BMW Is Going All-In On In-Car Microtransactions
BMW has detailed an overhaul to the digital systems that power its luxury vehicles, including a new map and navigation system, a revamped digital assistant, a “digital key” and wireless Android Auto.
All cars equipped with its newest “Operating System 7” software will soon receive an update that makes it possible for the company to tinker with all sorts of functions in the car, like access to heated seats and driving assist features like automatic high beams or adaptive cruise control.
The most interesting thing BMW shared about the changes is that the company is going all-in on in-car microtransactions. The company unsurprisingly plans to use this ability to make money. An owner can, at some point, pay to access certain features that they didn’t initially buy with the car.
Read the article at The Verge.
Robot Trucks To Roam 1,100-Mile Phoenix-Houston Corridor
TuSimple, a self-driving startup with operations in the U.S. and China, is opening what it calls the world’s first “Autonomous Freight Network,” a highway corridor stretching over 1,100 miles from Phoenix to Houston for its robot trucks to haul loads in a technology partnership with UPS, U.S. Xpress, Penske Truck Leasing and Berkshire Hathaway BRK.B-backed McLane.
The project involves the San Diego-based company’s fleet of 40 self-driving semis (with human safety drivers in the cab), new proprietary software for TuSimple and its customers to monitor their on-road performance and location data, high-definition digital route maps and freight terminals at strategic locations.
If all goes as planned, TuSimple will expand the network from Los Angeles to Jacksonville, Florida, along U.S. Interstate-10 by 2022 and then start operating Level-4 self-driving truck services across the U.S. by 2023.
Read the article at Forbes.
Career Advice For A Changing World
As people assess how COVID-19 has impacted their career, community, and local economy, they should ask “What are the things I always wanted to do and am good at? What opportunities are there for someone with my background?”
Changes in the nature of work and the working world that are accelerated by technology and demographics will affect four specific groups of people at different stages in their careers: the young - just leaving college, midcareer workers, those who are close to retirement age and those who were always struggling to get by and whose job prospects now are slimmer than ever will be facing
People in all four groups can create better outcomes for themselves by making the most of the help that government may provide to encourage and enable reskilling and upskilling.
Read the article at strategy+business.
NAFA I&E 2020 is Going Virtual!
NAFA’s big news is that I&E 2020 is going virtual! Given the continuing uncertainty about live events and travel restrictions, NAFA can now provide the essential tools and insights that I&E is so well known for directly to you on your screen of choice.
Merchants Fleet Partners with YourMechanic
Merchants Fleet has announced their partnership with YourMechanic, a leading automotive mobile maintenance and repair services provider that brings vehicle care directly to customers’ homes, offices or lots.
“We are excited to add YourMechanic to our partnership network and extend the mobile maintenance offering to our clients,” said Adam Secore, Sr. Vice President, Operations at Merchants Fleet.
“With similar philosophies in client service, flexibility and total cost of ownership for clients, we knew we had the right partner to work with us and offer an important service at this time."
