Pilot program offers Uber, Lyft riders massages, immersive media
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January 28, 2021 01:11 PM

Pilot program offers Uber, Lyft riders massages, immersive media

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    Pilot program offers Uber, Lyft riders massages, immersive media

    Massage screen

    Picture this: Riders hop into an Uber or other ride-hailing vehicle and immediately feel the relief of a massage or enjoy personalized entertainment. It might sound more futuristic than realistic, but that's exactly what one startup is looking to do.

    Personalized passenger experience company Ivee is bringing its technology to ride-hailing vehicles as part of a pilot program to offer passengers massages and "immersive entertainment" options. Ivee is working in partnership with supplier Brose.

    The ride-hailing program is part of Ivee's vision to familiarize riders with the look and feel of features that could eventually be common inside autonomous vehicles.

    "We want passengers to get a glimpse of what they can expect in self-driving vehicles," Ivee CEO Alex Giannikoulis said in a statement. "We believe passengers will reconsider the vehicles they choose and how they'll use their time on the go."

    The pilot program is available in some Uber and Lyft vehicles in Miami.

    Drivers are paid to use it based on passenger usage and satisfaction. It's one way Ivee is exploring a "hardware as a service" business model.

    Drivers approved for the pilot can self-install the Ivee Inside infotainment screen, along with Brose's Responsive Seat, which is a back cushion that provides a vibrating massage and is equipped with speakers and haptic feedback capability so that it pulsates with the media that's playing.

    The passenger can enable the features by tapping on the Ivee display or speaking to it.

    The technology was built as an aftermarket product for which Ivee and Brose did the software and hardware integration.

    "Ivee web- and voice-enabled the Responsive Seat so we can change the duration, intensity, type, and price of the experience per passenger, per location" and more, Giannikoulis said in a statement to Automotive News. "Imagine saying, 'Hey Ivee start massage' in your next ride-hail vehicle leaving the airport. Also, this Responsive Seat requires no physical switches in the vehicle – which means less cost, damage, design compromises."

    The flexible interiors of robotaxis and self-driving shuttles could allow for riders to have more tailored experiences including personalized lighting, infotainment, seating configurations and even health and wellness features.

    -- Alexa St. John

    MOUNTAIN VIEW FIRE DEPARTMENT

    Crashes involving electric vehicles, such as that of a Tesla Model X in California in 2018, pose battery-fire concerns for first responders.

    What you need to know

    NTSB says automakers need to better prepare emergency responders As electric vehicles proliferate, safety advocates and crash investigators are increasingly concerned about the risks lithium ion batteries pose to emergency responders. In a report issued this month, the National Transportation Safety Board found vehicle manufacturers have given firefighters and other responders insufficient guidance on how to counter high-voltage battery fires and dissipate stranded energy, which can remain in batteries damaged in crashes and result in post-crash fires days or weeks later.

    Cadillac dealers to begin EV prep next month Cadillac dealers will begin preparing their facilities for electric vehicles as early as next month, about a year before the Lyriq hits the market, the brand said in a letter to dealers Wednesday. Cadillac is working with ABM, a company specializing in electrification, to assess the upgrades and costs necessary for each dealer to sell and service EVs.

    China's AutoX opens driverless rides to the public Nearly two months after announcing it had put driverless robotaxis on the streets of downtown Shenzhen, Chinese autonomous vehicle company AutoX is making rides available to the public. According to the company, this marks the first time in China that the general public can book a robotaxi without a safety driver on board. AutoX released a demonstration video of its driverless Chrysler Pacifica minivan on Thursday.

    Shift Podcast: Motional’s Laura Major on the company’s ambitious AV strategy (Episode 81)

     

    Laura Major, chief technology officer of the Hyundai-Aptiv joint venture, talks about the company’s recent driverless permit approval in Nevada, its newly released voluntary safety self-assessment and its plans to deploy a robotaxi with Lyft in 2023.

    Listen to the Podcast >
     

    Roundup

    Aeva to supply lidar sensors for TuSimple's self-driving trucks.

    Electric vehicle startup Faraday Future has agreed to go public through a merger with special-purpose acquisition company Property Solutions Acquisition Corp.

    Tesla Inc. is gearing up to launch the first redesign of the Model S sport hatchback since the vehicle went on sale in 2012.

    Ford's Spin partners with Tortoise to launch e-scooters with remote operation capabilities.

    Lime plans to add moped-sharing to scooter, bike services.

    Baidu gets California nod to test driverless cars.

    Bosch links electronics, software for industry shift.

    General Motors, Cadillac to showcase EV power during Super Bowl LV.

    Charging network EVgo near merger to go public, report says.

    Biden's pick for energy secretary defends green push in confirmation hearing. Meanwhile, Biden has vowed to replace government fleet with EVs.

    GM partners with Navistar to power fuel cell semitrucks.

    Nissan says all new models in key markets to be electrified by early 2030s.

    Hummer-inspired SUV to compete in EV off-road racing.

    GM to get 'cockpit' chips for next-generation vehicles from Qualcomm.

    Veoneer, Qualcomm complete deal to develop driver-assistance technology.

    Brain food

    Will Anthony Levandowski's pardon mean progress?

    The Toyota C+Pod’s interior has a stripped-down, minimalistic feel, with big knobs and buttons.

    Last mile

    EV design for Japan's tight turns

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