Ride-Sharing Pioneer Sues Uber for Patent Infringement

Carma Technology, founded in 2007, has filed a lawsuit against Uber alleging infringement on five patents related to ride-sharing technology. The patents cover the core system of matching riders with available vehicles. This isn't a typical patent troll case, and legal experts believe Uber faces a significant challenge. Carma's patents are part of a larger family, making the litigation complex for Uber to defend.

“What’s important to understand here is, Carma isn’t just asserting five patents. They have had a very sophisticated strategy of patent procurement that they’ve been working on for the past 18 years.”

Carma's strategic patent acquisition over 18 years adds to the complexity of the case.

Stealth AV Startup Emerges with Waymo Veteran at the Helm

Bedrock Robotics, a new autonomous vehicle technology startup led by former Waymo executive Boris Sofman, is developing a self-driving kit for construction equipment. The San Francisco-based company is currently in stealth mode but has reportedly secured substantial venture funding. The retrofitting kit aims to automate heavy machinery in the construction industry.

Tesla Faces Sales Decline and Cybertruck Challenges

Tesla sales in Europe and the UK have dropped by nearly 50%. Meanwhile, unsold Cybertrucks are accumulating in Detroit, and trade-in values for the vehicle are experiencing significant depreciation, reaching up to 45%.

Other Notable Transportation News

Robot Deliveries Land in Texas

Rivr's four-wheeled delivery robots, designed to climb stairs, are being piloted in Austin, Texas, with Veho. These robots will deliver packages directly to customers' doorsteps, addressing the "last 100 yards" delivery challenge.

TuSimple Data Transfer Raises Concerns

TuSimple (now CreateAI) allegedly sent sensitive self-driving data to a Beijing-owned company despite a US national security agreement, raising concerns within the industry.

Zoox Issues Second Robotaxi Recall

Zoox issued its second software recall following a collision with an e-scooter. The incident highlights the complexities of autonomous vehicle operation in urban environments. Zoox also announced a partnership with Resorts World Las Vegas.

Stellantis Ends Amazon Partnership, Pivots to Android

Stellantis ended its partnership with Amazon for in-car software development and will now utilize an Android-based system. This shift impacts Stellantis's software revenue goals.

Recent Funding Rounds in the Transportation Sector

  • Firefly Aerospace secured $50 million from Northrop Grumman for its medium launch vehicle, Eclipse.
  • Pallet, a warehouse logistics software startup, raised $27 million in Series B funding.
  • Volteras, developing virtual connective tissue for EV battery grid support, closed an $11.1 million Series A round.
  • Way Data Technologies, a fleet management startup, raised €2.6 million in pre-seed funding.

Stay tuned for more updates on the future of transportation.