HERE OTA Connect. Credit: Here Deutschland GmbH.
Chakratec raises $4.4m in series C round to bring its innovative fast charging technology for electric vehicles to market. Credit: PRNewsfoto/Chakratec, iArgento and Capital.
Hyundai Mobis to develop autonomous driving sensors. Credit: Business Wire
The existing A27 Crossbush junction at Arundel. Credit: Crown copyright.

HERE introduces new technology for connected vehicles

HERE Technologies introduced a new over-the-air (OTA) solution for connected vehicles to ensure secure data, software and firmware transfer between the Cloud and vehicle.

The new HERE OTA Connect solution is expected to enable wireless software updates to improve vehicle functions.

Singapore LTA awards $860m contracts to build NSC tunnel sections

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Singapore awarded two civil contracts with a combined value of S$1.16bn ($864m) to build two sections of the North-South Corridor (NSC).

The NSC project involves the construction of tunnel and commuter facilities, including pedestrian overhead bridges, bus stops, sheltered walkways and cycling paths.

South Korean company Samsung C&T received one of the contracts to build the section between Toa Payoh Rise and Marymount Lane.

Chakratec secures funding for EV charging technology development

Chakratec secured an additional $4.4m of funding from Israeli iArgento Group and Singapore’s Goldbell to advance the development of charging technology for electric vehicles (EV).

The company has already raised $3.2m through previous funding rounds.

With the new funding, Chakratec intends to carry out the initial three pilot projects in Europe, which will facilitate the process to procure first orders at the end of this year.

Consumer trust in autonomous vehicles drops in US

A report found that consumer trust in self-driving vehicles has significantly declined following multiple incidents involving autonomous vehicle technologies, including a fatal accident.

Nearly three-fourths (73%) of US drivers who participated in the American Automobile Association (AAA) survey said that they would be too afraid to ride in a fully self-driving vehicle, up from 63% in late last year.

Furthermore, 63% of respondents said they would feel less safe sharing the road with a self-driving vehicle while walking or riding a bicycle.

Hyundai Mobis to develop autonomous driving sensors by 2020

Automotive supplier Hyundai Mobis has announced its plans to develop autonomous driving sensors, a key element for future vehicles, by 2020.

It intends to use its Seosan Proving Ground that opened last June in Seosan, South Chungcheong Province, South Korea, as a testbed for future car technologies.

The firm plans to raise its research and development (R&D) investment cost from 7% of its parts sales to 10% by 2021.

RInfra-Astaldi JV wins $1.04bn sea link project in India

A joint venture (JV) between Reliance Infrastructure and Italian company Astaldi secured an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the Versova-Bandra Sea Link Project at Mumbai, located in the Indian state of Maharashtra.

Issued by the Maharashtra State Road Development (MSRDC), the contract was awarded to the JV after it emerged as the most competitive bidder valuing Rs69.94bn ($1.04bn).

Reliance Infrastructure EPC CEO Arun Gupta said: “Our JV with Astaldi, the third biggest construction player in the world in bridges with an order backlog of over Rs two lakh crore (Rs2,000bn), will help us create a truly world-class mega infrastructure project for Mumbai.”

Plans unveiled to develop £250m bypass for Arundel, UK

Highways England unveiled a new plan to develop a £250m bypass for Arundel on the A27 in West Sussex, UK.

The four-mile long dual carriageway will complete the A27 route and is expected to reduce commuter journey times by nearly an hour and a half every week.

The existing A27 through Arundel is currently supporting nearly 150% of its capacity.

Highways England signs 11 contractors for £3.3bn road resurface works

Highways England signed up 11 firms under a four-year framework arrangement for all resurfacing works that can value up to £3.3bn.

The arrangement will enable Highways England to award contracts to rehabilitate poor road surfaces across England’s motorways and major A-roads over the next four years without going through the lengthy bidding processes.

Iteris wins contract for $1.9bn I-405 Improvement Project in US

Global applied informatics company Iteris secured a contract with OC 405 Partners to integrate and maintain technology infrastructure in support of the $1.9bn I-405 Improvement Project in southern California, US.

The latest $2.4m contract is set to leverage Iteris’ expertise in new ITS projects that boost both safety and mobility. It has a 12-month term from the date of execution and focuses on the deployment of temporary ITS infrastructure for use during construction.

Undertaken by Orange County Transportation Authority in collaboration with the California Department of Transportation, the project will improve 16 miles of the I-405 between the SR-73 freeway in Costa Mesa and I-605 near the Los Angeles County line.

Philippino and Chinese firms sign contract for two bridge projects

The Philippines Department of Public Works & Highways (DPWH) has signed a PHP5.27bn ($100m) contract with two Chinese firms to build two bridge projects in the country.

The contract involves the construction of Binondo-Intramuros and Estrella-Pantallon Bridge Projects. It was signed with consultant CCCC Highway Consultant and contractor China Road and Bridge.

Finalisation of the deal will allow the commencement of survey, design and construction work of the two bridges.