There are nearly 28 million small businesses in the United States. New businesses arise every day across the United States. Many of these startups end up failing due to financial reasons, market competition, or their ideas are a little too grandiose for the times.
The transportation industry involves some of the most innovative forms of technology — especially when it comes to the U.S. roads and waterways.
New Startups Shaking Up the Auto Industry
About $60 billion worth of vehicle maintenance goes unperformed every year. From auto maintenance to AI technology, these startups are gaining serious traction within the auto sector:
Nuro
This startup has already made a serious impact within the auto sector. Nuro has developed a new vehicle that is specifically used to deliver goods. Nuro’s prototype — R1 — doesn’t even have an area for passengers to sit, making it an exclusively autonomous delivery vehicle. If the R1 continues to see success, it could revolutionize specialized autonomous vehicles.
EV Safe Charge
EV Safe Charge works with a specific and popular subcategory of the auto industry: electric vehicles. This startup focusses on the actual act of charging these automobiles. EV Safe Charge develops infrastructure that improves charging electric vehicles, including the installation of at-home charging stations.
GhostWave
This new startup is very high tech. GhostWave manufacturers radar sensors that will be used in autonomous vehicles. Their technology differs from other manufactures because their sensors are not as affected by atmospheric interferences. With this innovative approach, radar sensors will help autonomous vehicles avoid collisions out on the road because obstacles can be more easily detected.
WayRay
Another new startup that is attempting to revolutionize the way both passengers and drivers get around the U.S. roadways. Their innovative approach is to enhance the visual experience through projecting advanced digital displays onto navigation systems inside the vehicle. This allows drivers to see upcoming environments — in real-time — and a more detailed visual when navigating a new city. Additionally, WayRay’s software highlights environmental landmarks and notable changes on the road.
Cognata
This startup works with virtual training technology in order to improve tech inside autonomous vehicles. Cognata develops virtual locales that mimic real conditions utilizing deep learning and mapping technology. Autonomous vehicle manufacturers can then use this testing software to improve their prototypes.
New Startups Shaking Up The Boating Industry
Over 15 million boats are currently in use in the United States. Though the boating industry isn’t as vast as the auto industry, it’s still a very lucrative sector. These new companies are doing their part to improve the boating and aquatic market:
Bixpy Jet
This company creates underwater jets that can be attached to paddleboards and kayaks in order to enhance speeds on the water. This jet is great for snorkelers, paddlers, and kayakers, since they’ll be able to cover more ground and can even reach up to seven miles per hour. This jet has a battery life of around 240 minutes, 10 forward speeds, and three reverse speeds.
OpenROV
This company began as a Kickstarter a few years ago and is now hoping to mass-produce their product — the Trident underwater drone — for public consumption. This drone will be able to explore deep underwater and potentially even find some buried treasures! OpenROV’s goal is to raise $50,000 through crowdfunding with pledgers ranges from $1 to over $5,000.
Boatsetter
This startup has recently announced a $10 million funding round to solidify itself as one of the premier peer-to-peer boat rental organizations in the world. Boatsetter recently just partnered with Geico and estimates the size of their niche sector to be quite large, as much as $50 billion. This innovative startup, which has already raised $31 million, focuses on rentals for between two and over a dozen passengers, as well as a range of boating options that can even include large vessels. It’s been described as “A bit like an Airbnb crossed with an Uber.”
There will certainly be more startups breaking into the auto and aquatic sector in the near future — but these companies are certainly worth checking out!
