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Business Times
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Business Times
Grab to roll out autonomous shuttle bus trial at one-north
[Singapore] Grab announced the launch of its first autonomous electric shuttle bus pilot on Tuesday (Jul 8) in Singapore, in collaboration with Autonomous A2Z (A2Z), a Korean full-stack autonomous vehicle technology manufacturer. Starting tomorrow, the self-driving shuttle will operate on a fixed 3.9km route between Grab's headquarters at one-north and the nearby one-north MRT station. The autonomous shuttle will serve Grab employees for two hours daily during off-peak periods, with additional hours dedicated to further training. Grab and A2Z will closely monitor ride performance and safety outcomes before opening up more time slots. The vehicle is equipped with A2Z's full-stack autonomous technology and Grab's Internet of Things (IoT) systems, and will operate with a trained safety driver onboard at all times. It is also equipped with 11 sensors and has a 360-degree view of its surroundings, enabling it to detect and safely manoeuvre around new objects and sudden obstacles. 'Safety is Grab's top priority, and we are committed to taking a cautious and calibrated approach to autonomous technology pilots,' said Yee Wee Tang, Grab's regional head of operations. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up 'Through this initiative, we are evaluating the safety performance of autonomous technologies and exploring the potential new job opportunities this sector could create,' he added. A2Z's managing director Ryan Kim said the trial is the company's first deployment in Singapore and will help test the commercial viability of autonomous shuttles in Singapore, as well as explore their potential to alleviate manpower shortages in Singapore's public transport sector. As part of the trial, Grab is also training driver-partners and members of the National Private Hire Vehicles Association to become part-time safety drivers, with five already enrolled in the programme. The pilot comes on the heels of Grab's regional partnerships with several autonomous vehicle firms, and is part of its broader strategy to support Singapore's autonomous vehicle ambitions.
CNA
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- CNA
Grab launches autonomous shuttle bus for its employees between office and MRT station
SINGAPORE: Grab will be shuttling employees between its one-north office and the MRT station with an autonomous vehicle (AV) starting Wednesday (Jul 9). The 22-seater electric shuttle bus will operate daily during the off-peak hours of 2pm to 4pm, the local tech firm announced on Tuesday, adding that employees can track the vehicle's location using the Grab app. A trained safety driver will be present at all times to 'ensure passenger safety and smooth operations', said Grab in a statement. The shuttle will only be available to Grab employees and is operated in collaboration with Autonomous A2Z, a Korean AV manufacturer. A2Z's business and international managing director Ryan Kim said that A2Z has been collaborating closely with Grab, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and local safety drivers to prepare for AV operations in Singapore. 'The pilot will enable us to better assess the commercial viability of autonomous shuttles in addressing first- and last-mile commute challenges while exploring their potential to alleviate manpower shortages in the public transport sector,' he said. He added that A2Z and Grab will share insights from the initiative with the government to 'support Singapore's broader AV ambitions'. Grab's initiative comes days after it was announced that Singapore will be trialling AVs in Punggol from the fourth quarter of this year. Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow said last month that AVs will be plying fixed routes in Punggol. Prior to the launch, the autonomous shuttle went through over 100 hours of 'training' on the fixed 3.9km route connecting Grab's office to one-north station. Information on lane markings, traffic lights and obstacles was collected. The shuttle was also trained to respond to real-world scenarios such as stopping at zebra crossings, traffic lights and unplanned scenarios such as traffic obstructions. The AV is equipped with 11 sensors and has a 360-degree view of its surroundings. 'If an issue with the sensors or systems is detected, the in-built safety algorithm will ensure the bus comes to a safe and complete stop,' said Grab. Other than the two hours of operations daily, there will be an additional hour of further training for the vehicle. Both Grab and A2Z will closely monitor ride performance and safety outcomes before opening up more time slots. During a demonstration with media on board, the autonomous shuttle drove with caution - coming to a complete stop at zebra crossings even when no pedestrians were observed. The bus also kept a safe distance from any stopped or incoming vehicles and backed out from a lane change when a vehicle abruptly cut in. Whenever a cyclist or jaywalker appeared, even if they were a distance away, the bus would jerk to a stop to avoid any chance of an accident. A screen on the bus indicated whether it was in 'autonomous mode' or 'manual mode'. Other information such as speed, direction and arrival time was also shown. Through the pilot, Grab also looks to explore how Singapore workers, such as platform workers, can upskill and transition into emerging roles in the AV sector. For a start, Grab aims to train up to 10 safety drivers by the end of the year. Five drivers are currently undergoing training. Grab's regional head of operations Yee Wee Tang said that safety is a top priority. 'Through this initiative, we are evaluating the safety performance of autonomous technologies and exploring the potential new job opportunities this sector could create,' he said.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
KIOTI Names TRG Agency of Record
Independent Dallas-Based Agency to Lead Integrated Efforts for Brand Growth DALLAS, June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- KIOTI, a global leader in tractors and power equipment, has named TRG its advertising agency responsible for creative, media, and brand strategy. KIOTI is part of Daedong-USA, the U.S. subsidiary of the Daedong Corporation. "We look forward to our next chapter of marketing with TRG, chosen for their strategic thinking, standout creative, and innovative approach – all hallmarks of our history, culture, and commitment to excellence," said Ryan Kim, deputy CEO and executive vice president of KIOTI Tractor. The KIOTI brand has been known within the agricultural and land maintenance industry since its first compact tractor was introduced to the U.S. in the mid-1980s, and it intends to continue growing in the U.S. and abroad. KIOTI's current "We dig dirt" campaign launched in August 2019. "We're proud to partner with KIOTI at a pivotal moment in the brand's growth," said Zac Pritchett, TRG principal and chief development officer. "With a bold story and a strong foundation, KIOTI is poised to boost recognition and reach. Together, we're ready to build lasting impact for the brand – felt far beyond the field and remembered when it matters most." Nearing their 40-year anniversary, KIOTI recently launched the industry's first subcompact tractor with a cab – a major milestone for the brand and the industry. They also launched into the compact construction space in late 2023. The first campaign of the partnership with TRG is expected to launch later this year. About TRGFounded in 1976, TRG has a five-decade winning streak of building iconic brands. Orkin. Chick-fil-A. Ram. Motel 6. Charles Schwab. The Home Depot. Our greatest successes are tied to some of America's most memorable stories, while our own story is one of results, respect, and award-winning work. We consider ourselves more than marketers – we're in the memory-making business. More than activations and ads, more than media plans, TRG creates long-lasting memories in the minds of consumers that, overnight and over time, move markets. Fiercely independent since our founding, we push ourselves daily, bravely, and freely without distant boards or outside agendas. Find or follow the agency @TRG or @TRGCreativity. About KIOTIFor more than 35 years, KIOTI Tractor has been a trusted supplier of tractors, ranging from 22 to 115 horsepower, in the U.S. and Canadian markets. Their comprehensive product line includes tractors, utility vehicles, residential and commercial zero-turn mowers, and compact construction equipment. Headquartered in Wendell, NC, with additional distribution centers in Texas and Canada, KIOTI's vertical integration strategy ensures high-quality products and seamless component integration. Their customers benefit from a vast and ever-expanding dealer network throughout North America, dedicated to providing exceptional customer service. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE TRG Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gen Z is facing a career apocalypse
Throughout his college studies, Ryan Kim always had a postgraduation game plan. First it was to become a database manager. Then it was to break into fintech as a business analyst. But during his sophomore and junior years, as the tech industry laid off nearly half a million workers, Kim struggled to secure an internship. So he set his eyes on a new career: public service. Kim was far from the only Gen Zer making the same pivot. Last year, according to the job site Handshake, the share of applications it received from college seniors for entry-level openings in tech dropped by 19% from 2022, while the share to jobs in government nearly doubled. Even younger kids saw the writing on the wall. In surveys, high school students used to cite tech giants like Google and Apple as the places they most wanted to work. But last year, in a startling shift, both the FBI and NASA ranked higher than any of those tech companies. Silicon Valley was out. Capitol Hill was in. It took Kim only a single application to land a yearlong paid internship at the Food and Drug Administration. His performance reviews were good, and he planned to stay on at the agency after he earned his degree in May. "You hear so many horror stories of people in tech being laid off with little notice," he tells me. "Government jobs are secure. What drew me into it was the stability." So much for that plan. This month, with his graduation fast approaching, Kim abruptly lost his internship amid the government-wide havoc Elon Musk has unleashed at DOGE. With most federal hiring on an indefinite hold, he's been scrambling to find a job — any job. "It's been a huge source of stress," he says. "Most of the private industry has already hired their graduating students." Kim is one of the roughly 2 million students set to graduate this spring into an exceptionally shaky job market. Things were already looking tough for the class of 2025, given the steep hiring slump in industries like tech, finance, and consulting. But now, as Musk takes a chainsaw to the government, many college seniors are in panic mode. Some have seen their offers at federal agencies rescinded; others have received no word on jobs they applied to months ago. It's not just government positions that are taking a hit — it's jobs at a whole host of businesses, nonprofits, and universities that rely on federal funding and contracts. And going to graduate school — the traditional backup plan for students during times of economic instability — may not even be an option, if the Department of Education winds up being unable to deliver financial aid in a timely fashion. As the government is slashed to the bone in the name of efficiency, the careers of many Gen Zers could suffer for years to come. "The impact is broad scale," says Saskia Campbell, the executive director of university career services at George Mason University. "There is this sense of grief, of loss of opportunity. This is the first year I'm actually concerned." To make matters worse, the outlook is likely to get even more dismal in the months ahead, as President Donald Trump's tariff wars spur companies to hold off on hiring. "Two years ago, the bulk of the uncertainty and fear was in Big Tech," says Briana Randall, the executive director of the career and internship center at the University of Washington. "Now it feels uncertain in a lot of areas." All of that leaves America's soon-to-be new grads unsure of where to turn. Sarina Parsapasand, a public policy major who's graduating from the University of Southern California this spring, was hoping to land a job in government service. But now, given the chaos in Washington, she's switched to trying to land a job in the private sector. "I have bills to pay," she says. "I can't take the risk of being in a job that doesn't guarantee the stability for me to live my life." It's a sentiment I hear over and over again from the students I speak with. "The job market just seems super unstable in almost any field," says Katie Schwartz, a sophomore at Tulane. "It's less about finding a job you really love now and more just about finding a job that's going to give you job stability." I'm impressed by the clear-eyed pragmatism of these students — but I'm also saddened by how old they sound. Isn't job stability what you look for when you're middle-aged, with a mortgage to pay and kids to support? When I graduated from college in 2009 without a full-time job, I was panicked but still idealistic. These kids, in contrast, seem hardened by all the chaos they've endured from a young age. In high school, they watched their parents get laid off in the pandemic. In college, they watched older students struggle to land good jobs during the tech downturn — or worse, had their hard-won offers rescinded at the last minute. The upheaval and uncertainty have taught today's graduates to prepare for the worst. Over the past year, one college senior tells me, she's been intentionally neglecting her studies so she could focus exclusively on her job search, sending out as many as 15 applications a day. The hustle paid off with three offers, including one she accepted from a government contractor. It's her "dream job," she says, because it would enable her to make a real difference in the world. But now, given the chaos in Washington, she's leaning toward reneging on the offer and accepting a position at a finance company. (That's why she asked me not to use her name.) "I try to keep an optimistic outlook," she tells me. But when I ask her how she feels about taking her first steps into adulthood, she doesn't sound optimistic at all. "It makes me pretty nervous," she says. "I think a lot of people in my generation have accepted that we're not going to live the same quality of life our parents provided us." During hard economic times, we expect to hear stories about people losing their jobs. But the greatest casualties often end up being the young people who don't have jobs to lose in the first place. Hiring freezes hurt them the most, making it impossible for them to even get their foot in the door. And research shows just how long a shadow that can cast on someone's career. Five years after the Great Recession, my generation of millennials was earning 11% less than Gen Xers were at a comparable age. And our net worth fell 40% behind theirs, forcing us to delay many of life's biggest milestones: buying a home, starting a family, saving for retirement. The effects go far beyond money. Students who graduated into the 1982 recession, for example, wound up with fewer kids and more divorces than those who entered better job markets. Even more shocking, the research shows, they were more likely to die early. Whatever gains in efficiency Trump hopes to achieve from DOGE, its most lasting legacy may end up being the harm it inflicts on the careers — and perhaps even the life spans — of his youngest constituents. That leaves college seniors like Kim scrambling to find a foothold in a job market that is stacked against them. Many companies have already filled their entry-level positions, if they're hiring new grads at all. And he's now competing not only with his fellow students, but also with the flood of young government workers who have been laid off by DOGE — workers who have more experience than he does. As graduation nears, he's trying not to panic. But it's hard to retain a sense of hope when even lower-paying jobs in public service are no longer an option. "I'm not sure how my future's going to turn out," Kim tells me. And that, when you think about it, is a future that should worry us all. Aki Ito is a chief correspondent for Business Insider. Read the original article on Business Insider
