Greetings and a warm welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility, your go-to destination for the latest news and analysis about the evolution of transport. Register now for free — simply by clicking TechCrunch Mobility!
Every week brings a fresh heap of stories from the transportation sector. And, as expected, our veteran journalist Sean O’Kane remains immersed in the latest from Fisker.
This week, Fisker has some good news to share as it navigates the challenges of Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Despite facing opposition, a judge has greenlit the sale of over 3,000 Fisker Ocean SUVs to a leasing firm. This agreement secures the former EV pioneer up to $46.25 million. There are still obstacles to overcome and steps to be taken, which O’Kane elaborates on in his comprehensive coverage.
Naturally, that’s just the tip of the iceberg for this week’s happenings. Let’s dive in.
A Little Whisper
Have insider news? Drop an email to Kirsten Korosec at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com, Sean O’Kane at sean.okane@techcrunch.com, or Rebecca Bellan at rebecca.bellan@techcrunch.com. Alternatively, learn how to reach us securely via encrypted channels or SecureDrop.
Spotlight on Deals!
This transaction is nothing short of monumental.
Enter Yandex NV, the Dutch firm that recently parted ways with its Russian operation, now known as Nebius Group. Following the 2022 Ukraine invasion, Yandex NV faced sanctions and intense scrutiny. It concluded an agreement earlier this year, selling its Russian arm for approximately $5.2 billion to a Russian consortium. This deal reached its conclusion this week.
Why is this important to us at TechCrunch Mobility? Nebius plans to allot the proceeds towards four initiatives, one of which is Avride, a venture into autonomous driving technology. Yandex has been a significant player in self-driving tech for some time, an experience I firsthand tested at CES a few years back. Possibly, you may have come across its delivery robots on university campuses.
I recently engaged with Avride’s team, including its business development lead, Artem Fokin. Anticipate a more in-depth article about this endeavor. Until then, I present some intriguing snippets.
Avride has chosen Austin, Texas, as its main base, planning for most of its 270 staff to be situated there. Nevertheless, the startup operates globally, with offices in Tel Aviv, Belgrade, and Seoul, actively testing its technologies in Austin and Seoul.
More deals catching our eyes…
Hayden AI Technologies, recognized for its AI-based camera systems aiding city traffic enforcement, secured $90 million in Series C funding led by The Rise Fund, with participation from existing investors including Drawdown Fund and Autotech Ventures.
Huture, a pioneering hydrogen energy firm from China, will merge with the blank-check entity Aquaron Acquisition Corp, valuing the combined entity at $1 billion.
Moving Tech, based in Bengaluru and parent to the open-source ride-sharing app Namma Yatri, completed an $11 million pre-Series A funding round, led jointly by Blume Ventures and Antler, with Google also contributing.
Northbound, innovating in the global shipping logistics software arena from Germany, raised €1.3 million ($1.42 million) in a pre-seed investment led by Apex Black, with contributions from id4 ventures, IBB Ventures, Schenker Ventures, and MVP Factory.
Tekion Corp, founded in California in 2016 to innovate software solutions for the automotive retail and manufacturing industry, garnered $200 million in funding from Dragoneer Investment Group, bringing its valuation to over $4 billion.
UP.Partners, a venture capital firm from Santa Monica focused on mobility startups, is on track to secure $230 million for its second investment fund, according to SEC filings and Axios reports.
Must-Reads and More
The Realm of Autonomous Vehicles
Aurora co-founder Sterling Anderson recently conversed with George Gianarikas from Canaccord Genuity on varying methods to autonomous driving. Listen in to Anderson’s views on the use of complete AI — Tesla’s stated approach — for safe autonomous vehicle deployment.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk provided clarity on news surrounding the delay of the company’s robotaxi unveiling, attributing it to a “significant design revision at the front.” We are all ears for further details, including the rescheduled date for this much-anticipated event.
Waymo had to contend with vandalism issues as a resident from Castro Valley faced charges for slashing tires of 17 Waymo robotaxis in San Francisco. Footage captured by the robotaxis’ external cameras played a crucial role in identifying the perpetrator.
Further insights into how Waymo’s parent company Alphabet leverages AI to advance the capabilities of its self-driving vehicles are provided by Automotive News.
EVs, Charging Solutions, and Battery Tech
TechCrunch’s own Tim Stevens stumbled upon an intriguing EV startup, Helixx, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Dive into his chat with Helixx’s CEO Steve Pegg to discover their revolutionary “factory-in-a-box” concept and their 3D-printed van prototype. Stevens emphasizes that Helixx’s narrative centers not just around a uniquely boxy van aimed at a price point of $6,000, but a complete reinvention of automotive construction principles.
VanMoof, an e-bike company that previously declared bankruptcy, is staging a comeback. With new leadership, they’re attempting to regain the trust of 5,000 customers who were left hanging after pre-ordering bikes. Senior journalist Rebecca Bellan delves into their strategy for making amends.
Elevating the Future of Flight
Archer Aviation and Southwest Airlines have embarked on a collaborative journey to explore the integration of electric air taxis within California’s airport infrastructure. Senior journalist Rebecca Bellan reveals that Southwest’s extensive customer data is pivotal to this venture.
Spotlight on This Week’s Wheels
My initial impression of the Nissan Ariya last year was underwhelming, primarily due to high expectations and a hefty price tag. Considering Nissan’s legacy with the Leaf, the Ariya should have been a culmination of everything Nissan learned, finely tuned to meet customer needs.
Spending more time with the electric SUV, specifically the 2024 Nissan Ariya Empower+ model, painted in sophisticated Boulder Gray and Super Black, I could gather more insights. Boasting around 289 miles of range and starting at $47,690 (excluding taxes and destination fees), many aspects remain unchanged from the 2023 model. However, a revised pricing structure across its various models addresses my previous concerns.
The interior aesthetics of the Ariya, including its dashboard, present a modern, minimalist design, a notable step up from the Leaf. The arrangement feels spacious, enhanced by a flat floor and an adjustable center console. Not only do the seats look appealing, but they are also comfortable, an appreciated aspect.
Despite liking the segregation of the HVAC controls beneath the 12.3-inch touchscreen, I found the haptic feedback controls less intuitive than desired, often requiring multiple attempts to register an input. The gear selector also faced initial reluctance from me, though it became more manageable over time.
The Nissan Ariya Empower+, the premier variant in front-wheel drive, is powered by an 87 kWh battery and a single motor, outputting 238 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This results in a driving experience that is relaxed, comfortable, and well-balanced — perfectly suited for those who prioritize a more subdued drive over raw acceleration and sporty dynamics (although the higher-end all-wheel-drive versions offer more speed).
No significant updates were made to the 2024 Ariya’s software, leaving room for improvement, especially in terms of setting the charging state from within the vehicle. Currently, users must rely on the My Nissan app for this functionality.
Compiled by Techarena.au.
Fanpage: TechArena.au
Watch more about AI – Artificial Intelligence
