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Google Teams Up With Audi, Others for Open Automotive Alliance

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SAN FRANCISCO – Google today unveiled the Open Automotive Alliance, a collaboration with Audi, GM, Honda, Hyundai, and Nvidia that’s intended to accelerate in-car tech innovation.

“Common platforms allow for one connected experience across our phone, tablet and PC, so we get the right information at the right time, no matter what device we’re using,” Patrick Brady, director of Android Engineering, wrote in a blog post. “But there’s still an important device that isn’t yet connected as seamlessly to the other screens in our lives – the car.”

As a result, the search giant is joining forces with automakers to help make it easier – and safer – to access Android devices from behind the wheel.

“Wouldn’t it be great if you could bring your favorite apps and music with you, and use them safely with your car’s built-in controls and in-dash display?” Brady wrote.

Google Teams Up With Audi, Others for Open Automotive AllianceUsing Android, he said, will make it easier for automakers to deliver “cutting-edge technology” to customers. A number of car makers already have in-car infotainment systems, like FordSync, but updates can be a hassle.

Meanwhile, the alliance “will create new opportunities for developers to extend the variety and depth of the Android app ecosystem in new, exciting and safe ways,” Brady said.

“We see huge opportunities for the Android platform paired with OnStar 4G LTE connectivity in future Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles,” said Mary Chan, president of General Motors’ Global Connected Consumer unit.

“The worlds of consumer and automotive technologies have never been more closely aligned, and this alliance will only pave the way for faster innovation,” said Ricky Hudi, Head of Electrics/Electronics Development at Audi AG. “Working toward a common ecosystems benefits driver safety above all.”

Expect to hear more from Audi tonight; chairman Rupert Stadler is scheduled to deliver a CES keynote, which kicks off at 8:30 p.m. PT.
Google urged other auto-makers to join the alliance. The company is, of course, also working on self-driving cars, though that is not expected to become a reality for another 10 years or so.

– PC MAG

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Motoring

FCTA Pulls Plugs On Taxi Rank, Terminal Services Contracts

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The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has ended contracts with taxi rank and terminal operators due to their failure to meet engagement terms and conditions.

Mr. Ubokutom Nyah, the Mandate Secretary of the Transportation Secretariat, FCTA, made this announcement during a meeting with managers of these terminals and taxi ranks in Abuja.

Nyah clarified that due to the operators’ failure to fulfill their engagement terms, the FCTA had to terminate their contracts.

He instructed them to transfer control of the ranks to the Administration within three months, starting from Nov. 21.

He lamented the presence of unauthorized motor parks in the city and assured the readiness of the Administration to establish proper taxi ranks and terminals in the capital.

He revealed that personally visiting the city’s taxi ranks, terminals, and unauthorized motor parks gave him direct insight into the poor condition of these facilities.

He emphasized that as the federal capital city, Abuja deserves better, highlighting that the poor condition of these facilities attracts various criminal elements.

He said “We must rid Abuja of all these. I have gone round the taxi ranks, and of all the places I visited, not one is worthy to be called even a village motor park.”

The Mandate Secretary stressed that the intention wasn’t punitive; rather, it aimed to revamp the sector, introduce new engagement terms, and modernize taxi ranks and terminals in the federal capital.

He also highlighted the plan to increase the number of terminals and ranks where necessary, which would positively impact the administration’s revenue.

He emphasized that this measure was part of a broader effort to eliminate illegal motor parks in Abuja and curb the associated criminal activities.

In response, Mr. Adebisi Lawal, the Operator of Jahi Taxi Rank, praised the administration’s initiative to modernize the taxi ranks and terminals.

Lawal urged the administration to prioritize current operators’ involvement in the selection of new developers for the modernization of the taxi ranks and terminals.

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Motoring

Power Show Sees Soldiers Batter LASTMA Officer

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It was a show of power at the Ojota area of Lagos on Monday as soldiers pummeled an officer of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, (LASTMA).

Eyewitness accounts claim that the ugly scene played out around 8am, and saw about eight soldiers pounce on the yet to identified LASTMA official, while his colleagues took to their heels.

The video of the melodrama has gone viral, where the LASTMA official was appealing to the soldiers, who appeared bent on ‘teaching him a lesson’.

This onslaught comes on the back of a reported assault of a soldier at the same location by LASTMA officials last week.

It would appear that what played out today was the army asserting its authority and defending their khaki as the armed soldiers carried out what looked like a revenge mission.

Eyewitnesses further averred that the victim was rushed to a nearby hospital, after the soldiers left the scene.

It was gathered that the authorities at LASTMA has reported the incident to the military authorities who are said to be looking into the matter.

Meanwhile many members of the public are rejoicing that the soldiers have taught the crude LASTMA official that power is stronger than power, for all their atrocities against motorists on Lagos roads.

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Intra-City Fares Skyrocket By 98% Month-On-Month – NBS

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Kogi, Ogun, Cross River Propel Mining Sector’s 17.95% Growth – NBS

The impact of the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, has seen the pump prices of the product skyrocket with a corresponding increase in the cost commercial transportation in Nigeria.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), intra-city bus transportation fares across Nigerian cities, measured between May and June 2023, increased from N649.59 to N1,285.41 in June 2023.

This translates to 98 percent growth or N635.82 within the month in view.

The NBS made the data available in its Transport Fare Watch report for June 2023.

In the report, the NBS also shared the breakdown of bus journeys within the cities per drop for constant routes; bus journey intercity (state route); charges per person, amongst others.

On a year-on-year basis, the report has it that bus fares rose by 120.63 percent from N582.61 paid by commuters in June 2022.

The average fare paid by commuters for bus journey intercity per drop rose to N5,686.49 in June 2023 compared to N4,002.16 in May 2023 indicating an increase of 42.09 percent, month-on-month.

The report read, “The average fare paid by commuters for bus journeys within the city per drop increased by 97.88 per cent from N649.59 in May 2023 to N1,285.41 in June 2023.

On a year-on-year basis, it rose by 120.63 per cent from N582.61 in June 2022.

“In another category, the average fare paid by commuters for bus journey intercity per drop rose to N5,686.49 in June 2023, indicating an increase of 42.09 on a month-on-month basis compared to N4,002.16 in May 2023.

“On a year-on-year basis, the fare rose by 55.25 per cent from N3,662.87 in June 2022.”

Biztellers reported that the twin forces of forex pressure and increasing price of Brent in the global market would likely see the pump prices of petrol, increased again in no distant time in Nigeria.

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