
HIGH 5! Here is the news update of the latest trends from the global technology and startup scene. HIGH 5 is published by Lab1886. This week’s topics are:
Why the e-mobility incentives package is not enough +++ Lyft users get free music +++ Driverless e-buses in Hamburg +++ First robot car race +++ New technologies and wellbeing
Electric
Tax package as e-car incentive: Why it’s not enough
A newly drafted bill promises billions in e-mobility subsidies for delivery vans, company cars and e-charging points in the workplace. This is still not enough: a direct buyer’s premium like the environmental bonus only makes sense if it extends beyond 2020. This would offset the – currently higher – prices of e-vehicles. While tax incentives could also encourage buyers, the draft law only guarantees them for company cars, not privately owned ones.
Source: emobly
Mobility // Marketing
Lyft app users get a free music album for taking a ride
Last weekend, New York users of ridesharing app Lyft benefited from a marketing campaign that mixed mobility with entertainment. If they used the ridesharing service between Friday and Sunday, they were given a free download link to a music album by Chance the Rapper. Lyft drivers were also eligible. The service wanted to “create a new in-car experience”.
Source: RollingStone
Autonomous // Electric
Self-driving e-buses on Hamburg streets from 2020
This year, Hamburg’s Hochbahn transit authority will trial autonomous e-minibuses in regular street traffic – albeit with onboard drivers. Starting in 2020, the Hamburg Electric Autonomous Transportation (HEAT) project will allow self-driving minibuses to transport passengers over a two-kilometer (1.25-mile) route at 25 km/h (15 mph). Starting in 2021, the speed will rise to 50 km/h (30 mph).
Source: Elektroauto-News (German)
Racing // Autonomous
The world’s first autonomous car race
A team from autonomous startup Arrival prevailed against the team from Munich’s Technical University in the world’s first Roborace at the Monteblanco racetrack in Spain. Controlled by algorithms, the Roboracers travel at speeds of over 320 km/h (199 mph). Each vehicle is equipped with lidar, two radar units, 18 ultrasonic sensors, GNSS satellite positioning and six cameras, along with two optical speed sensors and Nvidia Drive PX2 processing units.
Source: New Atlas
AI // Society
Impact of new technologies on wellbeing
As more and more new technologies are introduced, the question arises: Will they also benefit social wellbeing, or will the fear of losing jobs to new technologies undermine consumer confidence? This depends on two key factors: first, how AI improves quality of life, and second, how companies and governments prepare for this techno-transformation.
Source: McKinsey
HIGH 5 is published by Lab1886. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact us using the following email address: David Menzel (david.menzel@daimler.com)