
Eric Walz
Originally hailing from New Jersey, Eric is a automotive & technology reporter covering the high-tech industry here in Silicon Valley. He has over 15 years of automotive experience and a bachelors degree in computer science. These skills, combined with technical writing and news reporting, allows him to fully understand and identify new and innovative technologies in the auto industry and beyond. He has worked at Uber on self-driving cars and as a technical writer, helping people to understand and work with technology.
Articles
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Ford is Testing a New Robotic Charging Station to Assist Drivers of EVs With Disabilities
Jan 12, 2023 1:30 PM WSTFor drivers with disabilities, switching to an electric vehicle may pose some new challenges, such as exiting the vehicle to plug in a bulky cable at an EV charging station. To address this, Ford Motor Co is testing a new robotic EV charging arm that will offer drivers with physical limitations a much needed helping hand.
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Ford Raises the Prices of the F-150 Lightning Electric Pickup Due to Rising Raw Material Costs
Jan 05, 2023 11:15 AM WSTFord Motor Co is raising prices of the F-150 Lightning electric pickup for the first time since its launch in May 2021. The automaker cited significant material cost increases and other factors for the price hikes of nearly 20% on Lightning models. The automaker said prices for the 2023 F-150 Lightning will jump between $6,000 and $8,500 depending on the model.
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The BMW 7-Series to Feature HD Live Maps From HERE Technologies for Hands-Free Highway Driving in North America at Speeds up to 80 MPH
Jan 03, 2023 9:15 AM WSTBMW will soon launch its first vehicle in North America that supports SAE Level-2+ automated driving at speeds of up to 80mph /130 km/h. To support hands-free driving on highways in the U.S. and Canada, BMW’s flagship sedan will feature cloud-based, live HD maps from HERE Technologies.
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AutoX to Use the 'Eyeonic Vision Sensor' from California-based SiLC Technologies for its Robotaxi Fleet in China
Jan 01, 2023 10:30 AM WSTAutonomous technology developer AutoX, which is rolling out a robotaxi service in China using a fleet of level-4 self-driving vehicles, has selected an advanced vision sensor developed by California-based Silicon photonics developer SiLC Technologies. The company's Eyeonic Vision Sensors were first announced in Dec 2021 and improve the perception of traditional lidar, providing much more depth perception and instantaneous velocity of objects.
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LG Develops ‘Invisible’ Speaker Sound Technology That Could Revolutionize In-Vehicle Audio
Dec 28, 2022 10:45 AM WSTSouth Korea-based electronics giant LG Display has announced the development of a unique flat speaker that can be placed in the roof, doors or dash panels of vehicles. LG calls it a “Thin Actuator Sound Solution” and it could revolutionize vehicle audio and infotainment systems by offering high fidelity in a compact form factor.
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Researchers at South Korea’s Chung-Ang University Develop a ‘Meta-Reinforcement’ Machine Learning Algorithm for Traffic Lights to Improve Vehicle Throughput
Dec 22, 2022 2:30 PM WSTResearchers from South Korea’s Chung-Ang University are experimenting using reinforcement learning (RL) algorithms to solve traffic signal control problems and reduce congestion. Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have shown promise in optimizing traffic signal controls that can make driving in busy urban areas less frustrating.
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Zeekr’s New 009 Electric Passenger Van is the World’s First EV to Feature CATL’s Advanced ‘Qilin’ Battery With a Range of 510 Miles
Dec 19, 2022 1:45 PM WSTChina's new premium electric vehicle brand Zeekr, which is owned by Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. (“Geely”), has officially launched its second model, a sleek passenger van named the “009”. The electric multi-passenger van (MPV) will be the world’s first vehicle powered by an advanced battery developed by battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd. (CATL) called the “Qilin”.
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Redwood Materials is Building an Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling Facility in South Carolina
Dec 14, 2022 12:25 PM WSTElectric vehicle battery recycling startup Redwood Materials announced its building a battery recycling facility in South Carolina. The facility will support the region’s emergence as a growing EV and battery manufacturing hub. The company collects end-of-life batteries and extracts valuable raw materials such as nickel, copper, cobalt, and lithium, which are then used to manufacture cathode and anode materials for new batteries.
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Panasonic Announces Multi-Year Agreement to Supply Electric Vehicle Batteries to Lucid Group
Dec 13, 2022 10:00 AM WSTPanasonic Energy Co., Ltd. and Luxury electric automaker Lucid Group have entered into a multi-year agreement to supply batteries for Lucid’s electric vehicles, including the Lucid Air sedan and forthcoming Gravity SUV. The battery supply deal aligns with Panasonic’s goal of expanding battery production outside of its home country of Japan. The company plans to expand the production of EV batteries in the U.S. to meet growing demand from automakers.
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Premium Chinese EV Brand Zeekr Seeks to Raise $1 Billion in U.S. IPO, According to Sources
Dec 12, 2022 12:30 PM WSTNewly launched electric vehicle brand Zeekr Intelligent Technology Ltd. ("Zeekr"), which is owned by Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group ("Geely"), aims to launch an IPO in the U.S. to raise capital from investors. Zeekr is planning to become a U.S.-listed company as early as the second quarter of 2023.