New York City launches first microhub for deliveries

Editorial staff
New York City launches first microhub for deliveries

New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DoT) has launched the first of the city’s microhubs for deliveries on the Upper West Side. They will provide a dedicated space to shift deliveries from trucks to safer and more sustainable forms of transportation. Amazon, Net Zero Logistics and UPS are among the participating logistics companies. Microhubs are central locations where delivery trucks can unload cargo and transfer it to smaller, safer, and more sustainable forms of transportation for the final delivery, including cargo bikes and handcarts. NYC DoT reports that one…

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Dubai launches unified digital channels for government services

Editorial staff
Dubai launches unified digital channels for government services

Dubai has launched the shared digital channels initiative as it seeks to move towards a unified, user-centric digital government model where all services are digitalised. The initiative, led by Digital Dubai and conducted in collaboration with various government entities, aims to simplify access to services for residents, businesses and visitors through seamless, integrated platforms. The initiative envisions the provision of government services through seven specialised and unified platforms: Dubai Now for individuals; Invest in Dubai for businesses; Visit Dubai for tourism; alongside four sector-specific platforms covering transportation, justice, construction, and…

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Collaboration aims to scale autonomous vehicle development

Editorial staff
Collaboration aims to scale autonomous vehicle development

Autonomous vehicle software company Oxa and Bradshaw EV, a manufacturer and supplier of specialist industrial electric vehicles, are joining forces to deliver scalable autonomous vehicle solutions for a range of applications. The aim is to create autonomous vehicles that are designed to tackle the pressing challenges faced by organisations today, including labour shortages, rising operational costs, and the need for increased efficiency and safety within industrial environments. Enabled by Oxa’s Reference Autonomy Designs (RADs), each vehicle platform is configured with autonomy hardware and Oxa’s software, and is ready to deploy…

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Air taxi provider chosen for LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games

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Air taxi provider chosen for LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Archer Aviation has been selected as the Official Air Taxi Provider of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Team USA. An exclusive partnership will see Archer’s eVTol aircraft integrated across the LA28 Games in a variety of ways, such as transporting VIPs, fans, and stakeholders. It will also electrify vertiport take-off-and-landing hubs for key venues and provide support for emergency services and security. Archer and LA28 will introduce the company’s Midnight eVTol aircraft to Los Angeles, which is expected to host over 15 million visitors and broadcast to billions…

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UAE boosts sustainable port operations with electric pilot boat

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UAE boosts sustainable port operations with electric pilot boat

Noatum Maritime, part of AD Ports Group’s Maritime & Shipping Cluster, has signed an agreement with Artemis Technologies to purchase a 100 per cent electric Artemis EF-12 Pilot boat to operate in the United Arab Emirates. The vessel supports the UN’s Sustainable Development goals and United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) Net Zero by 2050 programme. Equipped with the latest battery technology, the vessel offers zero-emission propulsion. It has a top speed of up to 30 knots and a cruising speed of 25 knots. Leveraging Artemis Technologies’ eFoiler technology, the vessel represents…

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UK air taxi partnership announced by Joby and Virgin Atlantic

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UK air taxi partnership announced by Joby and Virgin Atlantic

Airline company Virgin Atlantic has announced a partnership with California-based electric air taxi company Joby Aviation to launch an air taxi service in the UK. The partnership aims to offer seamless, zero-emission, short-range journeys across the UK, starting with regional and city connections from Virgin Atlantic’s hubs at Heathrow and Manchester Airport. The partnership builds on an existing agreement between Joby and Delta Air Lines – which owns a 49 per cent stake in Virgin Atlantic – to launch service in the US and UK. Electric air taxis Virgin Atlantic…

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AI-powered Urban Metaverse to ‘revolutionise’ how smart cities operate

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AI-powered Urban Metaverse to ‘revolutionise’ how smart cities operate

The US 5G-connected city Peachtree Corners in Georgia is collaborating with BizzTech, a provider of immersive, AI‑driven Metaverse platforms, to develop a data-driven solution that will redefine urban planning around local city challenges. The partners will deploy a photorealistic digital twin of the downtown that they anticipate will accelerate data‑driven decision‑making, boost public safety and cut planning costs. The collaboration combines live sensor feeds, traffic analytics, weather data and AI to create an always‑on, interactive replica of the City of Peachtree Corners’ downtown. Photorealistic ecosystems With the ability to turn…

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Bentley and Google partner to improve asset analytics

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Bentley and Google partner to improve asset analytics

Infrastructure engineering software company Bentley Systems is partnering with Google to help cities and agencies more rapidly detect and analyse roadway conditions. It will use Imagery Insights from Google Maps Platform to develop new asset analytics capabilities. AI and crowdsourced imagery Unveiled at the Google Cloud Next 2025 event, the new capabilities in Bentley’s Blyncsy product offering, which applies artificial intelligence (AI) to crowdsourced imagery for automated roadway asset detection and inspection, will help infrastructure professionals improve roadway maintenance and support disaster recovery. Blyncsy is part of Bentley Asset Analytics,…

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GenAI tool aims to streamline public sector processes

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GenAI tool aims to streamline public sector processes

Authorium, a cloud-based technology platform that automates and improves complex government processes, has unveiled a product that leverages generative AI to enable government teams to author high-quality statements of work (SOWS). In addition, it has announced it has secured a further $8m in funding and has opened an office in Washington DC. Strategic initiatives The additional $8m will be used to fast-track strategic initiatives including new hires across the US, continuing research and development, and a national rollout of the public benefit corporation’s newest products. Meanwhile, the new released product…

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Partnership drives deployment of autonomous fleets at scale

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Partnership drives deployment of autonomous fleets at scale

Applied EV, an autonomous vehicle technology provider, and Oxa, a pioneer in self-driving software, have announced a strategic partnership to help enable the commercial deployment of autonomous fleets at scale. Expanding on their existing partnership, this new agreement combines Applied EV’s expertise in secure, software-defined vehicle platforms with Oxa’s self-driving software, to deliver an immediate turnkey solution that equips fleet operators with the necessary tools to integrate autonomy into their operations today. Resilient, future-ready operations As commercial industries face challenges like driver shortages – which the partners reckon are set…

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Belfast provides glimpse of future tourism

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Belfast provides glimpse of future tourism

The council’s innovation team hosted an event showing how immersive technologies, including AR and VR, could enhance visitor attractions of the future. Belfast City Council’s City Innovation team has been demonstrating how immersive technologies, including augmented-, virtual-, and mixed reality (AR, VR and MR), could shape future tourism. The team brought expert speakers, businesses and policymakers together to get a first look at proof-of-concept designs for visitor-led tourism experiences, and to gain the latest insights into how immersive technologies could enhance visitor attractions of the future, including Belfast Stories. Augment…

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Suzuki taps Soracom for IoT airtime in new industrial robots

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Suzuki taps Soracom for IoT airtime in new industrial robots

KDDI-owned virtual network operator (MVNO) Soracom is working with vehicle and mobility manufacturer Suzuki Motor Corporation to commercialize electric wheelchair technology in industrial robots. The pair have a proof-of-concept (PoC), they say, that combines Soracom’s IoT airtime with autonomous driving and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in a new family of industrial robots for logistics, manufacturing, construction, and other disciplines. Other partner technologies are also being deployed, said a press note. Suzuki has developed a new “versatile” micro e-mobility platform that uses its mobility technology in electric wheelchairs, developed over a…

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Connecticut to deploy Voltpost lamppost EV chargers

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Connecticut to deploy Voltpost lamppost EV chargers

Lamppost EV charging company Voltpost has been selected by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (Pura) in Connecticut to deploy its modular lamppost retrofit electric vehicle (EV) charging platform, helping to contribute to the state’s electrification goals. The contract includes an 18-month project to demonstrate the feasibility of the Voltpost charging platform, including in territories serviced by two leading regional electric distribution companies (EDCs), Eversource and United Illuminating (UI). EV charging infrastructure According to state authorities, there is a significant need for EV charging infrastructure across Connecticut. While 100 per cent…

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Paris to kick-off Volocopter eVTol operations in France

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Paris to kick-off Volocopter eVTol operations in France

Urban air mobility (UAM) company Volocopter and passenger flight services company Jet Systems Hélicoptères Services have signed an agreement to bring electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTol) aircraft services to France. The services are set to begin in Paris, where European and French authorities have an established and approved network of eVTol flight routes and infrastructure. VoloCity eVol aircraft This long-term agreement covers the initial delivery of two VoloCity eVol aircraft after it is certified under the European Union Aviation Safety Authority (EASA). In addition, Volocopter will contribute its expertise…

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Europe’s transport networks don’t reflect society

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Europe’s transport networks don’t reflect society

Europe’s transport networks are designed for a narrow demographic: typically, men aged 25 to 45, who work traditional 9-to-5 jobs, have no care responsibilities, and speak the local language, reveals a report. EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, has released its latest report, Better Mobility Trend report, in collaboration with Impact Hub Vienna and Point&. Future of mobility The study is based on insights from over 300 startups and 100 industry and academic experts across Europe…

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