UK artificial intelligence startup FiveAI lands £14m series B from Lakestar Capital, an early Facebook and Spotify backer September 6, 2017 The venture fund set up by an early backer of Facebook, Spotify and Skype has invested millions in a UK artificial intelligence startup that is planning on getting driverless cars on the road. Lakestar Capital has led the £14m series B round into FiveAI, the company working with Mclaren technologies and Transport for London on [...]
Three new driverless cars hitting UK roads: A Range Rover Evoque, Ford Fusion and Mondeo unveiled by Oxbotica and Transport for London group Driven September 5, 2017 Three fresh prototypes for driverless cars have been unveiled by a top group with ambitious goals of getting the vehicles onto Britain’s roads by 2019. A self-driving Range Rover Evoque and two Ford – a Fusion and a Mondeo – will be part of a fleet of six vehicles that will form part of trials [...]
Electric cars to charge ahead August 29, 2017 In late July, the UK government announced plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel-only cars in Britain from 2040[1]. It joined the Netherlands, Norway, India, and France to become the fifth country to commit to ending the sale of traditional internal combustion engine cars. However, while it has yet to commit to [...]
McLaren 570S Spider review: Tim Pitt may have found his new favourite supercar July 31, 2017 When a car doesn’t feel right within the first 50 metres, it’s not right. That was the mantra of Richard Parry-Jones, the chassis guru who helped transform Ford in the 1990s. It’s also a test McLaren applied to its new 570S Spider. Forget topping 200mph, this £164,750 roadster had to feel sorted at city speeds. [...]
Following the ‘Day of Action’ in support of net neutrality, should the US Congress reconsider the move to scrap it? | City A.M. July 13, 2017 DEBATE: Following the ‘Day of Action’ in support of net neutrality, should the US Congress reconsider the move to scrap it? YES – StJohn Deakins, founder of CitizenMe. This is economics 101. Infrastructure and service companies have very different financial models. There’s a rich history of infrastructure firms attempting to raise profits by expanding into [...]
Big UK banks slip down in global ranking, but Metro and the challengers make ground July 3, 2017 Big UK banks are suffering compared with international rivals, according to a ranking of the world’s 1,000 largest lenders out today. HSBC remains Britain’s biggest bank in the global ranking, coming in ninth for the second year in a row. However, the lender – which topped the 2008 ranking – suffered its worst result in [...]
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan wants to make the capital a world leading smart city June 12, 2017 London mayor Sadiq Khan has revealed ambitious plans to tackle climate change in the city with the help of tech startups and make the capital a world leading “smart city”. A new incubator, Better Futures, will help 100 small businesses in the capital with funding and other support to create low-carbon and climate friendly technology. [...]
Ford chief executive Mark Fields leaves in management shake-up as boss of driverless car unit Jim Hackett replaces him May 22, 2017 The chief executive of Ford is being replaced by another Ford executive, Jim Hackett. Mark Fields has chosen to retire after 28 years with the firm. Read more: Ford to cut 10 per cent of salaried jobs across the pond Hackett oversaw the Ford subsidiary that works on driverless cars, Ford Smart Mobility. The US [...]
Big Data will never replace Big Ideas: Why cultural intelligence matters May 22, 2017 Whether it’s big data scores, over-hyped Silicon Valley apps, or the panacea of artificial intelligence, the world is fixated on the possibilities of algorithmic knowledge. This will prove to be a costly mistake for business. The greatest challenges and opportunities of the coming century will all be cultural. Major companies like Intel, Ford, and IBM [...]
Mkango and Metalysis team up to develop 3D printed earth magnets to power up electric vehicles in the UK March 20, 2017 Two firms have teamed up to develop 3D printed rare earth magnets, components for electric vehicles, in the UK. Aim-listed Mkango Resources and South Yorkshire-based Metalysis have entered into a memorandum of understanding to jointly research, develop and commercialise rare earth metal alloys for use in 3D printed permanent magnets. Read more: Business Committee launches inquiry [...]