Tag Archives: City Transportation

Automobiles, Cities, Design, Technology, Transportation

The Future Of Driving: Michigan To Build USA’s First “Autonomous Vehicle Corridor”

August 14, 2020 She Seeks Serene Leave a comment

The Detroit News (Aug 13, 2020)— Michigan is angling to build a first-in-the-nation connected and autonomous vehicle corridor in the state’s southeast corner, the latest bid to ensure the region remains the epicenter of an auto industry moving rapidly into a technology-driven future.

Local and state government officials, members of Michigan’s congressional delegation, Ford Motor Co. executives and project developer Cavnue confirmed plans Thursday for a roadway that would stretch from downtown Detroit to Ann Arbor. Along the way, it would connect to such key milestones as the American Center for Mobility in Ypsilanti, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and would parallel parts of Interstate 94 to Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

The roadway would be publicly accessible and could feature both public transit and shared mobility options. It will be called the “Michigan Connected Corridor,” officials confirmed, sharpening a vision Ford shared when it acquired the historic train station two years ago.

News, Technology, Transportation

Future Of City Travel: “Volocopter” Secures Financing For Launch Of Air Taxi In Three Years

September 13, 2019 She Seeks Serene Leave a comment

From a Volocopter.com online release:

Volocopter builds electrically powered air taxis to get people safely and directly to their destination. The aim is to save people time and to help megacities transform their transportation systems towards a more sustainable future by adding a new mobility option for their citizens. Since its foundation in 2011, the company has built three generations of Volocopter aircraft, two of which received licenses for manned and unmanned flight with a total funding of EUR 35 million. The company has performed numerous public demonstrations of the viability of electrically powered vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL), most recently it successfully completed a flight at Helsinki International Airport.

Bruchsal/Frankfurt, 09. September 2019 – Today, Volocopter, the Urban Air Mobility pioneer, announced that it signed the first closing of its Series C funding round, which is being led by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely Holding). The new funds will be used towards bringing the VoloCity aircraft to commercial launch within the next three years. Volocopter remains in discussions with additional investors for a second closing around year-end. The first closing will increase the total capital that Volocopter has raised to EUR 85 million.

Reviews, Transportation

Future Of City Mobility: Revel Electric Mopeds Offer App-Based Utility And Affordability

September 7, 2019 She Seeks Serene Leave a comment

From CityLab.com online article:

Compared to the toylike, rule-flouting, sidewalk-cluttering kick-scooters, proper motor scooters also promise to be a more regulated—and officially legitimized—form of urban transportation. “It rides and parks in the street and flows through traffic, completely off sidewalks,” says Frank Reig, CEO of Revel. “You’re part of the traffic lane and have a license plate.”

To get started, the company requires a scan of your license, accompanied by an in-app selfie, to go through a $19 background check approval. What you don’t need is a motorcycle license, or any prior experience piloting these kinds of vehicles. And that could prove to be a challenge for some.

The electric mopeds that Revel uses in D.C. are made by the Chinese company NIU; they sell about $3,000 to $5,000 if you want your own, and they are similar in price and capabilities to their gas-powered Vespa cousins. They have a range of about 60 miles and can go about 30 miles per hour—fast enough to keep up with traffic in the city.

Technology, Transportation

Future Trends: Audi Introduces New E-Scooter Skateboard Concept For “Light Mobility City Exploration”

August 11, 2019 She Seeks Serene Leave a comment

From an Audi Media Center news release:

With a new e-scooter concept, Audi is responding to the urban trend towards multi-modal mobility. The Audi e-tronScooter, combining the advantages of the electric scooter and the skateboard, is designed for sporty riders. To be transported by car, bus or train, the twelve-kilogram (26-pound) e-scooter can be folded up and conveniently stored in the back of the car, or if preferred pulled like a trolley. Above all, the Audi e-tron Scooter stands out thanks to its handling, which is like surfing waves. The rider has one hand free, and so is able to look around and give hand signals. Production and sales are planned for late 2020.

“With the Audi e-tron Scooter, we appeal to customers who are on the move in cities, sustainably and multi-modally – and for whom style and functionality are important,” says Thorsten Schrader, project manager for micro-mobility at Audi. Although riders keep one hand on the handlebar, they control the scooter like a skateboard with their feet by shifting their weight. The movable axles with four wheels allow unusually tight curves. “Of course the e-tron Scooter also moves straight ahead. But the feeling of flow only comes when you start carving on asphalt – and that is surprisingly easy with our new concept.”

To read more click on the following link: https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/press-releases/audi-combines-e-scooter-with-skateboard-11957