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Short week, short newsletter. To our U.S.-based readers, we hope you enjoyed your Labor Day break!
Before diving into the latest news, let’s check out an intriguing innovation that merges robotics, mobility, and accessibility. Korea’s Institute of Machinery and Materials recently unveiled a robotic wheelchair equipped with large, deformable wheels that can navigate rocks, stairs, and other obstacles. Take a look!
Now, let’s get into the updates. Let’s go!
A little bird
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Deals!
Impressive hustle! Zepto, the 3-year-old Indian delivery and e-commerce startup, has secured $1 billion in funding in the last 90 days. This confirms our previous reports of the startup finalizing a $340 million funding round led by General Catalyst. Other investors include Nexus Venture Partners, Lightspeed, Avra, YC Continuity, Contrary, and StepStone Group.
E Daddy, a UAE-based company producing two-wheeler EVs, raised $15 million in a recent funding round. Another standout deal is Oxylus Energy, a Yale chemistry lab spinout focused on green methanol production, securing a $4.5 million seed round led by Toyota Ventures and Azolla Ventures.
WeMob, a fleet management and telematics SaaS firm in Iberia, was acquired by Alerce for an undisclosed amount.
Notable reads and other tidbits
ADAS
A tragic incident involving a woman using Ford BlueCruise resulted in charges of DUI homicide after the hands-free driver-assistance system was involved in two fatalities.
Autonomous vehicles
Tesla is gearing up to unveil its robotaxi at an event in LA, with reports indicating pre-event data collection in the area for extensive mapping.
Electric vehicles, charging & batteries
Tesla cleaned house by deleting all pre-2019 blog posts without explanation, removing a historical archive of the company’s journey and milestones.
Future of flight
Archer Aviation celebrated exceeding 402 test flights this year, emphasizing preparations for forthcoming flight tests with the FAA.
Ride-hailing and car-sharing
Lyft underwent restructuring, leading to layoffs and the end of dockless rides as the company focuses on integrated services.
Uber announced plans to expand in South Korea, challenging market leaders in the region.
Vay, a Berlin-based startup in teleoperated car-sharing, is diversifying into commercial services and partnerships, driving innovation in the sector.
This week’s wheels
Tested the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV 2LT recently and was pleasantly surprised by the improved software performance compared to previous experiences. Equipped with an 85 kWh battery and Super Cruise, this electric vehicle offers an estimated range of 319 miles and a base price of $45,995. Despite some minor software quirks, the Equinox EV proved to be a solid choice in the EV market.
Stay tuned for more insights on the transportation products we test, including e-bikes, the GMC Sierra EV, and future electric vehicles.
