Motion sickness could become a problem for passengers as fully self-driving cars emerge, so Jaguar Land Rover is developing software with biometric sensors to detect it and alter acceleration, braking and lane position to reduce it. The company has driven 20,000 miles in simulations and on roads to improve the software, which will be part of future production cars.

Micromobility startup Unagi has launched a monthly scooter leasing program in New York and Los Angeles, promising sturdy vehicles -- and repairs within 24 hours. But a few factors may limit the offering's success: People don't like using scooters in bad weather, scooters aren't popular in communities of color, and monthly passes for bicycle ride-share programs are roughly one-eighth of the price Unagi is charging for a scooter.

The mobility industry changed significantly with the advent of such practices as car- and bike-sharing, and mobility-as-a-service was first proposed six years ago. But the practice has struggled, with low or nonexistent commissions one problem, along with the hesitance of public transit agencies to use mobility service apps rather than their own apps; as a result, mobility-as-a-service "doesn't match with consumer preferences or commercial traction," says Matthias Dill of mobility-focused venture fund Energy Impact Partners.

Drivers tend to react in one of four ways to pre-crash warning systems now found in many cars, a University of Missouri study finds. They may respond with quick avoidance action, notice the alert but not respond because they were already aware of the situation, ignore the alert because it's annoying, or ignore it because the alert does not seem warranted.

In light of Pittsburgh's transportation accessibility study, former Google Car worker Brad Templeton offers a brief history of disability access issues in public transit. He notes that solutions include the Kenguru, a one-person vehicle that a driver using a wheelchair can roll into, adding that such vehicles could eventually be used in services that could offer profitable rides while charging as little as 30 cents a mile.

Toyota and Blue Nexus will push electric vehicle adoption via related services, technical support and sales structure, and Toyota will take a 10% stake in Blue Nexus, which develops and sells electric drive modules and their calibration services. The move will see Toyota's calibration technologies paired with Blue Nexus' electric modules.

The 2021 ITS America Annual Meeting will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta May 17 to 20. Learn more.