Tag Archives: Transportation

Lyft is partnering with Mobileye and introducing more autonomous vehicles in 2025

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Lyft has just announced plans to partner with three companies in the autonomous vehicle (AV) sector and gradually introduce their technology into its network starting in 2025. The three companies are Mobileye, May Mobility and Nexar.

Mobileye is a pioneer of self-driving technology and has also developed advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Lyft’s partnership with Mobileye will allow vehicles already equipped with Mobileye’s tech to start transporting passengers to their destinations, integrating them into the Lyft network seamlessly. The technology will be available to both small and large fleets on Lyft.

Additionally, Lyft and May Mobility, another AV company, are teaming up to bring AVs to Atlanta next year. May Mobility’s technology helps these cars drive independently and will serve as a proof of concept before Lyft brings them to other locations. Riders in Atlanta can just use the app for a chance to match with Lyft’s autonomous Toyota Sienna minivans in the city.

Because AV technology is still far from mature, Lyft is working with Nexar, the world’s first vehicle-to-vehicle network provider, to gather anonymized fleet and marketplace data to improve autonomous driving technology. Nexar’s smart dashcams not only keep drivers safe but they help fleet operators monitor their drivers. Nexar has plenty of video footage, up to hundreds of millions of hours. Combining this data and Lyft’s can help improve self-driving cars. Besides optimizing its AV’s performance, Lyft wants to “jointly contribute to a more complete data set for autonomous research and development.”

This announcement aligns with Lyft’s 2022 statement saying that it intended to incorporate more self-driving cars into its services. The same year, Lyft, cooperating with Motional, introduced AVs to Los Angeles. However, Motional remarked in May that its AVs won’t deploy on a large scale just yet.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/lyft-is-partnering-with-mobileye-and-introducing-more-autonomous-vehicles-in-2025-140054826.html?src=rss

Kia unveils two new EV designs, including a nifty modular van

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Kia debuted two new concept vehicles at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas today. The real standout in the company's SEMA announcements is the PV5 concept EV van. Dubbed WKNDR, it's based on Kia's Platform Beyond Vehicles approach to modular design, which the business unveiled earlier this year at CES.

The PV5 uses an adaptable storage solution called Gear Head that can serve multiple functions, including an off-board, sheltered storage space for outdoor gear when the van is stationary. It can be powered by solar panels on top and by the hydro turbine wheels.

Kia also introduced the EV9 ADVNTR concept EV SUV at the event. This is an all-electric vehicle with a custom roof rack and a combination of tires and wheels designed for offroading.

The company did not provide any details about pricing or availability dates in the press release. Based on the limited information we have about Kia's plans for PVB production, the modular WKNDR van probably won't hit the roads (or charge off the roads) until some time next year at the earliest.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/kia-unveils-two-new-ev-designs-including-a-nifty-modular-van-193156344.html?src=rss

Polestar delivers the first US-made Polestar 3 EVs

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The first American-made Polestar EVs are now on the road. The Swedish automaker said on Friday it delivered the first Polestar 3 SUVs to US and Canadian customers. The Inflation Reduction Act, signed by President Biden in 2022, incentivizes automakers to manufacture EVs in the US, offering tax credits for companies and buyers.

Polestar began stateside Polestar 3 production in August at its Ridgeville, South Carolina plant. Those vehicles will serve North American and European markets, complementing the company’s more established production in Chengdu, China.

The Polestar 3 electric SUV sitting by a lake.
Tim Stevens for Engadget

The automaker says American and Canadian Polestar 3 deliveries will pick up steam in the coming weeks. You can take one for a spin if you live near one of the automaker’s Polestar Spaces, essentially brand-building fancy showrooms in or near major US cities.

The Polestar 3 is billed as the company’s coming-out party, expanding the niche reach of the first two models to a more mainstream audience. Engadget’s Tim Stevens tested the EV last month and found that, apart from a few early software glitches, the $73,400 and up SUV is “great.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/polestar-delivers-the-first-us-made-polestar-3-evs-180002236.html?src=rss

Polestar delivers the first US-made Polestar 3 EVs

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The first American-made Polestar EVs are now on the road. The Swedish automaker said on Friday it delivered the first Polestar 3 SUVs to US and Canadian customers. The Inflation Reduction Act, signed by President Biden in 2022, incentivizes automakers to manufacture EVs in the US, offering tax credits for companies and buyers.

Polestar began stateside Polestar 3 production in August at its Ridgeville, South Carolina plant. Those vehicles will serve North American and European markets, complementing the company’s more established production in Chengdu, China.

The Polestar 3 electric SUV sitting by a lake.
Tim Stevens for Engadget

The automaker says American and Canadian Polestar 3 deliveries will pick up steam in the coming weeks. You can take one for a spin if you live near one of the automaker’s Polestar Spaces, essentially brand-building fancy showrooms in or near major US cities.

The Polestar 3 is billed as the company’s coming-out party, expanding the niche reach of the first two models to a more mainstream audience. Engadget’s Tim Stevens tested the EV last month and found that, apart from a few early software glitches, the $73,400 and up SUV is “great.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/polestar-delivers-the-first-us-made-polestar-3-evs-180002236.html?src=rss

Hyundai reveals its newest hydrogen-powered vehicle, the Initium

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Hydrogen-powered vehicles haven’t really caught on as an alternative means of eco-friendly transportation. Hyundai, however, hopes to fix that with a bigger investment in the technology and its newest hydrogen-powered concept SUV called the Initium.

Hyundai announced it plans to start production on the hydrogen SUV in the first half of next year. The Initium can run approximately 404 miles on a single refueling and can also run on electric power as a backup that can be recharged from a household electricity supply. The vehicle will also make its public debut at the LA Auto Show and Auto Guangzhou in China next month. It’s not yet confirmed where the cars will be available when they go on sale so a US launch isn’t guaranteed.

The Initium may just be a concept car for now but Hyundai seems committed to bringing its newest hydrogen car to drivers quickly, even if the fuel source hasn’t made nearly as many strides towards widespread acceptance as electric options. The South Korean carmaker is planning on investing $4 billion to develop its hydrogen vehicle technology and infrastructure to meet its complete carbon neutrality goal by 2045 with cars like the Initium and the electric Ioniq 5 unveiled last year.

Hydrogen may be an efficient alternative to gasoline but it still has a ways to go to be competitive with electric vehicles (and that’s without acknowledging the continued prevalence of gasoline-powered cars). There are only 59 hydrogen charging stations in the US with most of them in California, according to the US Department of Energy. There are only a handful of carmakers who still offer a hydrogen powered option including Hyundai (the Nexo SUV) and Toyota (the Mirari). Honda used to offer a hydrogen car with The Clarity but it ended production in 2021, according to Car & Driver.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/hyundai-reveals-its-newest-hydrogen-powered-vehicle-the-initium-192235417.html?src=rss

Ford is now shipping a new Tesla Supercharger NACS adapter to its EV drivers

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Ford will start shipping a new Tesla Supercharger NACS adapter to customers today, the company told Engadget in an email. The new adapters were co-developed with Lectron, a major manufacturer of EV chargers, adapters and cables for Tesla and others. 

Ford drivers gained access to Tesla Superchargers earlier this year, but the CCS charging port on Ford EVs isn't compatible with Tesla's NACS port. To fix that, the automaker offered a free NACS adapter to owners of its Mach E, F-150 Lightning and other vehicles, with a deadline of June 2024.

Earlier this month, however, Ford sent a service bulletin to some customers telling them to stop using the adapter. The reason cited was a "potential issue" that could reduce charging speeds and even cause charging port damage. Ford extended its deadline and promised a replacement adapter in the coming weeks. 

Ford's free replacement for its Telsa Supercharger adapter starts shipping today
Ford

While some of the supply of the original adapter had potential issues, they don't apply to all the adapters; in fact, Ford will provide both the old one and these new models. "To continue accelerating access to the Tesla Supercharger Network for Ford electric vehicle customers, Ford will start shipping a new Ford-branded complimentary adapter to customers as of October 31," a company spokesperson wrote. "Customers who are awaiting a complimentary adapter may receive the new Ford-branded Fast Charging Adapter or the existing approved adapter."

Other automakers including Nissan, GM and Subaru have also signed pacts with Tesla to use its Superchargers. Tesla's network represents a large majority of DC fast chargers in the US, with 19,000 installed compared to 15,000 from all other operators. Globally, Tesla has installed over 62,000 supercharger connectors as of Q3 2024, up 23 percent over last year. 

Correction, October 31 2024, 1:42PM ET: This story originally stated that Ford's new adapters developed with Lectron were a replacement for other adapters that Ford had asked owners to return due to potential issues. That's not the case. Ford is still provided EV owners with the older-style adapter as not all of the supply were having issues. The new adapter developed with Lectron is meant to augment and increase supply of adapters for customers rather than replace it. We apologize for the error.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/fords-free-replacement-for-its-telsa-supercharger-adapter-starts-shipping-today-130010480.html?src=rss

Ford is now shipping a new Tesla Supercharger NACS adapter to its EV drivers

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Ford will start shipping a new Tesla Supercharger NACS adapter to customers today, the company told Engadget in an email. The new adapters were co-developed with Lectron, a major manufacturer of EV chargers, adapters and cables for Tesla and others. 

Ford drivers gained access to Tesla Superchargers earlier this year, but the CCS charging port on Ford EVs isn't compatible with Tesla's NACS port. To fix that, the automaker offered a free NACS adapter to owners of its Mach E, F-150 Lightning and other vehicles, with a deadline of June 2024.

Earlier this month, however, Ford sent a service bulletin to some customers telling them to stop using the adapter. The reason cited was a "potential issue" that could reduce charging speeds and even cause charging port damage. Ford extended its deadline and promised a replacement adapter in the coming weeks. 

Ford's free replacement for its Telsa Supercharger adapter starts shipping today
Ford

While some of the supply of the original adapter had potential issues, they don't apply to all the adapters; in fact, Ford will provide both the old one and these new models. "To continue accelerating access to the Tesla Supercharger Network for Ford electric vehicle customers, Ford will start shipping a new Ford-branded complimentary adapter to customers as of October 31," a company spokesperson wrote. "Customers who are awaiting a complimentary adapter may receive the new Ford-branded Fast Charging Adapter or the existing approved adapter."

Other automakers including Nissan, GM and Subaru have also signed pacts with Tesla to use its Superchargers. Tesla's network represents a large majority of DC fast chargers in the US, with 19,000 installed compared to 15,000 from all other operators. Globally, Tesla has installed over 62,000 supercharger connectors as of Q3 2024, up 23 percent over last year. 

Correction, October 31 2024, 1:42PM ET: This story originally stated that Ford's new adapters developed with Lectron were a replacement for other adapters that Ford had asked owners to return due to potential issues. That's not the case. Ford is still provided EV owners with the older-style adapter as not all of the supply were having issues. The new adapter developed with Lectron is meant to augment and increase supply of adapters for customers rather than replace it. We apologize for the error.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/fords-free-replacement-for-its-telsa-supercharger-adapter-starts-shipping-today-130010480.html?src=rss

Avride’s next-gen delivery robot ditches two wheels and adds NVIDIA AI brains

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Autonomous delivery vehicle company Avride has a fresh design — and NVIDIA AI brains. The company’s engineers have swapped out the old six-wheel configuration for a more efficient four-wheel chassis. It can make 180-degree turns almost instantly, effortlessly park on inclines and move faster without compromising safety.

Avride has been working on autonomous delivery robots since 2019. It began as part of Russian tech company Yandex’s autonomous driving wing. But the spun-off company divested its Russian assets after Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and rebranded as Avride. It’s now owned by the Netherlands-based Nebius Group (formerly Yandex N.V.), headquartered in Austin, TX and making deals with the likes of Uber.

The company’s latest delivery robot shakes up one of the few constants from previous iterations: They all had six wheels. The new four-wheel robo-buggy uses a “groundbreaking chassis design” that eliminates some of the rough spots from older generations. These included additional friction and tire wear caused by excessive braking required for turns, lower maneuverability and less precise trajectory execution. Avride says the new model dramatically improves on all of those counts.

Underbelly view of an Avride delivery robot. Its wheel is attached to a mechanical arm that lets it glide along a circular path.
Avride

The new vehicle’s wheels are mounted on movable arms attached to a pivoting axle. For turns, each wheel glides along a circular path stabilized by the central arm. “This design allows the wheels to rotate both inward and outward, reducing friction during turns,” the company wrote in its announcement blog post.

Central to the new design is ditching the traditional front and rear axles for mechanically connected wheel pairs on each side. Avride says this enables simultaneous turning angle adjustment, leading to more precise positioning and maneuvers.

Among the results of the fresh approach are almost instant 180-degree turns. Avride says this especially helps when navigating narrow sidewalks, where sudden adjustments could be necessary. Parking on slopes is also more energy efficient: It now sets its wheels in a cross pattern to park in place without careening downward. The tighter controls also let the company increase its maximum speed. “This means faster deliveries for our customers,” the company wrote. (And, presumably, more profit.)

An Avride delivery robot with triangular eyes parked by a bench.
Avride

Not only did the new generation of delivery bots get a new body, but it also got smarter. Powered by the NVIDIA Jetson Orin platform, essentially an “AI brain for robots,” the vehicles can now tap into neural networks as powerful as those in full-size autonomous cars. This lets them process “vast amounts” of sensor data like lidar inputs and camera feeds in real time.

Finally, it wouldn’t be a delivery buggy without a cargo compartment — and that got an upgrade, too. The new model has a fully detachable storage section, allowing for modular swap-outs for different purposes. Avride says its standard cargo hold is big enough to hold several large pizzas and drinks or multiple grocery bags. It also adds a sliding lid that only provides access to the correct section, helping to avoid delivering orders to the wrong customers.

Engineering and design nerds can read much more detail about the new robots in Avride’s Medium post.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/avrides-next-gen-delivery-robot-ditches-two-wheels-and-adds-nvidia-ai-brains-171053813.html?src=rss

North American Polestar owners can now use the Tesla Supercharger network

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Polestar EV owners will soon have a lot more charging options. The company said on Tuesday its lineup now has access to the Tesla Supercharger network in the US and Canada. Future Polestar vehicles will adopt the NACS inlet as standard, and current owners can buy an adapter beginning today at their local Polestar Service Point.

A Polestar spokesperson told Engadget that the adapter has an MSRP of $230, so this isn’t a free upgrade. However, that accessory will add 17,800 charging stations across North America, so owners may find that’s a relatively small price to pay for extra peace of mind on their next road trip.

Tesla’s charger has quickly become the standard in the US. Since the company opened its charging tech to rival automakers, all major EV manufacturers have adopted it. This includes Ford (apart from some glitches), Honda, Volkswagen, GM, Volvo, Mercedes, BMW and Lucid. Polestar announced its plans to support the Tesla Supercharger network over a year ago, but the backend tech and adapter orders are now ready.

The Polestar 3 sitting in front of a lake surrounded by trees and hills.
Tim Stevens for Engadget

Speaking of the adapters, the $230 accessories are slated for mid-November deliveries. So, if you order now, you should have more charging options on your holiday road trip to see Grandma. Polestar says its in-car Google Maps app will be updated to show all available NACS stations.

Anders Gustafsson, Head of Polestar North America, emphasized in a press release the volume of charging options this move will add. “With the adoption of this standard, in combination with approximately 10,000 CCS DC fast chargers, current and prospective Polestar customers now have access to nearly 27,800 DC fast chargers and can feel more confident in their ability to charge on the go.”

The Polestar 3 is delivering now. Engadget’s Tim Stevens took it for a spin and was left impressed with the $73,400 (and up) electric SUV. Emphasizing how badly Polestar needed the long-delayed vehicle to dazzle as a mass-market follow-up to its more niche predecessors, he said that minus a few early software glitches, it’s “great.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/north-american-polestar-owners-can-now-use-the-tesla-supercharger-network-164046134.html?src=rss

VW’s Scout EV revival starts with an SUV and a pickup

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Though it disappeared over 40 years ago, International Harvester is a mythical brand in North America thanks in part to the Scout, one of the world's first SUVs. Now, Scout Motors is back under Volkswagen as an all-new marque and just revealed its first two models: the Terra pickup and Traveler SUV. Both use a brand-new EV platform and will start at under $60,000 before incentives when production launches in 2027.

Scout motors says its "priority was to honor the spirit of the original Scout," sold by International from 1961 to 1980 in various forms. Though the Traveler and Terra clearly have modern designs, they use rounded contours and a "black mask" on the front and rear fascias to invoke the older models. They also come with separate bumpers and upward-sweeping side windows, again reminiscent of the classic Scout.

VW's Scout EV revival starts with an SUV and a pickup
ANDREW TRAHAN PHOTOGRAPHY LLC

Other design elements are fully modern, like a thin LED strip around the "grill" and rectangular headlights bisected by slim daytime running lights. (The models shown here are 85 percent of what we'll see in final production vehicles, Scout said). 

The original Scout and International 150 pickup were practical and tough (we called it "Inter-smashable" back in the day), and the new models will keep some of those aspects. Both have body-on-frame construction with a solid rear axle, along with front and rear locking hubs for off-road use. They'll offer 2,000 pounds of payload along with 7,000 pounds of towing capacity for the Traveler and 10,000 pounds for the Terra pickup. Both will come with all-wheel drive via front and rear electric motors. 

VW's Scout EV revival starts with an SUV and a pickup
ANDREW TRAHAN PHOTOGRAPHY LLC

That should keep working and outdoorsy buyers happy, but the vehicles can also raise your hairs. Both will accelerate from 0-60 MPH in 3.5 seconds thanks to an estimated 1,000 pound-feet of torque and four-wheel-drive system, though Scout has yet to provide a top speed.

The base trim package will offer up to 350 miles of range while the extended range version is effectively a hybrid that will go up to 500 miles using a gas-powered range extender. Charging times aren't mentioned, but they'll use an 800-volt architecture that supports up to 350 kW speeds. It will also feature bidirectional charging and vehicle-to-home capabilities, along with over-the-air updates and remote diagnostics. 

VW's Scout EV revival starts with an SUV and a pickup
Scout Motors

The cabin is as far as it can be from the spartan interior on the originals. It looks luxurious and high-tech with a digital cluster and large displays, along with a promised "responsive" infotainment system and high-resolution backup cameras. At the same time, it comes with toggles and dials for climate and other controls. The seats and panels are covered with a mix of brown leather, fabric and a wood-like material. 

Both have a frunk with 120-volt and USB-C outlets and can fit golf clubs, a gym bag and a small cooler, Scout says. The Terra's 5.5-foot bed will also contain a 120- and 240-volt outlets for tools, compressors and the like. 

The Traveler, meanwhile, will have a split tailgate and come with two roof options. The first is a Cabana top with panels that fold back for open-air motoring, while the second is a glass roof with a powered shade. Both vehicles will be available with a front bench seat to increase passenger capacity. 

VW's Scout EV revival starts with an SUV and a pickup
ANDREW TRAHAN PHOTOGRAPHY LLC

Much like Tesla, Scout will sell its vehicles directly to consumers without a dealership in the middle. Purchasing one will take "minutes" with the company promising full price transparency and handling sales, delivery and service. You'll be able to check them out in person at dedicated "Scout Workshop" retail and service locations. 

Both models are designed and engineered in Michigan and will be built at a new factory in Columbia, South Carolina by some 4,000 workers. Production starts in 2027 with vehicles arriving for the 2028 model year. Prices will start under $60,000, according to Scout Motors, and reservations are now open. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/vws-scout-ev-revival-starts-with-an-suv-and-a-pickup-120042790.html?src=rss