more than 40 cities across 12 countries, it holds autonomous driving permits in 8 countries and operates a global Level 4 fleet of more than 3,000 vehicles. Reported revenue was RMB 685m in 2025, up 90%, and RMB 114m in Q1 2026, up 58%. Denmark becomes the sixth European market after France, Belgium, Switzerland, Slovakia and Spain. Two features are relevant for a GreenMobility shareholder. First, the expansion model for WeRide is asset light and built on partnering with local operators and fleet owners, the same template used with Uber in Dubai, Riyadh and Madrid and with Grab in Singapore. GreenMobility supplies exactly what that model requires: local fleet operations, a customer base and trip data. Secondly, the GXR is purpose built with Geely's Farizon unit and running WeRide's GEN8 stack, with 2,000 units scheduled off the production line from Q3 2026 and a stated fleet target above 2,600 robotaxis by end 2026. Vehicle supply has been the constraint management has flagged most consistently, and
Aug 3, 2026 · via inderes.fi
WeRide and GreenMobility partner to deploy autonomous shared mobility services in Denmark
On August 3, WeRide and GreenMobility, Denmark's leading shared electric mobility provider, announced a strategic partnership to deploy autonomous shared mobility services in Denmark. The partnership combines WeRide's Level 4 autonomous driving technology with GreenMobility's leading local fleet operations and shared....
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Aug 3, 2026 · via marklines.com
Omdia analysts examine the autonomous vehicle industry’s shift to end-to-end neural networks, analyzing key players such as Waymo, Tesla, and NVIDIA. The report assesses technology approaches, business models, and deployment strategies. Email Article All set! This article has been sent to my@email.address. All fields are required. For multiple recipients, separate email addresses with a semicolon. Please Note: Only individuals with an active subscription will be able to access the full article. All other readers will be directed to the abstract and would need to subscribe. These are Omdia driven recommendations based on content that is both similar, and has been frequently visited by other users in combination with the content you are currently viewing. Omdia Recommends These are Omdia driven recommendations based on content that is both similar, and has been frequently visited by other users in combination with the content you are currently viewing. Automotive SoC Partners in China 2025 Tracker for ADAS and Cockpit Report / 21 Oct 2025 / Chris Liu This tracker covers key questions, including which Chinese suppliers can deliver automotive-grade ADAS and smart cockpit SoC solutions, and which vendors OEMs should consider as strategic partners. It also includes scorecards and localization guidance for each domain. The ADAS Gauntlet: Navigating the Competitive Road from Level 2 to Level 3 Report / 21 Aug 2025 / Glenn Sanders The space between L2 and L3 ADAS has become wider and deeper as automakers attempt to perfect existing assistance technologies rather than step across the L3 threshold, with its increased demands for autonomy. India gears up for new ADAS mandates News Analysis / 19 May 2025 / Diwakar Murugan India’s automotive industry enters a new era with the mandated inclusion of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), signaling a transformative shift in vehicle safety standards to reduce road accidents
Aug 3, 2026 · via omdia.tech.informa.com
It’s Official: US Army Dives Into The EV Tank Support CleanTechnica's work through a Substack subscription, on Patreon, or on Stripe. Help us produce all of the high-quality, original content we publish week after week despite the challenges of content-scraping AI, antisocial media, inflation, and other hurdles. The US Army has spent years tip-toeing cautiously around the edges of the vehicle electrification field, with battery safety in active war zones among other structural concerns. Now that EVs are on a collision course with driverless, and autonomous robotics, the battery safety factor has faded to the background and the Army is dipping another toe in the water, at least as far as hybrid-electric vehicles go. US Army Finally Gets Real On EVs This will be familiar ground to those of you following Ukraine’s life-or-death transition into uncrewed vehicles and weaponry, enabling sparse contingents of frontline fighters to hold off a force that is far greater in number, but ill-quipped to fight a 21st century war. Last week, the California-based EV startup Harbinger Motors announced that the US Army has issued an 18-month contract for the delivery of uncrewed, hybrid-electric resupply vehicles under a partnership with the US branch of the global defense supplier Rheinmetall. American Rheinmetall is the lead contractor on the team, which also includes the autonomous vehicle specialist Forterra and Primordial Labs, which brings its signature human-machine interface to the project. “These vehicles will autonomously transport supplies to and from the forward line of troops, reducing risk to Soldiers and increasing operational efficiency in contested environments,” Harbinger explains. “The program emphasizes advancements in autonomy, commerciality, and hybrid power integration, and incorporates innovative features such as voice control to enhance Soldier system interaction,” the company adds. Harbinger EVs: Follow The Money Keep an eye out for test runs of the
Aug 3, 2026 · via cleantechnica.com
WeRide and GreenMobility partner to launch autonomous shared mobility services in Denmark by 2027, pending regulatory approvals. Quiver AI Summary WeRide, a leader in autonomous driving technology, and GreenMobility, Denmark's top shared electric mobility provider, have announced a strategic partnership to introduce autonomous shared mobility services in Denmark, pending regulatory approval. The collaboration aims to launch a public service featuring WeRide's Level 4 autonomous vehicles by mid-2027. This initiative marks WeRide's entrance into the Nordic region and its sixth European market, reinforcing its goal of global expansion through partnerships with local mobility operators. With Denmark's strong digital infrastructure and commitment to sustainability, the partnership seeks to provide safe and accessible transportation options. Both companies will work closely with Danish regulatory bodies to ensure compliance throughout the project's development. Additional details on the service rollout will be shared in the coming months. Potential Positives - WeRide and GreenMobility announced a strategic partnership to deploy autonomous shared mobility services in Denmark, marking a significant entry into the Nordic region and expanding WeRide's footprint in Europe. - The collaboration aims to launch public service with WeRide's EU-compliant Level 4 autonomous vehicles by the first half of 2027, demonstrating a commitment to scaling innovative transportation solutions. - This partnership is designed to leverage Denmark's advanced digital infrastructure and leading EV adoption to establish a model for autonomous mobility that could be replicated in other markets. - WeRide's technology will be integrated with GreenMobility's operational expertise, enhancing both companies’ capabilities in delivering safe and efficient urban mobility services. Potential Negatives - Dependency on regulatory approvals for deployment may delay or prevent the launch of autonomous services, impacting timelines and financial projections. - Statement of "inherent risks and uncertainties" may induce concern among investors about the potential challenges in the partnership and technology deployment. - Expansion
Aug 3, 2026 · via quiverquant.com
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Aug. 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WeRide (Nasdaq: WRD, HKEX: 0800), a global leader in autonomous driving technology, and GreenMobility (Nasdaq Copenhagen: GREENM), Denmark's leading shared electric mobility provider, today announced a strategic partnership to deploy autonomous shared mobility services in Denmark. The partnership combines WeRide's globally validated Level 4 autonomous driving technology with GreenMobility's leading local fleet operations and shared mobility expertise, making the companies the first to pursue commercial autonomous mobility deployment in Denmark, subject to regulatory approvals. Illustration of WeRide and GreenMobility's GXR in Copenhagen Under the partnership, the companies aim to launch public service in the first half of 2027, and all riders will be able to request a ride fulfilled by the GXR, WeRide's latest generation, EU-compliant fully self-driving vehicle. Denmark marks the sixth European market for WeRide, following recent expansion into Spain and Slovakia. This parallel rollout across multiple markets demonstrates WeRide's ability and ambition to scale autonomous driving globally through an asset-light expansion model built on partnering with leading local mobility operators and fleet owners. Denmark's advanced digital infrastructure, premium mobility market, leading EV adoption, and progressive regulatory environment makes it an ideal market for autonomous mobility. Together, the companies aim to accelerate the deployment of safe, sustainable, and accessible autonomous transportation while supporting Denmark's broader smart mobility ambitions. The project will be developed with public sector involvement and in close collaboration with the Danish Road Directorate (Vejdirektoratet), the Danish Road Traffic Authority (Færdselsstyrelsen), with all testing and deployment conducted in accordance with applicable Danish and European Union regulations. “This partnership marks WeRide's first entry into the Nordic region and another important milestone in our European expansion. By combining WeRide's autonomous driving technology with GreenMobility's local operating capabilities, we are establishing a scalable model for deploying autonomous mobility in new international
Aug 3, 2026 · via globenewswire.com
Chery has agreed to invest US$75m (KRW 108bn) in South Korean automaker KG Mobility (KGM) through convertible bonds, giving the Chinese automaker an initial stake of around 10%, rising to as much as 16.22% according to Korean financial media if the bonds are fully converted near their 2029 maturity. The deal extends a partnership that began with a platform-licensing agreement in October 2024 and a joint SUV development deal in April 2025; while unconfirmed, the deal opens the door for Chery to use KGM’s facilities as an overseas production hub. For now, however, the two companies will jointly develop a mid-size SUV, codenamed SE-10 and positioned as the successor to KGM’s Rexton. The as-yet-unrevealed model will be built on Chery’s T2X platform and offered in plug-in hybrid and internal combustion engine variants from early 2027. A second joint model aimed at global markets including Europe is already planned, as well as an extended-range electric vehicle (EV). The cooperation extends well beyond cars, touching on semiconductors, robotics, raw materials and steel. Indeed, executive-level task forces are being set up to explore joint investment in automotive chips and autonomous driving architecture specifically. Both companies took pains to emphasise that the investment gives Chery no role in, or influence over, management. In remarks to local media, KGM Chief Executive Hwang Ki-young explicitly ruled out Chery vehicles being contract manufactured at its Pyeongtaek plant, nor any concrete plans at present to use its other plants. Pyeongtaek has recently upgraded its assembly lines to accommodate EV production. KGM also operates a plant at Changwon, also this focuses on ICE production exclusively, and has manufacturing agreements in both Vietnam and Indonesia. On the other side of the table, however, the tariff logic behind the deal is being stated openly. Chery President Zhang Guibang said directly that
Aug 3, 2026 · via automotiveworld.com
Insider Brief - American Rheinmetall received an 18-month U.S. Army contract to develop hybrid-powered autonomous ground vehicles for transporting supplies in contested environments. - The Project Sustainment effort will combine Harbinger’s commercial hybrid chassis, Forterra’s autonomous-driving technology and Primordial Labs’ voice-controlled Anura interface. - The vehicles are intended to support company-sized units with limited human involvement, reduce risks to soldiers and could lead to follow-on orders as the Army expands its autonomous logistics fleet. American Rheinmetall has received an 18-month U.S. Army contract to develop hybrid-powered autonomous ground vehicles for moving supplies in war zones. According to American Rheinmetall, the contract is part of the Army’s Project Sustainment effort and is being executed through the National Advanced Mobility Consortium. American Rheinmetall will serve as the prime contractor and work with Harbinger, Forterra and Primordial Labs on the vehicle platform, autonomous-driving system and human-machine interface. The companies will develop uncrewed ground vehicles designed to support logistics for company-sized Army units and are intended to move equipment and supplies to and from forward positions with limited human involvement, reducing the need to expose soldiers to dangerous transport missions. American Rheinmetall noted the project fits with the Army’s modernization strategy by combining autonomous operation, hybrid power and commercially derived vehicle technology. Development and testing will take place at U.S. facilities and test ranges. The contract also includes the possibility of follow-on orders as the Army expands and updates its autonomous logistics fleet. Commercial Chassis, Military Mission Harbinger, which develops electric and hybrid medium-duty vehicle platforms, battery systems and drivetrains, will provide a dual-use hybrid chassis designed for commercial and specialty vehicles. American Rheinmetall said the platform can be adapted for military requirements and offers a path toward faster development and scalable production. Rheinmetall said the approach of adapting commercial vehicle technology for military
Aug 3, 2026 · via theaiinsider.tech
Reddit CEO Steve Huffman expressed concerns about Google's AI Overviews search feature, arguing that it compresses internet content into summaries, which reduces the depth and personal engagement found on Reddit. He emphasized that Reddit offers rich discussions and firsthand experiences that AI summaries cannot replace. This criticism comes amid reports that Reddit might end its $60 million licensing deal with Google, as AI Overviews reportedly cut referrals to sites like Reddit by nearly half. Google disputes these claims, stating its search traffic remains stable despite the AI changes. The debate highlights ongoing tensions as AI reshapes how users access online information and the impact on traditional web traffic models.
Aug 2, 2026 · via pluang.com
Government Affairs Executive Wins Leading Rental Car Industry Award Avis Cuts Fleet as Summer Demand Trails Expectations Avis Budget Group increased second-quarter earnings despite lower Americas revenue and softer-than-expected summer demand. The company also expanded Avis First and advanced its autonomous fleet operations with Waymo. Note: Auto Rental News reviews public-company earnings calls to identify operating strategies, market conditions, and business developments more so than stock performance or investment analysis. Avis Budget Group reduced its Americas fleet after forward bookings and inbound travel fell below the company’s initial expectations for the summer period, the company reported on its second-quarter earnings call on July 29. The company entered the second quarter expecting fleet growth tied in part to World Cup activity, America 250, and what it anticipated would be a stronger summer travel environment. Summer bookings in the outer months were still showing mid-single-digit growth in April, but that momentum began to weaken in early May. Broader travel indicators followed a similar trajectory. Year-over-year TSA passenger counts went from approximately flat in April to down 0.7% in May and 1.3% in June. Overseas visitors to the United States declined 8% during the quarter, based on U.S. Customs and Border Protection I-94 data. Avis responded by accelerating vehicle dispositions in April and early May, when used-vehicle values were still seasonally favorable, the company said. Americas Earnings Rise Despite Lower Revenue Avis Budget Group’s Americas revenue declined 1.9% year over year in the second quarter as rental days fell 2.1%. Adjusted EBITDA increased 7.7%, however, resulting in approximately 100 basis points of margin expansion. Companywide, Avis reported its highest second-quarter adjusted EBITDA margin in three years and maintained its full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance of $850 million to $1 billion. The Americas fleet ended the quarter 5.4% smaller than a year earlier, its smallest
Aug 2, 2026 · via autorentalnews.com
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently said that it may be time to “pace the rate of AI development” so that society can “harden around some of these new capability levels.” On the latest episode of TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, Kirsten Korosec, Sean O’Kane, and I discussed how Altman’s comments were probably prompted by a recent hack in which an OpenAI agent breached Hugging Face’s systems. Sean noted that while a hack performed by an AI agent is novel, the hack itself was not “some new advanced thing.” “It was more like Nixon’s people breaking into Watergate than some real stealthy cyber-op, because it didn’t need to be, and it wasn’t instructed to be,” Sean said. “Hopefully, this is a sign that these companies will take this forward and be more careful about that stuff.” Altman’s comments also gave me a chance to wonder about the usefulness of the whole accelerationist versus deceleration debate, because (yes, I’m about to quote myself) the framing “kind of suggests that there’s only one path” and “all we get to decide — inasmuch as we get to decide at all — is, do we speed up or do we slow down?” Keep reading for a preview of our conversation, edited for length and clarity. Sean O’Kane: Maybe we’ve finally hit an inflection point here. I think a big driver of this has to be what we talked about last week, with one of OpenAI’s models breaking into Hugging Face’s data and apparently breaching a few other things around the internet, as well. [Altman’s] not calling for a pause, like we’ve seen some people in the tech industry try to do in the past. He was very careful with his words and saying, “Pace it.” And we’ll see how this holds. Any caution that we see some
Aug 2, 2026 · via techcrunch.com
Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), in partnership with global autonomous vehicle technology company Oxa, announced the launch of the Autonomous Logistics Future Lab in Dubai through a joint venture named SHIFFT. The initiative aims to accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation autonomous logistics solutions, reinforcing Dubai's position as one of the world's leading hubs for intelligent logistics services. Launched under the Dubai Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Ecosystem, SHIFFT will serve as a platform for developing, testing and validating advanced autonomous logistics technologies, transforming emerging innovations into commercially deployable solutions while creating new opportunities to improve productivity, operational resilience and economic value across logistics sectors. The joint venture will contribute to the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), including the goal of doubling Dubai's foreign trade by 2033. SHIFFT will integrate autonomous driving technologies into a fully integrated logistics platform combining autonomous operations with worksite data collection, analysis and operational intelligence, enabling end-to-end deployment across industrial environments. The Lab's first phase will focus on developing and deploying autonomous vehicle solutions for ports and airports. The partners aim to launch the first commercial deployment in Dubai before the end of 2027. Khalifa Al Qama, Chief of Dubai's RDI Ecosystem, overseen by Dubai Future Foundation, said: "Through this Lab, we aim to develop new intelligent logistics solutions that create economic opportunities while accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies and their practical applications. The initiative reflects Dubai's commitment to strengthening its position as a global hub for the future of logistics services by transforming promising technologies into real-world solutions that deliver tangible economic and operational impact." Paul Newman, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Oxa, said: "This joint venture with Dubai Future Foundation will accelerate the development and commercial deployment of Industrial Mobile Autonomy technologies, enabling new levels of efficiency, reliability and
Aug 2, 2026 · via mediaoffice.ae
Self-driving vehicles have become a common sight in the San Francisco Bay Area, and there are more companies looking to deploy their autonomous vehicles to public riders in the coming months. Earlier this year, ride-hailing giant Uber, electric vehicle maker Lucid Motors and autonomous vehicle company Nuro unveiled the Lucid Gravity robotaxi, the result of a three-way partnership announced last year. I got an early look at what the companies have deemed the “industry’s most luxurious robotaxi” at CES in January, but the vehicle was parked inside a conference hall. Last week, Nuro invited me to swing by its headquarters in Mountain View, California, to take a ride in one of its engineering prototype vehicles — with a safety driver onboard — as the companies aim for a public launch later this year. Nuro is conducting tests on public roads with safety operators behind the wheel in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Houston. The company is also using closed-course testing and simulations to prepare its self-driving technology for a public rollout. Lucid is manufacturing the robotaxis at its factory in Arizona. Once the service becomes available, riders will be able to hail an autonomous ride in the Uber app. “The beauty of this partnership is that it allows each company to do what it does best,” Nuro COO Andrew Chapin told me. “Uber brings the marketplace logistics, the demand and the overall in-app experience. We bring this safe AI driver, and Lucid brings a really awesome vehicle. “ The Lucid Gravity robotaxi will join the ranks of other AV companies, including Waymo and Zoox, which was just granted federal regulatory approval to begin charging for rides in its steering-wheel-less vehicles. One element that sets the Lucid Gravity AV apart is that it can fit up to six passengers,
Aug 2, 2026 · via cnet.com
Photo Credit: Fair Use [17 U.S.C. § 107]. AI-generated illustration of marine life colonizing semi-floating wind turbine platforms.
01 Aug 2026 | Abstracted from BGR
Floating offshore wind platforms in Portugal's WindFloat Atlantic project act like artificial reefs, boosting marine biodiversity. The floating structures create new hard surfaces for algae, mussels, and other organisms to colonize, which in turn attract fish and crustaceans. Early monitoring shows denser, more diverse marine life around the turbines compared to surrounding waters.
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Aug 2, 2026 · via evworld.com
For years, Uber and unions have fought over how drivers are classified, how disputes are handled, and workplace protections. If passed, the proposal would let self-driving cars and delivery vehicles operate broadly across Washington. Against a backdrop of growing friction between Uber and Alphabet's Waymo, the fight over the D.C. measure has become a sharp new split. Harry Hatfield, Uber's director of AV and AI policy, said during a public hearing in mid-July: "We support the extension of autonomous vehicles, and we appreciate the council's willingness to engage on this issue." He argued the bill largely ignores the workforce transition. In 2024, roughly 35,000 gig drivers worked in the city, about 9% of D.C.'s workforce. The wider Washington region shed more than 100,000 jobs over the past twelve months, mostly tied to federal layoffs. National safety worries have also fueled public resistance to self-driving deployment. Crystal Middleton, who drives part time for a ride-hailing app and belongs to 32BJ SEIU, stated the worry directly. "I cannot understand why, when D.C. is in the middle of an unemployment crisis, the council is considering bringing Waymo, a company that will put thousands of drivers like myself out of work and devastate the local economy," she said. Get the market news that matters in a five-minute read with Market Briefs, our free daily newsletter Even sponsor Councilmember Charles Allen admits the transition will hurt some people. "I was here when Uber came into the marketplace. If we were to pretend we didn't see a loss of earnings for taxi cab drivers, we wouldn't be honest," he said. "At the end of the day, it's a net benefit to my transportation choices in the city. But I can't say I didn't see people who had earned a living as a taxi driver see their
Aug 2, 2026 · via briefs.co
It’s the beginning of August, and hopefully a new month will bring new joys and discoveries. Or something like that. In the real world, it’s also Saturday, which means it’s time for Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond. Ozzy the Bull, with Ozzy Glasses at Birmingham New Street Station Routes and Networks - Saudia secures codeshares with Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic for North America Connectivity – mirroring Riyadh Air’s codeshare.s - IndiGo drops Norse Atlantic 787 and their long-haul routes – with only Amsterdam to remain for now. - Air Europa to add Madrid to Barranquilla, Colombia – third destination in Colombia. New Aircraft News - ANA to add further Embraer E190-E2 aircraft – Another eight aircraft - Icelandair to add six further Airbus A320neo aircraft – To be delivered on a lease Technology - Lyft and Baidu to commence autonomous vehicle testing in London – We are the Robots… - Lufthansa begins testing the next generation of “AeroSHARK” – Testing new versions of the Riblet film Passenger Experience - easyJet and Life360 launch “Teddy Trackers” – Hurry whilst stocks last IFE+C - SES to power LATAM’s Embraer E195-E2 inflight connectivity – as well as upcoming A321XLR aircraft Rail - Italo orders Siemens Velaro trains for German Rail Services – breaking into DB’s high-speed backyard. Pretty Pictures Next Week With the summer break in full swing, the headlines are not thick and thin, but we’re finding different and interesting headlines for the season. To keep everyone entertained, amused and learning. We’ll be keeping an eye on the headlines next week. And besides, your author is brewing a few ideas that might take them away from the keyboard. Who knows. But for now, summer service continues. Until next week, Happy Landings! Welcome to Economy Class and
Aug 2, 2026 · via economyclassandbeyond.boardingarea.com
Photo: Dllu / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0) Uber partners with 30 companies to build autonomous vehicle empire The ride-hailing giant is pouring over $10 billion into autonomous vehicles, creating an AV aggregator play that could reshape mobility and, eventually, intersect with blockchain infrastructure. Uber has quietly assembled one of the most ambitious autonomous vehicle coalitions in tech history. Over the past two years, the company has partnered with, and in some cases directly invested in, roughly 30 autonomous vehicle companies, positioning itself not as a car maker or even a self-driving software developer, but as the platform layer that sits on top of all of them. The $10 billion bet Uber’s total commitment to autonomous vehicle initiatives now exceeds $10 billion. That figure includes more than $2.5 billion in equity stakes across companies like WeRide, Lucid, Nuro, Rivian, and Wayve. The centerpiece of the strategy is a plan to deploy at least 20,000 autonomous robotaxis based on the Lucid Gravity platform, powered by Nuro’s autonomy stack, starting in 2026. Uber reportedly invested around $300 million in Lucid to make that happen. On the infrastructure side, the company has earmarked $100 million specifically for building out fast-charging networks across ten targeted autonomous-vehicle cities by the end of 2026. In February 2026, Uber formalized all of this under a dedicated business unit called “Uber Autonomous Solutions.” The unit provides infrastructure, data, mapping, and operational support to its growing roster of AV partners. The partner list reads like a who’s who of autonomous driving. Waymo, Zoox, and Motional are all active collaborators. Rivian is targeting 50,000 R2 vehicles for 2028 deployment. And a collaboration with NVIDIA aims to scale Uber’s AV operations toward a fleet of 100,000 vehicles by 2027. Uber is now facilitating robotaxi and delivery AV operations across
Aug 2, 2026 · via cryptobriefing.com
Autonomous hybrid ground vehicles that can transform modern war soon to be delivered to US Army The new program emphasizes advancements in autonomy, commerciality, and hybrid power integration. Read Next: US launches 1 ton per day antimony pilot processing plant to aid weapons production A new type of autonomous, and hybrid‑powered uncrewed ground vehicles is set to boost the battle power of the U.S. Army. For this, American Rheinmetall has been awarded an 18-month contract for the U.S. Army’s Project Sustainment effort. American Rheinmetall will deliver next‑generation uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) capabilities that strengthen the Army’s tactical sustainment operations and support its broader modernization objectives. Plug-in hybrid defense vehicle The U.S. Army has selected Harbinger’s plug-in hybrid defense vehicle as the basis for American Rheinmetall’s autonomous unmanned ground vehicle (UGVs) contract. The vehicles will autonomously transport supplies to and from the forward line of troops, reducing risk to soldiers and increasing operational efficiency in contested environments. American Rheinmetall revealed that under Project Sustainment, it will provide hybrid‑powered, autonomous UGVs designed to support company‑sized element sustainment missions. These vehicles will autonomously transport supplies to and from the forward line of troops, reducing risk to Soldiers and increasing operational efficiency in contested environments. “This award expands American Rheinmetall’s growing portfolio of uncrewed ground systems within the U.S. market and reinforces our position as a leader in ground robotics and autonomous technologies,” said Jim Schirmer, VP of Sales & Marketing, American Rheinmetall. More from Military See All “Project Sustainment directly supports the Army’s modernization priorities by delivering autonomous load‑handling and transport capabilities that increase readiness and reduce the burden on Soldiers.” The program emphasizes advancements in autonomy, commerciality, and hybrid power integration, and incorporates innovative features such as voice control to enhance Soldier‑system interaction. Work will be conducted across U.S. facilities and test
Aug 1, 2026 · via interestingengineering.com