Technology
Commercial freight transportation businesses rely on data, intelligence, and novel solutions for operational efficiency. Transport Topics technology coverage investigates available technologies, real-world applications of business solutions, and the strategies necessary for advancement. News topics focus on the latest applied science, and issues range from autonomous vehicle and robotics innovations to management software, tracking and transparency, data analytics, blockchain, and the internet of things.
FourKites Receives $50 Million in New Funding From Investors
Shipment-tracking company FourKites has collected $50 million in funding from a group of existing investors that includes August Capital, Bain Capital Ventures, CEAS Investments and Hyde Park Angels.
February 6, 2019Tesla Cuts Model 3 Price for Second Time This Year
Tesla Inc. is cutting the price of its Model 3 sedan for the second time this year, citing the end of a customer-referral program that was a more costly incentive than the company realized.
With ELD Rollout in Rearview Mirror, Focus Turns to Fleet Management
The telematics-for-trucking market experienced a dramatic explosion in growth over the past three years, driven primarily by the federally mandated rollout of electronic logging devices across most of the longhaul trucking sector. Now that the industry has made that transition to electronic logs, the telematics market is bound to undergo a shakeout because there are more ELD suppliers than the industry needs.
N.Y. Mayor Says Amazon Will Prevail as City Needs Tech
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said he thinks Amazon.com will prevail in building its huge new campus in the city — despite an opponent being recommended to serve on a board with veto power over the transaction.
FitzMark Acquires Reliable Source Logistics
Two Indianapolis-based freight brokerage firms, FitzMark Inc. and Reliable Source Logistics, are joining forces in a quest to build a global “logistics powerhouse,” company officials said.
Waymo Linked to AV Deal With Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance
Waymo is in advanced talks with Renault SA, Nissan Motor Co. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. to develop autonomous cars, according to sources familiar with the matter, in a move that would join a leading self-driving force with the world’s largest automotive alliance.
DHL Express Launches New Fleet of Electric Delivery Vans in San Francisco
DHL Express is rolling out a new fleet of 63 electric delivery vans in the United States as part of the German company’s goal to reduce logistics-related emissions to zero by 2050.
February 5, 2019GM’s Diesel Pickups Pave Way to Electric Future
The vehicles that will secure the next decade for General Motors Co. aren’t covered in self-driving sensors or loaded with batteries. No, the future depends on hulking pickup trucks that often run on diesel and cost more than the average BMW.
Next Secures $97 Million in Series C Round of Funding
Next, a company that uses smart matching and predictive load technologies to connect shippers and carriers, announced it has secured $97 million in its Series C round of funding. The company will use the funds in part to launch Relay, a service to address congestion at shipping ports.
February 5, 2019Standardizing Collision Avoidance Systems Is One of NTSB’s Most Wanted Safety Improvements
WASHINGTON — Automobile and truck manufacturers should develop a standard practice of installing collision avoidance technology in their vehicles, according to the National Transportation Safety Board, which named the system as one of its 10 Most Wanted Transportation Safety Improvements.