Welcome back to JS Mobility — your go-to source for all things related to the future of transportation. If you haven’t already, be sure to sign up for our newsletter for free by clicking on JS Mobility!
This week, we have a slightly shorter version of our newsletter due to the 4th of July holiday. With an estimated 72.2 million people traveling at least 50 miles or more for the U.S. holiday, whether by car, plane, or train, we want to remind everyone to stay safe out there. Our full newsletter will be back next week.
In an exciting announcement, JS Mobility will soon be transitioning to the Beehiiv publishing platform. This move will bring a host of new features, including polls, to enhance our engagement with you, our readers. It’s a win-win for both of us.
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Now, let’s dive into some recent news and updates from the world of transportation.
A little bird told us that Travis Kalanick, former CEO of Uber, is reportedly working with investors to acquire the U.S. arm of Chinese autonomous vehicle company Pony AI. Eric Meyhofer, a Kalanick ally and Uber ATG veteran, is said to be involved in the deal. Meyhofer’s history with Uber ATG and connections to Kalanick’s ventures make this an intriguing development worth keeping an eye on.
Moving on to notable reads and tidbits, a new term MVAT (minimum viable autonomy theater) was coined recently, highlighting companies’ tendency to showcase minimal autonomous capabilities to perpetuate a narrative of progress. This practice is not exclusive to Tesla but has been observed across the industry as companies strive to demonstrate their automated driving technologies.
In the realm of electric vehicles, the second quarter has ended, bringing sales and production numbers to the forefront. While some automakers provide monthly reports, EV companies like Lucid, Rivian, and Tesla have released their quarterly figures. Additionally, recent legislative changes have impacted EV incentives, with the elimination of EV tax credits and incentives for renewable energy sources.
On the security front, the FBI and cybersecurity firms have issued warnings about the hacking group Scattered Spider targeting airlines and the transportation sector. Qantas, the Australian airline, recently experienced a data breach compromising the personal information of millions of passengers.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights on the future of transportation. Don’t forget to reach out to us with any tips or news at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com, sean.okane@techcrunch.com, or rebecca.bellan@techcrunch.com. You can also reach us via encrypted messaging apps or SecureDrop.
