Tag Archives: hubs

Electric Vehicles

Mercedes’ First Electric Car Charging Station Just Opened, And It’s Leaving Nothing To Chance

Mercedes-Benz has launched its Charging Hubs, making them open to owners of EVs from any brand, not just Mercedes loyalists. Existing Mercedes EQ series car owners will have six months of free charging, and those with the 2024 Mercedes-EQ line-up can charge for free for two years.

The car’s Navigation with Electric Intelligence system will allow owners to reserve a charging point in advance, providing a seamless experience for Mercedes EQ owners. They can simply plug in their car at the charging station, head to the lounge, and receive automatic payment and a notification on the Mercedes me Charge app when their car is ready.  

While Mercedes is offering lounge facilities at its charging stations, it’s not the first to do so. Tesla provides cube lounges at Supercharger stations in Germany, complete with amenities such as restrooms, seating areas, food, drinks, and vending machines offering electronic items. Porsche’s fossil fuel-free charging lounge even features a smart mirror for EV owners to focus on their health during their visit.

Artificial Intelligence, Electric Vehicles, Energy, News, Robotics, Technology

White House Announces 31 U.S. Tech Hubs to Drive Innovation

The White House has officially designated 31 technology hubs in the United States to foster innovation and support the growth of various industries. These hubs cover different categories, including autonomous systems technology and biotechnology applied in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. The tech hubs are located across the country, spanning states such as Montana, Rhode Island, Oklahoma, Massachusetts, Colorado, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana, Virginia, New Hampshire, Missouri, Kansas, Maryland, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Louisiana, Idaho, Georgia, South Carolina, New York, Florida, Oregon, Texas, Maine, Washington, Vermont, and even Puerto Rico.

Several federal agencies, including the USDA and the Transportation Department, will provide assistance to these tech hubs when appropriate. Gina Raimondo, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, expressed the importance of these consortia, stating, “Each of these consortia will help us ensure the industries of the future — and their high-paying jobs — start, grow, and remain in the United States.” It is worth noting that the selection process for these tech hubs involved entities applying for the designation, with the 31 chosen from a pool of approximately 400 applicants. The grants allocated to support these tech hubs will amount to nearly $500 million.