The Station: Aurora Space, VanMoof X3 & Outdoorsy Founders

The Station: Your Weekly Transportation Update

The Station is a newsletter focused on the world of transportation, delivered to your inbox every weekend. Subscribe here — simply click The Station — to receive the latest updates.

Welcome to The Station, your go-to source for information regarding the evolution of how people and goods are transported. We cover everything from historical advancements to current trends and future innovations.

Founders Interview: Outdoorsy

Prior to diving into recent industry news, funding announcements, and micromobility developments, I’d like to highlight our newest founders interview. This series debuted this spring on Extra Crunch.

The initial concept, a search for an alternative to existing options, ultimately led to the creation of Outdoorsy, a platform for peer-to-peer RV and camper rentals.

This conversation with Jeff Cavins and Jon Young explores the origins of Outdoorsy, the refinements made to their business model over time, and their future plans. A unique aspect of this series involves revisiting these founders one year after the initial interview publication.

We encourage you to read and enjoy the interview!

Stay Connected

Your feedback is always welcome. Feel free to reach out via email at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com with your thoughts, critiques, or suggestions. You can also connect with me directly on Twitter — @kirstenkorosec.

Micromobility Updates

Recent discussions surrounding the parallels between post-Spanish Flu societal shifts and the current era highlight a notable trend: the increasing popularity of electric micromobility devices. This rise coincides with a growing concern – the potential for impaired operation of these vehicles.

Bird has introduced “Safe Start,” an in-app feature intended to deter riders from using their scooters while under the influence. Activated between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., the system prompts users to enter a keyword, hoping the process itself will encourage self-assessment and responsible decision-making.

Lime has employed a comparable system for the past two years, also initiating after 10 p.m. Riders are asked to confirm their sobriety by typing “Y-E-S” in response to a direct question. An alternative phrasing, such as a simple inquiry about intoxication, has been considered.

A representative from Lime indicated the company is developing a more sophisticated cognitive assessment. Furthermore, undisclosed advancements are in progress, potentially involving the detection of unstable riding patterns, a concept previously explored by the company.

Spin is also preparing to launch a similar feature, though it will be more complex than the current offerings from Bird and Lime.

Spin’s upcoming system will incorporate a reaction time test, predicated on the understanding that higher blood alcohol levels correlate with diminished reflexes. Implementation will be tailored to specific hours identified as high-risk in collaboration with local authorities, offering alternative transportation options for those who fail the test.

Additional Applications of E-Scooters

Fenix, a micromobility operator based in Abu Dhabi, is pioneering a 10-minute fresh grocery delivery service on Reem Island, a technologically advanced urban development. The company aims to leverage its existing infrastructure – vehicles, charging stations, and personnel – to expand its business model.

This approach could prove to be a logistical advantage, particularly if fleet management, deliveries, and ridesharing software are seamlessly integrated. Fenix will establish “dark stores” – private convenience stores also serving as battery charging hubs – strategically located throughout the island to ensure rapid delivery to customers.

While the feasibility of consistently meeting the 10-minute delivery timeframe remains uncertain, and concerns exist regarding worker well-being, the concept represents an innovative business strategy.

Recent Industry Developments

Zipp Mobility, an Irish micromobility company, is expanding beyond Ireland, initiating operations in Katowice, Poland. The company intends to extend its reach to neighboring cities, Sosnowiec and Dabrowa Gornicza, by the end of August.

Veo is also pursuing expansion, having secured $16 million in Series A funding. These funds will be allocated to fleet expansion in cities such as Santa Monica, San Diego, and New York, as well as the development of new vehicle designs for diverse applications.

In New York City, Revel has partnered with GridRewards, a developer of “virtual power plant” software. This collaboration aims to optimize energy consumption by charging Revel’s e-moped fleet during periods of low demand and reduced costs, thereby mitigating strain on the city’s power grid.

Revel is also collaborating with FlixBus, offering reciprocal discounts to customers. Passengers booking FlixBus travel between Washington D.C. and New York City will receive a $5 credit for use with Revel’s e-mopeds.

Finally, Blix, an electric bike startup located in Santa Cruz, has announced upgrades to its models, including enhanced performance, increased power and range, improved braking systems, wider tires, and a broader selection of colors.

— Rebecca Bellan

Weekly Highlights in Automotive and Tech Investment

Significant activity in the automotive and technology sectors this week centers around Aurora Innovation’s transition to a public entity. This is being achieved through a merger with Reinvent Technology Partners Y, a special purpose acquisition company founded by prominent investors like Reid Hoffman and Mark Pincus.

This announcement follows earlier reports indicating the companies were nearing a definitive agreement.

Upon completion of the transaction, the newly formed company will trade on the Nasdaq exchange under the ticker AUR, with an estimated valuation of $13 billion. Previously, Aurora was valued at $10 billion after acquiring Uber’s self-driving technology division.

The deal provides Aurora with $1 billion in capital from a consortium of investors. These include Baillie Gifford, Counterpoint Global, T. Rowe Price, PRIMECAP Management Company, Reinvent Capital, XN, Fidelity, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, Index Ventures, Sequoia Capital, and strategic investments from Uber, PACCAR, and Volvo Group.

Aurora anticipates generating revenue from autonomous trucking operations beginning in late 2023. Revenue from autonomous passenger vehicles is projected to commence in late 2024, as outlined in recent regulatory filings. Initially, Aurora will own and operate the deployed vehicles, transitioning to a “Driver as a Service” (DaaS) model in the future.

Other noteworthy investment activity this week includes…

Bookaway, a travel technology company, secured $46 million in funding. Investors participating in this round were Aleph, Corner Ventures, and Entrée Capital.

Carmera, a New York-based HD mapping startup, has been acquired by Woven Planet Holdings. This acquisition occurs shortly after Woven Planet Holdings—Toyota’s entity focused on future transportation technologies—acquired Lyft’s Level 5 autonomous vehicle unit for $550 million.

As part of the agreement, Carmera will operate as a subsidiary of Woven Planet. The company will function as the U.S. hub for Woven Planet’s automated mapping platform (AMP) team, which is based in Tokyo. Carmera’s CEO, Ro Gupta, will report to Mandali Khalesi, head of AMP.

Carmera’s team of 50 employees will maintain its presence in New York and Seattle. They will eventually be integrated into Woven Planet’s expanding organization, which currently employs over 1,000 people.

Colis Privé, a French parcel delivery service, has delayed its initial public offering. This postponement is attributed to unfavorable conditions in the financial markets, as reported by Reuters.

Delhivery received a $100 million investment from FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx. This investment follows a recent $277 million funding round secured by the Indian startup, which is currently valued at $3 billion, in preparation for a forthcoming IPO.

Heart Aerospace, a Swedish electric aviation company, raised $35 million in a Series A funding round. The round was led by Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures, United Airlines’ venture arm, and Mesa Air Group. Existing investors EQT Ventures and Lowercarbon Capital also contributed. United and Mesa have also placed an order for 200 of Heart Aerospace’s ES-19 electric aircraft.

LG Chem is investing $5.2 billion over the next four years to expand its battery materials business. This investment is driven by the growing demand for batteries as the automotive industry transitions away from internal combustion engines.

Lineage Logistics, a temperature-controlled logistics provider, has formed a strategic alliance with venture capital firm 8VC. The partnership will focus on investing in and advancing technology within the transportation and logistics sector. The companies have previously co-invested in companies like Project44, Trackonomy, and Baton.

Netradyne, a company specializing in commercial driver safety solutions using cameras and edge computing, secured $150 million in Series C funding. The round was led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2, with participation from Point72 Ventures and M12, bringing the total funding to over $197 million.

Shopmonkey, a cloud-based shop management software provider for the auto repair industry, raised $75 million in a Series C round. The round was led by Bessemer Venture Partners and Index Ventures, with participation from Headline, I2BF, and ICONIQ Growth. This funding follows a $25 million Series B round announced less than a year ago.

NoTraffic, an Israeli startup developing an AI-powered traffic management platform, raised $17.5 million in a Series A round. The funds will be used to accelerate the company’s expansion, with plans to deploy its technology in numerous U.S. cities and eventually expand into European and Asian markets.

The Series A round was led by Nielsen Ventures and VEKTOR Partners. Grove Ventures, Menora Mivtachim Group, Meitav Dash, lool ventures, Next Gear Ventures, and North First Ventures also participated. Lior Handelsman, a founder of Solar Edge, will join NoTraffic’s board of directors.

VanMoof X3 E-Bike: A Comprehensive Review

This week saw the publication of a detailed review of the VanMoof X3 e-bike, penned by Taylor Hatmaker following extensive testing. Her experience led to the observation that, “an e-bike was something I didn’t realize I needed until experiencing the freedom of riding one down a bike lane.”

Hatmaker’s assessment covers multiple facets of the X3, including its underlying technology, aesthetic design, overall value, and how it performs during a ride.

Key Areas of Evaluation

• The review offers an in-depth look at the bike’s technical specifications.
• Its visual appeal and design elements are thoroughly examined.
• Hatmaker analyzes whether the X3 delivers a worthwhile experience for its price point.
• Ride quality and handling are assessed to provide a complete picture.
• Additional features are also considered in the evaluation.

Readers interested in a comprehensive understanding of the VanMoof X3 are encouraged to read the full review.

We anticipate expanding our coverage of e-bike reviews in the coming months, so please check back for future updates.

Policy Updates

Welcome to this edition of Policy Updates! The European Commission has unveiled its comprehensive strategy for achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. As anticipated, the plan incorporates a proposed prohibition on the sale of new vehicles powered by internal combustion engines starting in 2035.

Last week, this column explored the possibility of mandates concerning EV chargers and supporting infrastructure for transportation electrification. It is encouraging to note that the proposal addresses this need. While not a strict mandate, it calls for EU member states to establish public charging stations every 60 kilometers (37.3 miles) along major roadways by 2025, and hydrogen refueling stations every 150 kilometers (93.2 miles).

The long-term objectives include the installation of 3.5 million additional EV charging stations by 2030, increasing to 16.3 million by 2050. These initiatives are intended to alleviate range anxiety, a frequently cited deterrent to EV adoption.

However, the proposal is not yet finalized. Approval from all 27 EU member states is required for it to become law. France, with its significant automotive industry – including manufacturers like Stellantis and Renault – is reportedly contesting the proposed terms. This could lead to protracted negotiations regarding specific timelines and emissions reduction goals.

The question arises as to whether a technology ban represents the most effective approach to achieving a desired outcome, in this instance, reduced carbon emissions. This can be viewed as a restrictive measure. Attention will be given to the incentives – the “honey” – that legislators will offer to both consumers and automakers, aiming to minimize job losses and maximize EV purchases.

An insightful perspective comes from Christian Brand, an associate professor at Oxford University’s Transport Studies Unit. He suggests that an exclusive focus on EVs may not be the quickest route to zero emissions. He highlights that a substantial portion – up to 50% – of car journeys are under five kilometers (3.11 miles), advocating for urban investments in micromobility infrastructure to encourage alternative transportation methods.

Aviation and Carbon Credits

Turning to carbon emissions in another sector, a new collaboration has formed between eVTOL developer Joby Aviation, airline JetBlue Airways, and Signature Flight Support. The aim is to create a novel system for carbon credits within the aviation industry.

Currently, a clear mechanism does not exist for companies like JetBlue to acquire carbon credits from emerging green aviation ventures, largely due to their recent emergence.

The partnership will “define the framework for the creation, validation and eventual use of these new credits on aviation carbon markets, including identifying a third party to oversee and validate transactions,” according to a press statement. Further details are expected later this year.

This development holds significant potential for Joby Aviation. Tesla, for example, generated $518 million in revenue during the first quarter of 2021 solely from selling regulatory credits to other automotive manufacturers.

— Aria Alamalhodaei

Recent Developments and Industry Updates

Here's a summary of key events and noteworthy news from the past week.

Automated Driving Systems

A collaborative effort has been initiated by Audi, BMW, Denso, and NXP to establish a standardized, secure architecture for automated driving systems in self-driving vehicles. This international working group, formed last month, is led by The Autonomous. Further details regarding this cross-industry partnership will be available at The Autonomous Main Event on September 29, 2021.

Volkswagen has unveiled a comprehensive strategy focused on accelerating development in software, mobility services, and battery technology to maintain a competitive edge in the evolving automotive landscape. CEO Herbert Diess emphasized that this plan encompasses all aspects of the business, from manufacturing processes to revenue generation.

Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

Electrify America, established by Volkswagen following its emissions scandal settlement, announced plans to double its network of electric vehicle fast charging stations across the United States and Canada by the end of 2025. Successful implementation of this initiative will result in the installation and operation of 1,800 fast charging stations, comprising 10,000 individual chargers.

GM, alongside its EV division BrightDrop, is introducing a fleet-charging service designed to support the company’s growing investment in connected and electric commercial vehicles. The Ultium Charge 360 fleet charging service provides a suite of tools tailored for businesses operating delivery, sales, or motor pool fleets, and also incorporates solutions for driver home charging.

Rivian has announced a further delay in the delivery schedule for its highly anticipated R1T electric pickup truck and R1S SUV. This postponement is attributed to production challenges stemming from the ongoing global semiconductor chip shortage and broader disruptions caused by the pandemic, as communicated in a letter to customers from CEO RJ Scaringe. R1T deliveries are now expected to commence in September, with R1S deliveries to follow shortly thereafter.

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration has issued a safety advisory, urging owners of Chevrolet Bolt vehicles manufactured between 2017 and 2019 to park their cars outdoors, away from residential structures, due to a potential fire risk. This recommendation pertains to the same vehicles subject to a recall in November 2020, concerning the possibility of battery-related fires beneath the rear seats. The recall impacted 50,932 Chevy Bolt vehicles from those model years.

Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL)

Mark Moore, formerly the Director of Engineering at Uber Elevate before its acquisition by Joby Aviation, has founded a new company, Whisper Aero. This startup is dedicated to developing an electric thruster technology intended to minimize the audible noise produced by delivery drones and eVTOL aircraft, effectively blending it into ambient sound levels.

Advanced In-Car Technologies

Tesla has introduced a monthly subscription option for its Full Self-Driving capability, priced at $199 per month. A reduced rate of $99 per month is available to customers who previously purchased the discontinued Enhanced Autopilot package, as detailed on the company’s website.