Uber used a secret spyware program to steal drivers away from an Australian competitor. Their goal was to put that company out of business. LINK
Four sources told Axios that they’d heard Trump express doubts about autonomous vehicles and that Trump sometimes acted out scenes in which the vehicles veered out of control.“I don’t trust some computer to drive me around,” Trump reportedly said. LINK
- REPORT: AAA claims that 71% of U.S. drivers share President Trump’s view. LINK
VIDEO: Democratic presidential candidate Robert Francis O’Rourke AKA Beto is asking Americans to donate $28.53 to fill up his rented Dodge Van as he drives himself to rallies and meet-and-greets across the Rust Belt. Beto insisted to his advisers that he wanted to be himself as he runs for president. And driving appears to be one habit he has no plans of changing. LINK
- FLASHBACK: The American Council on Science and Health pleads with Beto to drive safe and cease from shooting videos while driving. LINK
- FLASHBACK: Beto arrested for drunk driving. The law enforcement reports show there was a crash and that he allegedly attempted to flee. LINK
Chinese-owned Swedish Automaker Volvo to add in-car sensors to prevent drunk & distracted driving. If the car “thinks” the driver is drunk, tired or distracted it could limit the car’s speed, alert the Volvo on Call assistance service, or slow down and park the car. LINK
- FLASHBACK: Volvo will impose a speed limit of about 112 miles per hour (180 km/h) on all of its vehicles beginning in 2020 to reduce fatalities. They are also investigating using geofencing technology that would automatically reduce car speeds around schools and hospitals. LINK
Nationwide plans to roll out on-demand insurance coverage geared for ride-sharing drivers. Drivers can buy insurance for only the times they are working, whether it is a few minutes or a few hours. LINK
Could E-Trikes be the next overnight Micromobility sensation? Gotcha, a bike, scooter & ride-sharing company, is launching a three-wheeled electric -Trike to complement its electric bikes and electric scooters. LINK
Taxi-hailing company Gett, which anticipates becoming profitable later this year, is planning an IPO. It’s considering listing in Israel or on the London Stock Exchange. LINK
REAL ESTATE & MOBILITY
- The Hong Kong public transport is profitable because they develop, own and manage the property above their stations. The MTR makes just as much profit above ground, from property developments, as it does from rail operations, making it one of the most profitable metro operators in the world. And if that wasn’t enough win … they have an almost perfect 99.9% on-time rate. LINK
- REPORT: According to a new study by researchers at Cleveland State University, neighborhoods that gained access to transit saw property values rise by 3.5 percent and poverty rates fall by almost 13 percent after 10 years. Those neighborhoods saw overall employment climb 3.5 percent. LINK
- REPORT: Ridesharing has influenced office rents near Metro stops in Washington DC. According to new research by JLL, the price gap between offices close to metro stops and those further out have narrowed. Rents used to be 5.5% cheaper three blocks or more away from stations, now its 2.7% cheaper. LINK
AUTONOMOUS AIRPORTS
- An autonomous snowplow makes its debut on Canada’s Winnipeg runway LINK
- Autonomous valets are now parking cars in France’s Lyon-Saint-Exupéry airports. These robo-valetscan fit 50 percent more cars into the same area. LINK
VIDEO: NJ man finds ATM machine in barbershop trash. Asks a friend to film him trying to lug it on a bus. NJ Transit retweets the prank before deleting it. LINK
