The Station is a weekly newsletter dedicated to all things transportation. Sign up here — just click The Station — to receive the newsletter every weekend in your inbox. Subscribe for free.
Welcome back to The Station, your central hub for all past, present and future means of moving people and packages from Point A to Point B.
This week, we’ll keep things short due to the Veteran’s Day holiday; don’t worry, we still have plenty for you to catch up on.
But first, one fun thing.
LTA Research, the Sergey Brin-backed startup, took the wraps off its prototype electric airship — the largest aircraft in the world — right in heart of Silicon Valley. As contributor Mark Harris wrote, the airship — its snow-white steampunk profile visible from the busy 101 highway — has taken drone technology such as fly-by-wire controls, electric motors and lidar sensing, and supersized them to something longer than three Boeing 737s, potentially able to carry tons of cargo over many hundreds of miles.
Let’s go!
Want to reach out with a tip, comment or complaint? Email Kirsten at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com
Reminder that you can drop us a note at tips@techcrunch.com. If you prefer to remain anonymous, click here to contact us, which includes SecureDrop (instructions here) and various encrypted messaging apps.
Micromobbin’
Ridepanda, the D2C micromobility marketplace that a couple of Bird, Lime and Scoot alumni launched in 2020, has made a significant business pivot that focuses on enterprise-level business. Now, instead of selling a range of e-bike and e-scooter models from top brands to customers across the country, Ridepanda has become an end-to-end solution for employers — like Amazon and Google — to offer employees commuter benefits.
The key takeaways here are 1) What wasn’t working with D2C; and 2) Why they chose B2B2E. The tl;dr is that getting the supply chain and servicing set up for multiple different brands all over the U.S. was incredibly difficult, and enterprises are doing the most right now to get people back into the office and meet sustainability goals.
Tech continues to seep into micromobility. For instance, Gogoro, the Taiwanese two-wheeler battery-swapping giant, said that its smart electric scooters can now be unlocked and turned on via a key in a rider’s Apple Wallet on their iPhone or Apple Watch. Vehicle owners will also be able to share their scooter key with other iOS users.
— Rebecca Bellan
Deal of the week
Robotaxi companies Cruise and Waymo get the bulk of the attention — and lately, not the good kind. Meanwhile, another autonomous vehicle startup called May Mobility has been operating quietly in the background, which co-founder and CEO Edwin Olson told TechCrunch is by design.
That under-the-radar approach — which is likely helped by its B2B business model — hasn’t prevented it from raising money. May Mobility raised $105 million in a Series D round led by Japan’s telecom giant NTT. Toyota Ventures, BMW i Ventures, Trucks VC and State Farm Ventures also participated in the deal, among other investors. To date, the company’s raised around $300 million.
Other deals that got my attention …
EasyPark Group, a mobile paid parking company, said it intends to acquire Flowbird Group, which operates under brands Flowbird, YourParkingSpace, TPARK, Extenso Cloud, and Yellowbrick. Flowbird offers a number of services such as pay and display machines, software, and “park and charge.”
Flitter, a Paris-based pay-by-mile insurance tech startup, raised €3.5 million ($3.75 million) in seed funding led by Swiss insurer Helvetia. The Frenchfounders fund, former Sarenza CEO Stéphane Treppoz, Optimind founder Christophe Eberlé, Voodoo co-founder Laurent Ritter and Sorare co-founder Adrien Montfort also participated.
Getir, the Turkish instant grocery delivery startup, acquired FreshDirect, an online grocery delivery service based in New York.
Niron Magnetics, a Minnesota-based startup developing rare earth-free permanent magnets, raised $33 million with new investments from GM Ventures and Stellantis Ventures. Previous investors Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and the University of Minnesota also participated. The company plans to use the funds to expand its pilot production facilities and scale manufacturing capacity of its “clean earth magnet.” The CEO told me the company plans to double its 60-person workforce by the end of 2023 and double it again in 2024.
Zeekr, another Geely company, is gearing up for a U.S. IPO.
Notable reads and other tidbits
Autonomous vehicles
Cruise, and its parent company GM, continue to deal with the aftermath of an October 2 incident that left a woman, who was initially hit by a human driver, stuck under and then dragged by a robotaxi. This week alone, the company paused production of its custom-built Origin vehicle, recalled its fleet of 950 vehicle equipped with autonomous vehicle software and laid off contract workers who were responsible for the maintenance and driverless operations. Meanwhile, the California Public Utilities Commission issued an order to halt the implementation of Cruise’s permit to charge for robotaxi rides across San Francisco 24/7 as they consider the city’s request for a redo of the hearing that granted the permit.
Ghost Autonomy said it plans to begin exploring the applications of multimodal large language models (LLMs) — AI models that can understand text as well as images — in self-driving through the OpenAI Startup Fund, which provides early access to OpenAI systems and Azure resources from Microsoft, OpenAI’s close collaborator, plus a $5 million investment. TechCrunch reporter Kyle Wiggers found experts were skeptical and said LLMs are the wrong tool for self driving.
Motional and Uber Eats are teaming up to autonomously deliver food from Shake Shack.
Waymo started winter testing its robotaxis in Buffalo, New York.
Electric vehicles, batteries & charging
Ram introduced the 2025 Ramcharger — an electric truck that gets its EV juice from a gas-powered generator. Based on feedback from some readers, this will be a polarizing vehicle. Some people were incredibly excited and called it the perfect truck; others took offense to the EV branding.
Polestar held its inaugural Polestar Day to showcase its vision for the future: new tech and next-generation vehicles that the Swedish EV company owned by China’s Geely Holdings hopes will spark sales and spur an era of growth. But as contributor Abigail Bassett noted, the event stood in stark contrast to its present.
Earnings
Lucid didn’t have the rosiest of earnings reports. The company revised its 2023 production outlook amid softening demand for luxury electric vehicles. Meanwhile, the company jumped on the Tesla charging standard bandwagon.
Lyft reported 22.4 million active riders in the third quarter, up from 21.5 million in the second quarter and 19.6 million in the first. The growth suggests that its strategy of slashing ride-hail fares to compete with Uber has resulted in slow and steady gains for the company, but competition remains fierce. Get the full Q3 rundown here. The ride-hailing company also said it will introduce a “more affordable sort of higher-end ride” in an attempt to offer ride-hail products that customers actually want, according to CEO.
Rivian continued to close the gap on losses, reduce costs and ramp up production in the third quarter with results that beat Wall Street expectations and suggested a rosier future, including raising its annual production guidance from 52,000 to 54,000 vehicles. The big news: Rivian and Amazon are no longer exclusive. Oh, and Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe also weighed in on subscriptions. Tl;dr: he’s eyeing software upcharges around AR and autonomy, not heated seats.
Uber’s third-quarter earnings show a profitable ride-hail and delivery company that’s chugging along in spite of slowing growth in some sectors.
Future of flight
Archer Aviation partnered with India’s travel and hospitality conglomerate InterGlobe Enterprises to launch an all-electric air taxi service in the country in 2026.
Skyryse, the aviation software startup, completed a fully autorotation emergency landing procedure in a helicopter. The milestone puts the company on the path to unveil the first production helicopter featuring it technology in the first quarter of next year.
Cruise spirals and LTA’s airship breaks cover in Silicon Valley
- Advertisment - 
Recent Comments
on Boise State vs. Nevada live stream, odds, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on Boise State vs. Air Force live stream, odds, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on Big Tech companies will cover travel expenses for employees’ medical procedures, including abortion
on Biden: ‘At this point I’m not’ planning to visit East Palestine, Ohio, after toxic train derailment
on Best places to travel in 2023: National Geographic unveils list of top 25 destinations for next year
on Ask Amy: Should I keep my RSVP simple and just gracefully decline or say I can’t afford the trip?
on As more abortion bans occur, many patients must travel hundreds of miles for care – or be stranded
on Air Force vs. Utah State live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer
on A missile fired by Houthis strikes a US-owned vessel off Yemen in the Gulf of Aden, raising tensions
on A heavy wave of Russian missile attacks pounds areas across Ukraine, killing at least 4 civilians
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on $12M Worth Dawn Staley Sports Pricey Jordans While Witnessing Joel Embiid’s Suffering Against Knicks
on Dozens of boats cruise the Seine in a rehearsal for the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony on July 26
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on If you’re a frequent traveler, these wrap tops from Aday will revolutionize your on-the-go wardrobe
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on Sports World Hails ‘Superwoman’ Lindsey Vonn for Her Grand Comeback Despite Career-Changing Injury
on How Does Jack Nicklaus Travel? Exploring the Private Jets Owned by the ‘Golden Bear’ Over the Years
on College basketball rankings: Kansas helps Big 12 lead conference race for most Top 100 And 1 players
on A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer
on Lamar Jackson: NFC side tipped to be ‘overwhelming’ Super Bowl favourites if they signed Ravens QB
on ICC T20 World Cup 2022: “Love Cricket At All Levels, I’ll Watch Any Cricket, And Love Going There”
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on Joe Manchin and Tommy Tuberville introduce bill on name, image and likeness rules for college sports
on San Mateo County Community College District sues five companies over role in ‘pay to play’ scandal
on If you’re a frequent traveler, these wrap tops from Aday will revolutionize your on-the-go wardrobe
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on Biden to tout bill’s prescription drug prices, energy provisions in pitch to Americans, aide says
on Following Exchange With Caitlin Clark At News Conference, Columnist Won’t Cover Indiana Fever Games
on Inside Out Mini Jawbreaker Puzzle Game from Disney Cruise Line Now Available at Walt Disney World
on Katherine Paprocka allegedly embezzled nearly $600k from school for family vacations, IVF treatment
on Johnny Knoxville Talks Jackass Stunts And How They Compare To Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible Work
on Napoli owner admits he ‘knew’ Victor Osimhen would end up at ‘Real Madrid, PSG or one English club’
on Camilla Parker Bowles Revealed the ‘Nicest Thing’ She and Prince Charles Do When They Travel Is Free
on Russian cruise and ballistic missiles kill 4 in Ukraine and Ukrainian rockets kill 2 in Russian city
on Can Tom Cruise Save The Box Office Again With Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning? An Investigation
on Boise State vs. Air Force live stream, odds, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on College basketball rankings: Kansas helps Big 12 lead conference race for most Top 100 And 1 players
on Inside Floyd Mayweather’s Lavish Lifestyle: A Look at His Stunning Car Collection and Private Jet
on Cruise guest gets stuck on ‘claustrophobic’ water slide suspended over ocean: ‘That is super scary’
on David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Big Tech companies will cover travel expenses for employees’ medical procedures, including abortion
on Russian cruise and ballistic missiles kill 4 in Ukraine and Ukrainian rockets kill 2 in Russian city
on A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer
on GameFly Sale Offering Nintendo Switch Sports at a Mind-Blowing Price, Don’t Miss the Opportunity!
on Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on San Mateo County Community College District sues five companies over role in ‘pay to play’ scandal
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on The Rev. Al Sharpton to lead protest after Florida governor’s ban of African American studies course
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on Saipan, placid island setting for Assange’s last battle, is briefly mobbed – and bemused by the fuss
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on Iowa State starting RB Jirehl Brock among latest college football players charged in gambling probe
on Biden to tout bill’s prescription drug prices, energy provisions in pitch to Americans, aide says
on Iowa State starting RB Jirehl Brock among latest college football players charged in gambling probe
on The Rev. Al Sharpton to lead protest after Florida governor’s ban of African American studies course
on Sports World Hails ‘Superwoman’ Lindsey Vonn for Her Grand Comeback Despite Career-Changing Injury
on San Mateo County Community College District sues five companies over role in ‘pay to play’ scandal
on Saipan, placid island setting for Assange’s last battle, is briefly mobbed – and bemused by the fuss
on ‘Pokémon Scarlet’ and ‘Violet’ Fan Theories Suggest Legendary Time Travel, Alternate Dimension Plot
on Joe Manchin and Tommy Tuberville introduce bill on name, image and likeness rules for college sports
on Inside the Michael Jordan ‘Air’ movie, plus why NFL, others are buying into the sports film industry
on If you’re a frequent traveler, these wrap tops from Aday will revolutionize your on-the-go wardrobe
on How Does Jack Nicklaus Travel? Exploring the Private Jets Owned by the ‘Golden Bear’ Over the Years
on Hollywood Reporter: Tom Cruise negotiated with movie studios over AI before the actors strike began
on Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on Dozens of boats cruise the Seine in a rehearsal for the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony on July 26
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Boise State vs. Air Force live stream, odds, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on Biden to tout bill’s prescription drug prices, energy provisions in pitch to Americans, aide says
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Carlos Sainz’s Soccer Fanboy Emerges as Spaniard Shares Defining Moment With This Real Madrid Legend
on Biden: ‘At this point I’m not’ planning to visit East Palestine, Ohio, after toxic train derailment
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on Ahead of big sports weekend, dispute with Disney leaves millions of cable subscribers in the dark
on A heavy wave of Russian missile attacks pounds areas across Ukraine, killing at least 4 civilians
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on Army vs. Coastal Carolina live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on AL Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez Spreads Joy and Sportsmanship to the Youth of Loma de Cabrera
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on Dubai International Airport sees 41.6 million passengers in first half of year, more than in 2019
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on Dave Portnoy: Taylor Swift’s security should ‘drag Kim Kardashian to jail’ if she attends Eras Tour
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports, Serie A announce new TV rights deal; Paramount+ to air over 400 Italian soccer matches
on Cam Newton’s Violent Public Incident Draws Hilarious Reaction From 3x All-Star: “Where Do I Sign Up
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Angel Reese Launches Foundation Dedicated To Empowering Women Through Sports & Financial Literacy
on A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer