gig economy News

Rideshare Drivers Take ‘Huge Risk’ with Personal Auto Coverage: GEICO

You are a driver for a transportation network company and then the unfortunate happens. Someone sideswipes your vehicle. In the chaotic moments after the accident, a question about your personal auto insurance coverage arises. Are you fully covered for ridesharing? …

Mercedes’ Parent, Daimler, Partners with Bosch to Develop ‘Robo-Taxis’

Mercedes-Benz owner Daimler and supplier Robert Bosch are teaming up to develop self-driving cars in an alliance aimed at accelerating the production of “robo-taxis.” The pact between the world’s largest maker of premium cars and the world’s largest automotive supplier …

Uber’s Biggest SE Asia Rival, Grab, Buys Indonesian E-Commerce Platform

Grab, Uber Technologies Inc.’s biggest rival in Southeast Asia, will acquire Indonesian e-commerce startup Kudo for an undisclosed amount, striking its first deal since pledging to invest $700 million in its largest market. The purchase is aimed at beefing up …

Thai Authorities Begin Crackdown on Ride-Hailing Firms Uber, Grab

Thailand’s transport authorities have begun a crackdown on drivers for ride-hailing services Uber and Grab and want the military government to ban them, a transport official said on Tuesday. U.S.-based Uber has faced regulatory hurdles around the world and when …

Singapore Tightens Rules for Sharing Economy that Could Disrupt Asia Ambitions

Singapore, a keen early adopter of the sharing economy, has fired a warning shot across the bow of Airbnb and Uber with tighter rules that could shake up their business models and growth ambitions in Asia. The rules, some say, …

Brazil Uber Drivers Are Employees & Entitled to Benefits, Rules Judge

A Brazilian judge ruled that a driver using the Uber ride-hailing app is an employee of the San Francisco-based company and is entitled to workers’ benefits, adding to the global debate over labor rights for drivers on the platform. Uber …

Uber & Ola Drivers’ Strike Paralyzes Ride Hailing Services in India’s Capital

A strike led by drivers’ unions in the Indian capital demanding better pay from Uber and Ola has paralyzed the ride-hailing services that have grabbed business from traditional taxi and rickshaw operators with their cheaper fares. Commuters faced delays for …

Uber Suspends Service in Taiwan After Authorities Raise Fines

Uber Technologies Inc. said it will suspend its service in Taiwan from Feb. 10, firing the latest salvo in the ride-hailing service company’s long-running dispute with the island’s authorities. Uber’s move comes after Taiwan recently raised fines against unlicensed ride-sharing …

Uber Drivers in Taiwan Threatened with Fines of $780,000 in Draft Rules

Investors and companies are getting a preview of how the Taiwan government’s plan to become “Asia’s Silicon Valley” might fare. Uber Technologies Inc., one of Silicon Valley’s most disruptive companies and valued at more than $60 billion, launched services in …

BMW to Test Autonomous Vehicles in Munich in 2017

BMW will test autonomous vehicles in Munich next year as it seeks to keep up with ride-hailing firms like Uber, which have spent billions on pay-per-use personal transport. The German carmaker will have about 40 vehicles with self-driving functions in …