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Groupe Renault and Nissan sign exclusive alliance deal with Waymo to explore driverless mobility services in France and Japan

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and Waymo have entered into an exclusive agreement for an initial period to explore all aspects of driverless mobility services for passengers and deliveries in France and Japan. Groupe Renault, Nissan Motor Co., —John Krafcik, Chief Executive Officer, Waymo.

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NGK Spark Plug & HAKUTO-R to test solid-state lithium battery technology on the moon in 2021

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NGK Spark Plug’s specialty in making batteries small and compact is a key feature for future spacecraft to install the technology in a limited space. ispace raised nearly US$95 million in Series A funding—the largest on record in Japan and more than almost any other space company.

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WiTricity extends recent funding for a total of $52M

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The extension included investments from Tony Fadell’s Future Shape and other private investors. The company envisions a not-too-distant future when dynamic charging will support moving vehicles (from taxi queues to roadways), and autonomous vehicles and robots will charge without human intervention.

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Honda announces second plug-in vehicle testing program; Japan joins US, China may follow

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The plug-in hybrid electric test vehicle for Japan. The specifics of the testing program, testing vehicles, and solar-powered charging stations made their public debut in Japan. The specifics of the testing program, testing vehicles, and solar-powered charging stations made their public debut in Japan. Click to enlarge.

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Thomson Reuters report finds established auto industry companies, not Silicon Valley, leading development of autonomous driving tech

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The report, which analyzes global patent activity in the field of self-driving automobiles over the last five years, identifies the global leaders in the development of the technologies and also makes predictions about the future of driverless cars. Google ranks 19 th in the world in this area, followed by Ford at number 20.

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Honda Introducing BEV and PHEV to US and Japan in 2012; Demonstration Programs in US Begin This Year

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Honda Motor Company will introduce a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) and a new plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) to the US market in 2012, said President & CEO Takanobu Ito in his mid-year address in Tokyo, Japan. Vehicles equipped with this new system are scheduled to go on sale in 2012 in Japan and the US. Plug-in hybrid.

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J.D. Power: quality takes a back seat to innovation as problems reach a record high

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The automotive industry is facing a wide range of quality problems, a phenomenon not seen in the 37-year history of the IQS The industry is at a major crossroad and the path each manufacturer chooses is paramount for its future. PP100 gap exists between vehicles that have an Android Automotive OS without Google Automotive Services (51.1

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