The session began with an unexpected twist—the resignation of a key Tesla executive just months before a major product launch, stirring speculation and concern about the internal dynamics at one of the world’s most watched tech companies. This departure was not just a routine reshuffle but hinted at deeper challenges within Tesla’s ranks, possibly foreshadowing significant impacts on its strategic directions and operational efficiency.

Adding layers to the conversation, the discourse shifted to the broader implications of how major ride-hailing companies are positioning themselves in anticipation of a future dominated by autonomous vehicles. The CEOs of Uber and Lyft offered their perspectives on the industry’s trajectory, emphasizing how autonomous technology could redefine the economics of their business models and the essence of urban mobility.

These discussions are set against a rapidly evolving technological landscape with incredibly high stakes. The transition to autonomous ride-hailing is not merely a technological upgrade but a comprehensive shift that could reshape urban environments, influence global markets, and redefine how we think about transportation.

Tesla’s Internal Shifts and Market Speculations

Navigating Corporate Culture and Leadership Changes

Tesla’s recent internal shifts highlight a broader narrative of corporate culture challenges amid aggressive innovation targets. The departure of Rich Otto, a key figure in product launches, is a stark indicator of the potential misalignments between Tesla’s rapid growth ambitions and its internal workforce stability. “The balance between relentless innovation and employee well-being appears to be tipping, which might be causing pivotal talent to exit at critical junctures,” remarked an industry analyst who preferred to remain anonymous.

This incident not only raises concerns about Tesla’s morale but also prompts speculation about the potential impact on upcoming product launches, particularly the much-anticipated RoboTaxi service. If key personnel are leaving due to the pressures within the company, it could signal deeper issues that may affect Tesla’s ability to meet its innovative promises and timelines.

Impact on Investor Confidence and Market Perception

Otto’s resignation and comments about the company’s direction and employee morale come at a time when investor confidence in Tesla’s operational stability is crucial. The electric vehicle market is becoming increasingly competitive, and Tesla’s ability to maintain its lead hinges on innovation and its capability to execute complex product rollouts smoothly.

“The timing of these high-profile exits could lead to a jittery perception among investors, who may begin to question whether Tesla can sustain its aggressive growth without compromising its operational integrity,” explained a financial market expert. This speculation can lead to volatility in Tesla’s stock price as investors reassess their risk and growth projections based on the company’s internal health.

Strategic Implications for Tesla’s Future

Looking forward, Tesla’s challenge will be managing these internal disruptions while ensuring its strategic objectives are not derailed. The company has historically rebounded from setbacks by doubling down on innovation and publicly addressing any strategic shifts. However, as the electric vehicle and autonomous driving markets evolve, Tesla will need to innovate and stabilize its internal environment to retain and attract the talent necessary for its future plans.

Moreover, Tesla’s leadership must communicate effectively with employees and the market to reassure stakeholders of its resilience and strategic direction. How the company navigates these internal challenges could set a precedent for how tech-driven companies manage growth pressures and maintain innovation without sacrificing corporate health.

In conclusion, as Tesla continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the automotive and technology sectors, its ability to manage internal dynamics will be as crucial as its external innovations. The world is watching what Tesla develops next and how it grows—and sustains—the culture and workforce needed to achieve its ambitious goals.

The Echo Chamber of Tech Enthusiasm

The Dangers of Selective Information Sharing

The incident involving the deletion of Rich Otto’s resignation post by pro-Tesla influencer Sawyer exemplifies a troubling trend in tech enthusiasm: selective information sharing. Often found in tightly-knit tech communities, this practice can skew public perception and foster an environment where only favorable news is amplified. “When dissenting voices or less favorable narratives are suppressed, the community risks becoming an echo chamber that distorts the true state of affairs,” a social media analyst noted. This phenomenon is particularly significant in investment decisions, where a full spectrum of information is crucial for sound judgment.

The Role of Social Media in Shaping Corporate Narratives

Social media platforms play a pivotal role in shaping how corporate narratives unfold in the public eye. In the case of Tesla, platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn have become battlegrounds where different narratives compete for visibility. The swift deletion of posts that paint the company in a less favorable light, as in Sawyer’s case, raises concerns about transparency and accountability in how information is curated and shared. “Social media shouldn’t just be a megaphone for promotional content. It needs to serve as a balanced platform where diverse opinions and facts are presented,” said a communications expert specializing in digital media.

Addressing Misinformation and Fostering a Healthy Discourse

The challenge of combating misinformation and fostering a healthy discourse in tech communities is not insignificant. Companies and influencers are responsible for encouraging a culture of openness and informed debate. This involves not only sharing successes but also openly discussing challenges and setbacks. “Influencers and community leaders need to encourage discussions based on facts, including those that may not always be flattering,” suggested a community manager from a prominent tech forum.

The Impact of Echo Chambers on Innovation

Furthermore, the prevalence of echo chambers can stifle innovation. When companies are only exposed to positive feedback and shielded from criticism, they may become less responsive to market needs and potential areas for improvement. “True innovation requires challenging established ideas and continuously seeking to understand better and serve the market,” remarked an innovation consultant. For companies like Tesla, navigating this landscape means actively engaging with all feedback to continually refine and improve their offerings.

In essence, while the allure of positive reinforcement from tech enthusiasts is strong, fostering a balanced and transparent information ecosystem is crucial for the long-term health of the company and its community. As Tesla and other tech giants continue to influence the future of technology, the integrity with which they manage their public discourse will be as scrutinized as the innovations they bring to market.

Ride-Hailing Giants Weigh In

Strategic Moves in the Ride-Hailing Landscape

As the automotive industry edges closer to integrating autonomous vehicles, major ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft are keenly observing and planning for shifts in the market dynamics. Uber’s CEO has articulated a vision where autonomous vehicles enhance the company’s service offerings by making rides safer and more affordable, which could dramatically increase market penetration and consumer demand. “Autonomous technology holds the promise of transforming the economics of ride-hailing,” he stated in a recent interview, emphasizing the potential for broad market expansion as technological and regulatory hurdles are overcome.

Lyft, on the other hand, has taken a slightly different approach by focusing on increasing user volume, even at the expense of higher ride prices. Their strategy revolves around scaling operations to maximize the number of rides, thereby leveraging economies of scale to lower costs and eventually improve service accessibility. “Our aim is to create a high-volume, low-cost service that makes ride-hailing a practical alternative to personal vehicle ownership,” explained a Lyft executive.

Competitive Pressures and Market Predictions

The competition between these ride-hailing giants and their strategies regarding autonomous vehicles also indicates a significant shift in how transportation services are viewed and valued. Both companies are positioning themselves as service providers and forward-thinking innovators in a rapidly evolving market. As they continue to invest in and explore autonomous vehicle technologies, they set the stage for a future where ride-hailing could become even more ubiquitous and integrated into daily transportation habits.

Market analysts predict that autonomous driving technology becoming reliable and widespread will create a ripple effect across the transportation industry. This will impact ride-hailing services, public transportation systems, and personal vehicle sales. “The eventual widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles by ride-hailing companies is expected to significantly disrupt current transportation models, potentially reducing the need for personal car ownership,” noted a transportation analyst.

Navigating Regulatory and Technological Challenges

However, the transition to autonomous ride-hailing is fraught with challenges, including significant regulatory hurdles and the technological complexities of safely integrating autonomous vehicles into the existing transportation ecosystem. Both Uber and Lyft are actively engaging with policymakers to shape the regulatory frameworks that will allow for the safe deployment of autonomous vehicles. Meanwhile, they continue to refine the technology, ensuring it can reliably handle the complexities of real-world driving conditions.

“Ensuring the safety and reliability of autonomous ride-hailing services is paramount. As we advance our technology, we must also work closely with regulators to create an environment that supports these advancements while protecting the public,” stated the head of safety for one of the ride-hailing firms.

As the dialogue around autonomous vehicles and their role in future transportation systems continues to evolve, Uber and Lyft are at the forefront, shaping their business models and influencing broader industry standards and consumer expectations. The outcome of their efforts will likely define the next era of urban mobility.

A Future Shaped by Autonomous Technology

Integration of Autonomous Vehicles into Urban Infrastructure

Integrating these vehicles into existing urban infrastructures becomes a pivotal focus as autonomous technology progresses. Cities worldwide are beginning to evaluate how autonomous ride-hailing services could fit into and potentially enhance their transportation networks. This integration involves not only the vehicles’ deployment but also significant updates to road systems, signaling, and urban planning to accommodate a new era of transport. “The successful integration of autonomous vehicles requires a collaborative approach between technology companies, city planners, and regulatory bodies to ensure that the infrastructure can safely and efficiently support this transition,” noted an urban planning expert.

Consumer Adaptation and Market Acceptance

Consumer adaptation and market acceptance are other crucial aspects of shaping the future with autonomous technology. Despite the technological advancements, the widespread adoption of autonomous ride-hailing depends significantly on public trust and comfort levels with the technology. Ride-hailing companies are investing in extensive public relations campaigns and pilot programs designed to educate the public and demonstrate the safety and benefits of autonomous vehicles. “Building consumer trust is as important as developing the technology itself. We’re committed to demonstrating the reliability and safety of our autonomous services through transparent and extensive testing,” said a communications director at a leading ride-hailing company.

Economic Impacts and Opportunities

The economic implications of autonomous ride-hailing are vast and varied. On the one hand, reducing the cost of transportation services could lead to increased disposable income for consumers and overall economic activity. On the other hand, there are concerns about the impact on employment within the driving sector. Economists closely monitor these developments, predicting that while some jobs may be lost in the transition, new opportunities will arise in vehicle maintenance, fleet management, and technology development sectors. “The shift towards autonomous ride-hailing will undoubtedly transform the labor market. This transition must be managed with a strong focus on retraining programs and job creation in new areas,” an economist specializing in labor markets commented.

Sustainability and Environmental Considerations

Finally, the environmental impact of widespread autonomous ride-hailing could be profound. Autonomous vehicles are generally more efficient, which could reduce emissions and lower energy consumption per capita in urban transportation. Furthermore, shifting from personal vehicle ownership to shared autonomous fleets could decrease the number of vehicles needed, thus reducing urban congestion and contributing to less polluted city environments. “Embracing autonomous ride-hailing could accelerate our progress towards sustainability in urban transportation, aligning with broader environmental goals like reducing carbon footprints and enhancing public space,” stated an environmental policy maker.

As we stand on the brink of a transformative era in transportation, the move towards autonomous ride-hailing presents many challenges and opportunities. How companies, governments, and societies navigate these will determine the shape of urban mobility for decades to come, highlighting the need for thoughtful, inclusive, and strategic planning to harness the full potential of this promising technology.

According to local outlet Fox 9, Uber and Lyft have issued ultimatums, stating their intentions to cease operations in Minneapolis starting May 1 if the mandate is not revised or revoked. This move comes after the council voted in favor of a proposal mandating a minimum wage for rideshare drivers, a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from both companies.

In a statement, Uber expressed its support for comprehensive statewide legislation that guarantees drivers a minimum earnings threshold while preserving their flexibility and independence. The company emphasized its preference for a statewide approach to regulation rather than piecemeal mandates at the city level.

Similarly, Lyft opposed the council’s proposal, warning that it would be forced to cease operations in Minneapolis if the mandate became law. Both companies underscored their commitment to finding a more sustainable and thoughtful policy solution in collaboration with stakeholders.

The council’s proposal, which would require rideshare companies to pay drivers a minimum rate per mile and per minute, has reignited a longstanding debate over driver pay and working conditions in the gig economy. While supporters argue that the mandate is necessary to ensure fair compensation for drivers, opponents contend that it would lead to higher prices for riders and reduced opportunities for drivers.

The standoff highlights the challenges inherent in regulating the gig economy, where traditional labor laws often struggle to keep pace with evolving business models. As cities grapple with balancing between protecting workers’ rights and fostering innovation, the outcome of the Minneapolis dispute could have broader implications for the future of ride-sharing regulation nationwide.

With tensions running high and the stakes mounting, all eyes are on Minneapolis as the city council weighs its next steps in this high-stakes showdown between ride-sharing giants and local lawmakers. As the deadline for Uber and Lyft’s potential departure looms, the fate of rideshare drivers and passengers hangs in the balance.

According to a report by TechCrunch, Uber plans to offer customers the ability to book a boat via the Uber app. The service will allow customers to book a boat capable of holding eight passengers for tours around Mykonos. If the service is successful, other locations may be added.

As the outlet points out, while ride-sharing has rebounded post-pandemic, Uber is under pressure to expand into growth markets. The new venture is something of a departure from past boating services Uber has experimented with, as the Greece service is not owned by a third party.

Lyft is one of the leading ride-sharing services and sees an opportunity to expand its own advertising business and help partner brands reach more consumers. As the pandemic wanes, people are traveling more, opening the door to increased opportunity.

“Our vision is to build the world’s largest transportation media network, delivering value to advertisers while also elevating the platform experience for riders and drivers,” reads the company’s blog. “Over the past two years, we’ve been growing our media business and are excited to share more details about our products, new partnerships, and future plans.”

The company’s plan revolve around four advertising channels: Lyft Halo, Lyft Tablet, Lyft Bikes, and Lyft Skins.

Lyft Halo

Lyft Halo consists of rooftop-mounted screens that can display digital advertising. The concept is built around Lyft’s 2019 acquisition of Halo Cars.

Rather than generalized ads, Lyft Halo will display ads specifically tuned to the time of day and vehicle’s location, maximizing possible engagement. Brands will be able to track the performance of their ads, thanks to Lyfts attribution partners.

Lyft Tablets

Lyft Tablets are in-vehicle tablets that provide passengers with a way to monitor the progress of their journey, control the vehicle’s music, pay and tip the driver, and engage with partner branding.

In the company’s pilot program, “1 in 4 engaged with the tablet during their ride, and 98% rated the experience as positive or neutral. And for drivers, tips increased by an average of 28% per ride while using the tablet in Q4 2021.”

Lyft Bikes

Lyft Bikes provide an easy way for customers to rent a bike rather than a traditional vehicle. Lyft is installing display panels at the bike stations, providing partners yet another way to engage with consumers.

The company already has 3,000 stations, 45,000 bikes, and serves 36 million rides annually, providing a significant opportunity to advertisers.

Lyft Skins

Lyft Skins provides a way for brands to interact with consumers via the Lyft App itself. DoorDash, Starbucks, HBO Max, Marriott, and Google are just a few of the brands that have already benefited from this channel, and the company is bringing more companies and brands onboard.

Lyft is clearly looking to capitalize on its position in the ride-sharing market to become a digital platform that provides value to consumers and brands alike.

Lyft’s latest round of layoffs comes just months after it laid off 13% of its staff in November. When announcing the news last week, CEO David Risher said: “We need to be a faster, flatter company where everyone is closer to our riders and drivers so we can deliver on this purpose.”

In a filing with the SEC, Lyft says it plans to lay off 1,072 employees in addition to scaling back hiring.

The plan involves the termination of approximately 1,072 employees, representing 26% of the Company’s employees. The Company has also decided to scale back hiring and has eliminated over 250 open positions.

The company expects the layoffs to cost “approximately $41 million to $47 million related to severance and employee benefits in the second quarter of 2023.”

Lyft laid off 13% of its staff in late 2022, but the company is preparing for another round, according to a company-wide memo. CEO David Risher said the cuts are “part of a restructuring to focus on better meeting the needs of riders and drivers.”

Risher says the layoffs are necessary to help the company reduces costs and continue providing affordable rides.

“We need to be a faster, flatter company where everyone is closer to our riders and drivers so we can deliver on this purpose,” Risher said. “And we need to bring our costs down to deliver affordable rides, compelling earnings for drivers, and profitable growth. We intend to use these savings to invest in competitive pricing, faster pick-up times, and better driver earnings. All of these require us to reduce our size and restructure how we’re organized.”

Risher took responsibility for the decision, saying he knew the “enormous cost” associated with it.

“I own this decision, and understand that it comes at an enormous cost. We’re not just talking about team members; we’re talking about relationships with people who’ve worked (and played) together, sometimes for years. “

The Wall Street Journal says the planned layoffs will impact 1,200 of the company’s 4,000 employees, or roughly 30%.

China has been waging war on tech companies in an effort to reign them in. As part of the crackdown, Beijing banned Didi from app stores and investigated its handling of customer data, according to CNN. The investigation was launched just days after Didi went public, wiping out tens of billions from the company’s value.

Roughly a week after a Chinese official declared the tech crackdown “basically” over, Didi is once again free to conduct its business.

“For more than a year, our company has cooperated with the government’s cybersecurity review, seriously dealt with the security issues found in the review, and carried out a comprehensive rectification,” Didi said in a statement posted on its Weibo account, via CNN.

According to Fast Company, Lyft CEO Logan Green and President John Zimmer called employees to an all-hands meeting.

“We’re facing a probable recession sometime in the next year and rideshare insurance costs are going up,” the executives wrote in an email announcing the meeting. “We worked hard to bring down costs this summer: we slowed, then froze hiring; cut spending; and paused less-critical initiatives. Still, Lyft has to become leaner, which requires us to part with incredible team members.”

“We are not immune to the realities of inflation and a slowing economy. We need 2023 to be a period where we can better execute without having to change plans in response to external events — and the tough reality is that today’s actions set us up to do that,” Zimmer and Green added. “It’s our responsibility to take ownership of these decisions and, in the end, protect the future we’re building for the drivers and riders we serve.”

The company says it will give workers 10 weeks of pay, assistance finding other jobs, and healthcare through April 2024.

Lyft is one of the leading ride-sharing services and sees an opportunity to expand its own advertising business and help partner brands reach more consumers. As the pandemic wanes, people are traveling more, opening the door to increased opportunity.

“Our vision is to build the world’s largest transportation media network, delivering value to advertisers while also elevating the platform experience for riders and drivers,” reads the company’s blog. “Over the past two years, we’ve been growing our media business and are excited to share more details about our products, new partnerships, and future plans.”

The company’s plan revolve around four advertising channels: Lyft Halo, Lyft Tablet, Lyft Bikes, and Lyft Skins.

Lyft Halo

Lyft Halo consists of rooftop-mounted screens that can display digital advertising. The concept is built around Lyft’s 2019 acquisition of Halo Cars.

Rather than generalized ads, Lyft Halo will display ads specifically tuned to the time of day and vehicle’s location, maximizing possible engagement. Brands will be able to track the performance of their ads, thanks to Lyfts attribution partners.

Lyft Tablets

Lyft Tablets are in-vehicle tablets that provide passengers with a way to monitor the progress of their journey, control the vehicle’s music, pay and tip the driver, and engage with partner branding.

In the company’s pilot program, “1 in 4 engaged with the tablet during their ride, and 98% rated the experience as positive or neutral. And for drivers, tips increased by an average of 28% per ride while using the tablet in Q4 2021.”

Lyft Bikes

Lyft Bikes provide an easy way for customers to rent a bike rather than a traditional vehicle. Lyft is installing display panels at the bike stations, providing partners yet another way to engage with consumers.

The company already has 3,000 stations, 45,000 bikes, and serves 36 million rides annually, providing a significant opportunity to advertisers.

Lyft Skins

Lyft Skins provides a way for brands to interact with consumers via the Lyft App itself. DoorDash, Starbucks, HBO Max, Marriott, and Google are just a few of the brands that have already benefited from this channel, and the company is bringing more companies and brands onboard.

Lyft is clearly looking to capitalize on its position in the ride-sharing market to become a digital platform that provides value to consumers and brands alike.

Early Uber investor Jason Calacanis says that unlike Lyft, Uber built a very anti-fragile business with the combination of Eats and Rides and has become relentlessly focused:

Uber Built A Very Anti-Fragile Business

What we’re really going to see here is that Uber built a very anti-fragile business in regards to having the Eats business and having the Rides business. When the Ride’s business went down that kind of indicates people are staying home. When they stay home they use Uber Eats and increasingly Drizly, Cornershop, and Postmates. People are ordering groceries. Watching the Uber team take on this challenge of the pandemic year has been really impressive.

It reminds me a lot of Disney and how they got focused around Disney+ as the center of the organization. They looked at what was happening in the pandemic and said parks are great, merch is great, movies are great, let’s just put everything into Disney+ and accelerate that. Look what happened to that company. I’ve got to give Dara Khosrowshahi a lot of credit. He got rid of a lot of the noise like self-driving cars which are a multi-decade kind of vision. He sold off the places where they weren’t going to be in first, second, or even third place. He did JVs and sold off those businesses like Russia and China, etc. That’s well documented.

The Space Can’t Have 50 Players Losing Money

They found a new really inspiring footing which is if Amazon is two-day delivery going to one-day, Uber’s is one-hour delivery going to 10-minute delivery. That is Travis Kalanick’s original vision for Uber. When I met with him when he was building the company and I was the third or fourth investor his vision was this is a logistic company. We took atoms in the world made them bits on the internet. Now we’re going to take bits on your phone, an app, and we’re going to move atoms in the real world. That was his original pitch. Here we are in decade two where I’m still own the same shares I’ve had since I bought them for a penny or whatever back in 2008 or 2009. I remain super bullish. I have a huge position in Uber and I’m going to hold it for the next decade.

It’s fairly obvious that there are acquisitions and consolidation that need to happen in the space in order for it to be profitable. The space can’t have 50 players losing money. We’ve watched Lyft, Postmates, Doordash, and everybody, say that we’re going to have to charge what this product is worth. We’re going to have to stop burning money. There’s no free VC money. The public markets are not down with lose money forever and grow. I think we found a happy medium here between what public market investors want, profits, and what private market investors want, growth.

Uber Has Become Relentlessly Focused

I think Dara has done an exceptional job. Some things will come from acquisitions but most of it has to be just relentless execution and focus. That is the inspiring part of what happened here. Uber has become relentlessly focused. Things that were coming in 10 or 20 years like self-driving in all likelihood will be a commodity business. In 10 or 20 years there’ll be five companies who have that technology. VTOLs are very fascinating and very interesting, but again that’s probably seven, eight, nine, or ten years off as a very niche product.

“If you look at California Constitution we feel very confident in the way the ballot initiative was written,” says Lyft co-founder and President, John Zimmer. “The Attorney General in California agrees with us and was on our side in this lawsuit. As this goes through higher courts, the appeals court in California, we are extremely confident that the proposition will be upheld.”

“There is no change coming (to Lyft) out of that ruling,” adds Zimmer. “It will go on appeal and we’ll continue to work within the system of law and we are confident of the final outcome.”

“It’s hard to predict the legal process fully but we’re optimistic that within that (6 months) timeframe we’ll get a more final resolution.”

SpaceX has previously focused largely on deploying its own satellites, specifically for its Starlink constellation. The company is now branching out into space ridesharing, launching satellites for customers.

The first such launch, Transporter-1, carried 143 satellites. Tuesday’s launch, Transporter-2, only carried 88 satellites but, according to TechCrunch, contained more overall mass.

The launch also marked the first time this year the company successfully landed its first stage onshore, as opposed to landing on a drone ship.

Volocopter has demoed its electric air taxi at the Paris Air Forum, vowing to bring air taxi services to market in time for the 2024 Olympics.

Companies worldwide are racing to make air taxis a reality. The technology promises to speed up commutes, reduce city congestion, and revolutionize the transportation industry.

After a successful demonstration, Volocopter is one step closer to bringing its own taxi service to Martlet. The company is committed to bringing a full-fledged service to the region in time for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. The service will likely see major success with the influx of tourists and Olympic-goers looking to experience everything possible.

“The first flight today in Paris highlights Volocopter’s commitment to bring air taxi services to this region in time for the 2024 Olympic Games,” said Florian Reuter, Volocopter CEO. “The alliance of the Paris region, Groupe ADP, and RATP Groupe and their intent to bring electric air taxis to France is a stellar example of the collaborative approach we see to be the most successful for adding this exciting category of mobility to cities globally.”

“Today, we were as close as never before in France to experience electric aviation,” said Edward Arkwright, Deputy CEO of Groupe ADP. “Volocopter is a vivid example of what the future of aviation could look like, both carbon-free and innovative, that Groupe ADP wants to accompany thanks to our infrastructure assets, expertise, and know-how, along with the other partners of the RE. Invent Air Mobility initiative, Volocopter, is ready to enter a first test flight campaign by September on the Pontoise airfield sandbox we have built up in the past months. And we are thrilled to partner with them, RATP Group, and DGAC towards our objective of flight demonstrations in the Paris Region during the 2024 Olympic Games, to lay the foundation of a strong UAM industrial ecosystem in France.”

“After responding as the first player in the urban air mobility industry in the context of the call for expressions of interest, we are very pleased that Volocopter has confirmed its development and its establishment in France,” says Marie-Claude Dupois, Director of Strategy, Innovation and Development of RATP Group. “For RATP Group, this new mobility aims to complement our traditional transport modes.”

Despite the job-killing nature of the bill the Democrat’s press release sings its praises:

“Top Democrats Introduce Bill to Protect Workers’ Right to Organize and Make our Economy Work for Everyone. Legislation addresses growing income inequality by protecting workers’ right to join a union and negotiate for higher wages and better benefits.”

The House bill was introduced by House Committee on Education and Labor Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (FL-24), Congressman Andy Levin (MI-09), Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), and Congressman Brendan Boyle (PA-02).

The Senate bill was introduced by Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

The bill mimics the California bill which Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said would effectively end Uber as we know it in California. The company is already losing money and it would be impossible for it to pay a minimum wage of $15 an hour plus benefits to all of its 1 million drivers. It also begs the question, does the Democrat party not realize that the very people who love Uber and who are independent contractors for Uber probably are also majority Democrat voters? After all, the gig economy was popularized by liberal San Francisco based Uber itself.

Without an initiative process at the national level, the only way to keep the millions of gig jobs alive and to keep rideshare and food delivery readily available would be for their voters to vote the majority party out of office. There really is no middle ground here. In the meantime, if this bill passes Congress and is signed by Biden the gig economy will become illegal.

Driverless tech company Motional has announced it will use Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 for its robotaxi deal with Lyft.

Motional and Lyft signed “the world’s largest robotaxi deployment partnership.” Beginning in 2023, Lyft customers will be able to book a Motional robotaxi, instead of a traditional Lyft.

The company, which was founded by Hyundai Motor Group and Aptiv, plans to use Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 midsize electric crossover.

The futuristic IONIQ 5 is an all-electric, midsize crossover utility vehicle designed for the passenger experience. With a unique and luxurious living space and a sleek, modern exterior, Motional and Lyft riders will experience their fully autonomous rides in comfort and style. Built on Hyundai’s dedicated battery electric vehicle (BEV) platform, the IONIQ 5 delivers innovation in both mobility and sustainability.

Motional emphasizes the vehicles it will use are not the consumer version of the IONIQ 5, but ones with its Level 4 autonomous software integrated in. Autonomous driving software is graded from Level 0 to 5, with 5 being completely autonomous vehicles that never require human involvement.

In a world first, Uber will treat its UK drivers as “workers” after losing its case before the UK Supreme Court.

In February, the UK Supreme Court ruled that Uber drivers were entitled to more protections than they enjoyed as contractors. “Worker” is a classification unique to the UK, providing more protections than a contractor, but not reaching the status of an employee. Uber has been fighting similar battles in multiple jurisdictions, but the UK case was the company’s first major loss.

As a result, Uber has agreed to pay some 70,000 UK drivers minimum wage, as well as provide vacation pay and access to a pension plan.

Writing an op-ed piece for The Evening Standard, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi outlined the company’s policy evolution:

Our thinking on this issue has evolved over time, and I will be the first to admit that we’ve struggled to identify solutions that work for Uber and for those who earn on our platform.

Following last month’s UK Supreme Court ruling, we could have continued to dispute drivers’ rights to any of these protections in court. Instead, we have decided to turn the page. Beginning today, Uber drivers in the UK will be treated as workers.

It remains to be seen if the UK case will serve as a template for other countries and jurisdictions, but Uber’s willingness to make changes certainly will undermine its arguments in future cases.

Toyota is partnering with Aurora and Denso to develop autonomous vehicles, rather than going it alone.

Autonomous vehicles are widely seen as the next big step for the automotive industry. Whether it be a personal vehicle, mass transportation or rides-sharing, autonomous driving promises to usher in an era of safer, less distracted driving.

Automakers are taking different approaches to autonomous driving. Some, like Volkswagen, are developing their software in-house. Toyota, on the other hand, has decided to work with partners and industry leaders.

Akio Toyoda, Toyota President, outlined the company’s goals:

Rather than conduct development on our own―without friends and partners―we can partner and collaborate with others who share our aspirations. Rather than keep our patents to ourselves, we can open them up and create more new friends. Rather than sell only cars, we can provide various services in which vehicles are incorporated into a system and focus more broadly and openly on contributing to the improvement of society.

The company is partnering with Aurora and Denso to begin developing autonomous ride-sharing vehicles, starting with the Sienna. The goal is to design, build and be testing a fleet of the minivans by the end of 2021. Once testing is complete, the vehicles will be built and supported for various ride-hailing companies.

“Toyota has an unparalleled legacy, engineering expertise, leadership, and ability to deliver high-quality, affordable, and reliable vehicles,” said Chris Urmson, Aurora CEO. “They’re also the preferred vehicle brand for transporting riders on ride-hailing networks, so we’re excited and honored to work with them to unlock driverless mobility services with the Aurora Driver. Our development work on highway driving to support our first commercial product, a driverless truck, will also be critical for safely moving people, as a significant fraction of ride-share bookings today require the ability to drive over 50 mph.”

“Toyota is dedicated to creating and realizing mobility for all by focusing on technology that will move people safely and responsibly, a vision Aurora shares with us,” said Keiji Yamamoto, Operating Officer of Toyota and President of Connected Company. “By combining our expertise and know-how in vehicle control systems, mass-production, Connected Car technology, and our advanced safety support systems with Aurora’s industry-leading approach to self-driving technology, we aim to commercialize and deliver safe, high-quality, and affordable autonomous ride-sharing vehicles and services.”

As climate change becomes a greater concern, there is growing momentum for individuals, especially in cities, to use bikes and scooters instead of cars. The two-wheeled vehicles are also much less expensive, making them an appealing alternative for many people. Unfortunately, the very circumstances where bikes and scooters shine are also some of the most dangerous places to ride due to streets crowded with cars.

Tome Software, Ford, Trek Bicycle and Bosch are looking to tackle this problem by helping bikes, scooters and cars to communicate, alerting drivers to the presence of the smaller vehicles. According to The Washington Post, the companies made the announcement at CES2021.

The bicycle-to-vehicle (B2V) technology will use Bluetooth 5. Given the early stages of the initiative, however, an established methodology has not yet been decided upon.

“We have completed a critical milestone in cross-industry collaboration while we continue the research and development process through 2021 testing and on-road data collection pilots,” Jake Sigal, founder and chief executive of Tome Software, said in a statement.

This initiative is good news for cyclists and scooter riders, and will hopefully help make the roads much safer.

AI is one of the most important developments in the tech industry. Increasingly, is is being used in a wide array of fields, often with the goal to assist individuals in mundane tasks. Chat bots, support agents and conversational AIs are just a few examples. One challenge, however, is making AIs that people will engage with.

Researchers at Uber believe they have the solution, and have written a paper emphasizing the importance of developing an AI language model around positive, social interaction.

Goal-oriented conversational agents are becoming prevalent in our daily lives. For these systems to engage users and achieve their goals, they need to exhibit appropriate social behavior as well as provide informative replies that guide users through tasks.

The researchers hypothesized that an AI using positive interaction would encourage more engagement.

We, therefore, hypothesize that users would prefer a conversaional agent with more polite or more positive language and be more willing to engage with, respond to and persist in the interaction when conversing with an agent using polite and positive language.

Uber’s researchers tested their hypothesis in a ride-sharing environment, where new drivers’ on-boarding was guided by text messages from customer support representatives (CSR).

In this Study 1 we investigated whether and how social language is related to user engagement in task-oriented conversations. We used existing machine learning models to measure politeness and positivity in our analyses. The results show that the politeness level in CSR messages was positively correlated with driver’s responsiveness and completion of their first trip. We also found that positivity positively predicts driver’s first trip, but it has a negative relationship to driver responsiveness even after removing congratulatory milestone messages or messages that do not have any question mark, which usually have positive sentiment and/or do not require responses from drivers.

Uber’s research could be an important stepping stone in the ongoing development of AI, ensuring it best supports human needs.

Hyundai is acquiring a majority stake in Boston Dynamics, the maker of robotic dog Spot.

Hyundai will take an 80% stake Boston Dynamics, while existing owner SoftBank will maintain a 20% stake. Hyundai sees the acquisition as an important step toward its transformation into a Smart Mobility Solution Provider.

Boston Dynamics Spot

Hyundai has increasingly been innovating beyond the traditional concept of the automobile. The company is investing heavily in its Urban Air Mobility platform, in an effort to make aerial transport and ride-sharing a reality. Similarly, Hyundai and Autodesk are working to create the Ultimate Mobility Vehicle(UMV), a vehicle with legs that can walk to reach areas a traditional vehicle cannot. The latter, in particular, is a concept that bears a striking resemblance to Boston Dynamics’ work.

Elevate

We are delighted to have Boston Dynamics, a world leader in mobile robots, join the Hyundai team. This transaction will unite capabilities of Hyundai Motor Group and Boston Dynamics to spearhead innovation in future mobility. The synergies created by our union offer exciting new pathways for our companies to realize our goal – providing free and safe movement and higher plane of life experiences for humanity. We will also contribute to the society by enhancing its safety, security, public health amid global trends of aging society and digital transformation. — Euisun Chung Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group

Hyundai’s stake in Boston Dynamics should help the company continue innovating as automobile makers look beyond traditional transportation.