Welcome, this industry newsletter shares key market changes, in a twice-monthly publication, curated by Jeremiah Owyang, Founder of Catalyst Companies™, you can subscribe to the email newsletter on the footer of the homepage.

Uber’s OTTO Takes Autonomous to the Assembly Line
Bringing the latest in autonomous vehicles indoors, Clearpath Robotics has put a self-driving cart in between factory assembly lines and the stacks of materials needed to manufacture today’s goods. OTTO can map its own route and recharge itself, and now an extra $30 million is set to take OTTO into many more factories, warehouses, and distribution centers — as well as develop the next generation of “profound” innovations for the global supply chain. It’s a start toward the technology that industry forecasters predict will replace 7% of American labor by 2025. Read more about self-driving vehicles in factories on Futurism.

Next:Economy Touts the Reign of Humans in a Robotic World
The gradual rise of robots in the economy of the future will enhance and empower — not eliminate — the human race, according to some of the top minds pioneering the Autonomous World. Their thoughts took center stage at the recent Next:Economy conference in San Francisco. Among the takeaways were the observation of a shift to tribal, tech-powered neighborhoods; the way ahead for social good companies as opposed to corporations that don’t return capital to the economy; the coming efficiencies of cooperation with AI; the challenges of economic depressions and authoritarian leaders; and Silicon Valley’s need to engage with regulators. Read all about the Next:Economy perspectives and Catalyst Companies’ initial take in Founder Jeremiah Owyang’s live notes.

Insiders Spy Google’s Self-Driving Minivan Prototypes
The first prototypes from the partnership between Google’s self-driving system and Chrysler Pacifica hybrid minivans were recently spied in a Mountain View parking garage. Google has announced plans to equip 100 Pacificas, which have an electric range of 30 miles and a “robust electrical architecture” well-suited for the integration of autonomous driving technology. The prototypes feature a roof-mounted sensor suite and fender-embedded sensors. Once fully deployed, the 100 minivans will dwarf the rest of Google’s self-driving fleet, which currently features 24 SUVs and 34 other vehicles. Read more about the prototype discovery from electrek.

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