Technology 6/10: Toyota invests 1.5 billion USD in automation and artificial intelligence startups

Toyota invests heavily in startup ecosystem

Toyota has announced a $1.5 billion investment to drive innovation in areas such as smart mobility, artificial intelligence (AI), climate technology and industrial automation. The Japanese automaker has established Toyota Invention Partners Co. with a capital of $670 million. The company focuses on “zero to one” stage startups in Japan, that is, from idea to the first product.

Toyota invests in smart mobility technology and sustainable development. (Source: Finoracle)

Toyota’s Woven Capital growth fund also launched a second $800 million fund, targeting startups from Series B to late-stage. The fund has invested in 18 companies in the first fund, including Nuro (autonomous vehicles) and Foretellix (software testing platform).

This investment strategy fits with Toyota's innovation ecosystem, which includes Woven City — a prototype city near Mount Fuji that tests new technologies and supports startups to grow.

Amazon suspends drone delivery service after crash in Arizona

On the morning of October 1, two Amazon Prime Air delivery drones collided with a construction crane in Tolleson, Arizona — about 2 miles from Amazon’s distribution center. The drones were flying northeast, one after the other, when they simultaneously struck the crane, which was lifting equipment onto the roof of a building. After the collision, each drone landed in a different parking lot nearby.

An Amazon delivery drone crashes. (Source: Getty Images)

A resident near the scene was affected by smoke from the crash and was treated. No serious injuries were reported. Amazon immediately suspended drone delivery services in the West Valley area of Phoenix while it investigated.

US Department of Energy cancels a series of clean energy projects

The Trump administration has canceled 321 clean energy projects worth $7.56 billion. California was hit hardest, losing $2.2 billion in funding, including a $630 million grid modernization program. Blue states like Colorado, Illinois, and New York also suffered big losses, raising concerns about the government ’s stability as an investment partner.

Minh Hoan

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/cong-nghe-6-10-toyota-rot-1-5-ty-usd-vao-startup-tu-dong-hoa-tri-tue-nhan-tao-ar969458.html