Uber partners with DigitalGlobe to use high-res satellite imagery for better pickups

A recent partnership between Uber and DigitalGlobe will make use of the high-resolution imagery from DigitalGlobe. This move is meant to “help identify and improve pickup and drop-off locations.” It wasn’t explicitly said if this’ll help with Uber’s self-driving initiative but mapping is an important aspect of that. Uber recently bought mapping company deCarta and uses Microsoft’s Bing vehicle imagery so this partnership boosts their mapping efforts further. DigitalGlobe also has a leg up over its competitors (like Google) since it can provide more detail than other private systems. With their WorldView-3 constellation, they can detect images as small as 12-inches across and can scan short-wave infrared frequencies.

For those worried if this might give a literal interpretation of Uber’s “God View,” which they have secretly used to follow clients. It’s unlikely that DigitalGlobe’s tech can do that, no matter how high-tech they are, because that will require renting a satellite for a fixed period of time, which can cost a lot.

Source: DigitalGlobe | Via: Engadget

Toyota, Volkswagen back ride-sharing companies

Gett Chief Executive Shahar Waiser

Toyota and Volkswagen see the potential of ride-sharing companies join the list of investors. Toyota is backing Uber for an undisclosed amount. What they plan to do is explore trials in countries where the ride-sharing industry is growing. Meanwhile, the Volkswagen Group is getting behind Gett, a popular ride-hailing app in Europe. The automaker has invested US$300 million into the startup.

They aren’t the first ones to do this, though. General Motors, for example, has invested half a billion dollars into Lyft to help in the development of autonomous vehicles. BMW and Mercedes-Benz have also began pilot ride-sharing services, among others.

Source: The New York Times

Apple makes foray into ride-sharing business with $1 billion investment in China's Didi Chuxing

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Under pressure to find new revenue streams and segments to secure its continued success, Apple Inc. has invested $1 billion in China's largest Uber competitor Didi Chuxing. In a statement, CEO Tim Cook said that the investment allows Apple a chance to learn more about certain segments of the Chinese market, while it will also deliver a strong return.

“We are making the investment for a number of strategic reasons, including a chance to learn more about certain segments of the China market,” Cook said. “Of course, we believe it will deliver a strong return for our invested capital over time as well."

Apple has long been rumoured to be working on an electric car, it has amassed a large number of engineers from various automotive companies and even recently hired former Tesla VP of Engineering Chris Porritt for 'a special car project'. While Apple has been known to pour billions into R&D and even explore various products that never come to market (but the result of their research proves valuable enought to emerge elsewhere), there's a strong chance the Didi Chuxing investment can have a direct correlation to future Apple plans.

Didi Chuxing is referred to as “China’s Uber” by many. It allows users to request vehicles and taxis via their smartphone, much like Uber, which is its largest competitor in China. China is a key market for Apple and Apple's future growth. The company suffered a few blows in the country when its Books and Movies service was pulled offline due to government regulation. Apple also lost the iPhone trademark in China to a leather manufacturer.

Apple's latest results revealed a 13% drop in revenue on slower iPhone sales. Sales in China had plunged by 26%.

Source: 9to5Mac

Foodora app and service is the Uber of restaurant delivery solutions

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

We've all been there. Running out of time and hankering for a good meal in between meetings or something a bit more special to put on the dinner table when no one has time to cook or prepare a proper meal. Fast-food and deliery services are alright for certain conditions but sometimes you just want to have the food from your favourite restaurant without having to make reservations, dress up and wait to be served.

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