FutureLink, a key part in the second phase of METRO’s AV testing program, is an autonomous zero-emission shuttle that can operate on city streets, providing residents with first and last-mile connections between Texas Southern University and METRO’s Eastwood Transit Center. The mid-size L4 autonomous, zero-emission shuttle bus can seat up to 14 passengers and accommodate up to two wheelchairs. Funding for the project was provided through the Federal Transit Administration’s Accelerating Innovative Mobility program. The second phase of METRO’s pilot program is expected to run through October 2024, with a final report to be completed by March 2025.

More broadly, METRO is a public transit provider for the Harris County region and offers various transportation services. Included in its transit network are local bus, METRORail, Park & Ride commuter buses, the METROLift paratransit service, HOV/HOT Express Lanes, curb2curb microtransit service and METRO Star Vanpool.

The stack is primarily based on deep learning AI processing for all of its modular components, including environmental perception, sensor fusion and vehicle path planning. It was designed in conjunction with the company’s CV3-AD AI domain controller SoC to ensure it runs optimally on the SoC’s CVflow AI engines – minimizing power consumption and the processing load for its on-chip Arm cores. The SoCs also provide optimal processing for vision and radar sensing and fusion, while Ambarella’s stack more broadly offers a flexible implementation model, enabling OEMs to leverage any or all of its modules in combination with their own software.

A key feature of the AI-based software stack highlighted by Ambarella is its deep-learning-based planner, a dynamic vehicle path planning module that enables a more natural driving experience. In developing and refining this functionality, Ambarella leveraged its evolving R&D vehicle fleet which allowed the deep planner module to be trained with data based on a wide variety of real-world scenarios. The latest vehicles in this fleet are equipped with a sensing suite consisting of mono and stereo cameras, as well as Ambarella’s Oculii 4D imaging radar, with the CV3-AD processing the data sent from these sensors. While highlighting this configuration, Ambarella noted that its solutions are flexible to support OEM’s specific sensing suites (including the option for adding LiDAR).

Another feature of the stack highlighted by Ambarella was its requirement of standard-definition maps, eliminating the need for pre-generated HD maps. Here, HD maps are generated in real time using live environmental data fed from the sensing suite. This capability offers support in handling difficult AD scenarios, such as downtown areas in large cities with roundabouts, narrow roads with parked vehicles, heavy traffic, construction, and a high density of pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users.

The CV3-AD SoCs run Ambarella’s entire AD stack with enhanced power consumption, AI performance per watt, and simplified thermal management. The company said that, because its software and hardware are designed to work optimally together, OEMs can sufficiently integrate additional software to create differentiated features, including those for functional safety.

The permits obtained are the Milestone Testing Regime Level 1 License for Autonomous Vehicles on Public Roads, referred to as the M1 license, and the T1 Assessment License for AVs on Public Paths, referred to as the T1 License. Through these licenses, the company’s Robobus AV can begin conducting tests on a larger scale along public roads in Singapore, covering areas such as One North and the National University of Singapore.

The assessment to achieve the M1 License covers various autonomy-related objectives, including basic autonomous driving functions, static obstacle recognition, dynamic obstacle avoidance, redundancy in vehicle control by safety driver, overall vehicle safety performance and more. OEMs looking to obtain the license for their AVs must complete these tasks within test facilities that replicate common urban road traffic scenarios found in Singapore.

WeRide’s obtainment of the licenses follows the signing of strategic cooperation agreements with two Singaporean companies, Woodlands Transport Services and EZ Buzz, to expand its network of local partners. In the future, the company will continue to launch its autonomous driving technology, products, and services in more countries and regions, with the goal of enhancing urban living through this combined offering.

In addition to creating AD software, TIER IV is also involved in the design and development of several AV components and features, including the ADS (Autonomous Driving System), VCU (Vehicle Control Unit), Drive-By-Wire, and IVI. With its partners, Tier IV will continue to develop VCUs, operating systems, and electrification modules as it aims to supply advanced E/E architecture for autonomous vehicles.

The funding round was led by 83North, with new investors Temasek and Isuzu joining Woven Capital (the growth fund of Toyota) Nvidia, and Artofin. The provider’s major existing shareholders also participated, including MoreTech, Nationwide, Volvo Group VC, Jump Capital, Next Gear Ventures, and OurCrowd. Foretellix will use the funds to accelerate the development of its expanding product portfolio, and address the growing demand for its solutions.

Foretellix’s safety-driven V&V platform Foretify is used by its automotive customers to accelerate the development and deployment of automated driving systems. It provides a unified V&V flow that combines real-world test drives and virtual simulation in one platform. Foretify likewise helps development, testing, and safety engineers at OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, and autonomous vehicle providers to enhance collaboration and efficiency across their AV and ADAS projects.

Through NorthStar, Magna will have access to 5G millimeter wave (mmWave) technology that enables low latency gigabit speeds, and enhanced connectivity for new ADAS trials. This technology also enables and supports ongoing research into joint sensing and communication systems.

Magna’s test track will feature the 5G network – delivering gigabit data speeds and ultra-low latency. Leveraging the 26 GHz frequency band and 400 MHz bandwidth, this network will play a key role in the company’s driving automation and driver support systems that rely on real-time data from vehicle sensors. NorthStar’s 5G network is powered by Ericsson dual-mode 5G Core, which connects to Telia’s existing public 5G network. This interconnectivity will enable Magna to benefit from high-speed connectivity across large geographical areas.

In the EX90, Volvo Cars is both introducing and standardizing a DUS, which combines a dual camera interior monitoring system with a capacitive steering wheel. Powered by Smart Eye’s advanced AI algorithms, which are capable of analyzing driver eye, face, head, and body movements, the system enables a deeper understanding on the state of all vehicle occupants, with an emphasis on the driver. Here, the system monitors the driver’s eye patterns for any signs that they are not entirely concentrated on the driving task.

The integration of Smart Eye’s system will allow the Volvo EX90 to warn the driver, and act when necessary, while remaining non-intrusive if the driver does not need assistance.

Since gaining a similar approval to carry out driverless road tests in October 2022, WeRide gradually gained permits to carry out ‘unmanned remote stage’ demonstrations. These began with high-speed road testing to and back from an airport in the city, before scaling up to the early iterations of its commercial operations.

Users can hail a WeRide robotaxi within a designed AV pilot zone located in Yizhuang using the WeRide Go smartphone app, which also shows the estimated cost of the trip. The robotaxi will then arrive at the user-designated pick-up point as passengers verify their identity by scanning a QR code. The service scope will cover a variety of popular destinations around the city, including subway stations, residential areas, office and industrial parks, with a total of 242 pick-up and drop-off stops. One robotaxi will be able to serve a maximum of three passengers, while the service itself will operate from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

In the future, WeRide will continue to increase the number of robotaxis in its commercial fleet and add new pick-up and drop-off stops. Looking ahead, it will also accelerate the commercialization of various types of self-driving products, such as its Robobus, Robosweeper and Robovan, to create an efficient and convenient travel ecosystem and make its driverless services more accessible.

While highlighting the impact of the updates on the new Range Rover, Range Rover Sports, and Defender models, the corporation confirmed that they can also be deployed to previous vehicle generations – including those out of warranty. Here, more than 65,000 eligible vehicles from MY 2018 onwards have received security updates through their retailer, with the broader rollout carried out by JLR contacting clients directly and encouraging remaining owners to install these updates as soon as possible.

JLR’s investment includes updates to the Body Control Module (BCM) that prevents thieves driving away a vehicle without a key. While criminals had previously hacked the keyless entry system, enabling them to start the engine, JLR’s updates contain embedded technology to prevent this.

In addition to the updates, JLR advised customers to use every available measure to ensure their vehicles remain protected, including the ‘Remote’ smartphone apps for its Jaguar and Land Rover brands. The connected service apps offer security features such as vehicle lock reminders and a Guardian Mode that monitors the vehicle and provides an alert in the event of an unauthorized interaction.

At the HMGICS, a range of new technologies – including advanced automation, real-time monitoring and data evaluation – will be used to manufacture the robotaxi as well as other EVs from the Hyundai Motor Group. The Singapore facility is also equipped with dedicated testing facilities and a calibration center that will together support the production of future Hyundai AVs. Motional confirmed that it will position a team of its employees at the facility to assist with production, critical diagnostics, software development, calibration, and validation tasks to ensure that finished examples of the Ioniq 5 robotaxi are ready for deployment.

More broadly, the HMGICS introduces Hyundai’s new smart urban mobility hub concept, which includes a flexible, automated production system while enhancing interactions between EV buyers, their vehicles, and the Hyundai brand. In addition to leveraging a mix of people, robotics, and AI in a new manufacturing approach, the facility’s digital twin Meta-Factory technology works to rapidly meet changing customer demands and production requirements. Through this approach, the facility is capable of manufacturing up to 30,000 EVs annually.

Today, the facility produces both the passenger and robotaxi versions of the Ioniq 5 EV and, starting in 2024, will begin producing Hyundai’s forthcoming Ioniq 6 EV. In the long-term, the OEM will also use HMGICS as a testbed for developing its future mobility solutions, such as Purpose Built Vehicles.

The production of the Ioniq 5 robotaxi is the latest step in the AV’s development, following a year-long testing period of prototype vehicles in the U.S. and Singapore. This initial fleet recently completed a series of evaluations around the quality, performance, and maturity of its autonomous driving technology. Commercial production of the Ioniq 5 robotaxi is underway, and the first models have already arrived at Motional’s facility in the U.S. The vehicles are currently undergoing Motional’s testing and safety validation processes before beginning commercial service in 2024.

One of the key safety features found in VinFast VF 8 is the OEM’s Active Safety System, which combines various ADAS such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, and an Automatic Emergency Braking. Together, these features work to detect potential dangers and assist the driver in preventing collisions.

If a crash does occur, however, VinFast has implemented a series of solutions aimed at protecting passengers. Within its architecture, for example, a reinforced battery pack is structurally integrated into the chassis – enhancing rigidity while ensuring safety in a collision scenario. The VF 8 is also equipped with an advanced digital security system that can alert emergency services in the event of an accident. Here, the Auto E-call and an Emergency SOS button work to provide the user with quick access to first responders. The VF 8 also features 11 airbags for comprehensive protection, with these additional airbags reducing the amount of force exerted on the seating positions in the event of a collision.

Within the cabin, the VF 8 also offers an on-board Driver Monitoring System, which utilizes on-board cameras and AI to scan and analyze driver behaviors that could compromise safety, such as using a cell phone while driving, becoming drowsy, or removing their hands from the wheel. Upon detecting these patterns, the system alerts drivers – helping them stay safe and focused behind the wheel.

The partnership will leverage up to seven shuttles to transport goods autonomously transported between a GE Appliances manufacturing facility and warehouse in Selmer, TN from Monday to Thursday. For Einride, these operations will help showcase how its freight capacity as a service (FaaS) model can be enabled with autonomous vehicles. This long-term deployment follows the company’s prior pilots with GE Appliances – first in a gated environment at the company’s Appliance Park headquarters in 2021, followed by a driverless public road pilot in Selmer in 2022.

The Einride autonomous vehicle forms part of a larger interoperability project in Selmer working to create an automated logistics flow to improve employee ergonomics and safety around loading docks while increasing efficiency. Supporting the partnership between Einride and GE Appliances will be technologies from GE Appliances partners, including TaskWatch and Slip Robotics. Here, TaskWatch’s AI cameras trigger a control board to raise and lower the dock doors, dock plate, lock the Einride autonomous vehicle into place and notify the SlipBot autonomous mobile robot that the Einride vehicle is ready for loading. The electric-powered SlipBot then autonomously loads and unloads the vehicle.

When activated, the new function will allow the vehicle to gain control of the driving task in certain situations while independently monitoring speed, distance to the vehicle ahead, and lane positioning. Here, the BMW Personal Pilot L3 will allow drivers to focus on other in-vehicle activities (such as e-mails, telephone calls, or engaging with digital video streaming services) when travelling at up to 37 mph (60 km/h) on motorways with structurally separated carriageways. The OEM confirmed that it will be available to order for the new 7 Series (excluding the i7 eDrive50 and i7 M70 xDrive) from December to be fitted in vehicles from next March. The function will launch exclusively in Germany and be priced at €6,000 ($6,407 / £5,234).

As the user drives on a motorway compatible with BMW Personal Pilot L3, symbols appear on the display behind the steering wheel that indicate its availability. The user can then activate and deactivate the system using a button on the steering wheel, though must be ready to take back control of the driving task at any time – either as soon as the situation on the road requires them to or if the stretch of road suitable for using the function comes to an end. Visual and auditory signals let the driver know they must take over control in this manner, with the vehicle brought to a standstill if they do not respond.

During its automated driving operations, the function leverages a live HD map with precise routes that is permanently aligned with accurate GPS location-finding and works with 360° sensors to ensure exact positioning and monitoring of the area around the vehicle. In the new BMW 7 Series, the BMW Personal Pilot L3 is underpinned by a new software stack, a powerful computing platform and a 5G link-up to the BMW Cloud. In addition to a series of cameras, vehicles specified with it are also fitted with ultrasonic sensors, radar sensors, and a sensitive 3D LiDAR sensor for monitoring the area around the vehicle, and the situation on the road ahead.

Announced through King Charles’ inaugural King’s Speech as monarch, the bill presents a series of measures that will, together, enable and facilitate the safe deployment of self-driving vehicles on UK roads. The government has said that the bill will support a UK AV market worth up to £42 billion ($51.4 billion / €48.1 billion) and create 38,000 jobs by 2035.

The bill consists of three key objectives that will be achieved through a series of measures – the first being the establishment of a new safety framework for self-driving vehicles. At the core of this framework will be a threshold for self-driving vehicles. This will require any company looking to deploy an AV onto UK roads to ensure that their vehicle can drive itself safely and follow traffic rules without the need for human intervention. If the vehicle meets these conditions, then it will be classified as a self-driving vehicle and authorized for use on UK roads. This authorization will be granted by the UK’s Department of Transport and its agencies, who will be given new powers to authorize AVs and ensure they comply with the government’s safety standards.

Once a vehicle has been authorized to operate, the second measure under this objective will ensure that AV companies are held accountable for their operations. Here, companies must adhere to the government’s safety requirements from the point their self-driving vehicles are introduced onto UK roads. If they fail to do so, they will face consequences such as fines, requirements to take corrective action, suspension of operation, and criminal offences in more serious cases. Under a separate measure, if an incident involving an autonomous vehicle does take place, the bill will set out new processes to investigate these incidents and ensure that the key findings from these investigations will inform its safety framework.

Supporting this framework further is a dedicated measure that will work to digitalize Traffic Regulation Orders. This will require local authorities to send data on legal orders, such as speed limits, road closures, and parking bay designations, to a central publication platform. The data fed into this platform will then support the development of a digital map encompassing the UK’s road network, which itself will inform and support safe AV operations.

The second major objective of the bill will be to ensure a clear sense of legal liability around self-driving vehicles. Here, the government will hold companies looking to operate AVs in the UK legally responsible for how their vehicles drive and define a set of responsibilities for them to follow. At the same time, the bill will ensure that AVs from these companies drive according to existing British laws, while requiring them to report certain safety-related data to the authorization authority and in-use regulator and comply with further laws relevant to AVs – including those around data and environmental protection.

Another measure in this part of the bill relates to the individuals occupying self-driving vehicles, who the bill will provide with immunity from prosecution while a self-driving vehicle is carrying out the driving task. However, the individual will still legally bear non-driving responsibilities – such as maintaining appropriate insurance for the vehicle and ensuring proper loading – while remaining accountable for any part of the journey in which they are driving.

The third and final objective of the bill is to ensure that consumers are protected. Working in tandem with the safety threshold, this area of the bill will prohibit misleading marketing practices around AVs. Only vehicles that meet the government’s threshold will be permitted to be advertised as a self-driving vehicle, with the driver being responsible for other vehicles at all times. Here, the bill similarly highlights that anyone using a self-driving vehicle must be aware of their legal responsibilities in doing so.

While the majority of the bill’s measures will apply to all three constituent countries in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland), the government has said that the Digitalising Traffic Regulations Order will only apply to England. The legislation as a whole is one of many announced in the King’s Speech that together represent the UK government’s priorities for the next year.

By offering design, simulation, and on-site testing support for safety evaluations, the toolkit will support autonomous vehicle manufacturers, local governments, operators, and evaluation institutions. Through it, Tier IV is ultimately aiming to help accelerate the implementation of autonomous driving at scale.

The all-equity round was led by the NTT Group, with further funding from autonomous technology company’s existing financial and strategic investors – including Toyota Ventures, Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Company, State Farm Ventures, BMW i Ventures, Cyrus Capital and Trucks Venture Capital. Following its prior Series B and Series C funding rounds, this latest round brings May Mobility’s total funding to approximately $300 million.

The company plans to use the proceeds to accelerate the advancement and commercialization of its AV technology and services in the U.S, Canada and Japan. The funding will also help the company to scale operations and reach profitability.

Through its investment in the company, the NTT Group acquired the necessary rights to distribute May Mobility’s proprietary autonomous vehicle technology throughout Japan. Together, NTT and May Mobility will work with the Toyota Motor Corporation to develop an autonomous driving ecosystem, partnering with local stakeholders to deploy May Mobility-equipped AVs across a variety of vehicle platforms. The companies will further leverage May Mobility’s technology to enhance Japanese transportation networks.

Together, the companies will collaborate on enhanced high-resolution radar systems for automotive applications by leveraging Distributed Aperture Radar (DAR), a technology developed by Zendar that enables a simplified system solution approach. Through DAR, the resolution of high-performance radar systems can be enhanced while eliminating the need for thousands of antenna channels. It collects and combines information from multiple radar sensors on a vehicle to create a larger effective antenna that achieves heightened sensing resolution. DAR also enables high-angular resolution below 0.5 degrees, providing capabilities similar to a LiDAR that support precise mapping of the environment, and offers further potential to enhance resolution through flexible mounting techniques.

The jointly-developed radar solutions will be based on NXP’s S32R radar processor platform and RFCMOS SAF8x one-chip SoCs – both of which are tailored to cover a variety of vehicle architectures and help accelerate the transition toward distributed architectures. The companies expect that OEMs and suppliers will equally benefit from high resolution systems developed with simplified standard radars, with reduced thermal complexity, and a smaller radar footprint for flexible and more convenient mounting.

The lane will be located on the I-45 highway, which operates between the two Texas cities. Much like its Dallas terminal, Aurora’s new terminal in Houston will work to support and services driverless trucks at a commercial scale. More broadly, the terminals house, maintain, prepare, inspect, and deploy its autonomous trucks between destinations.

A dedicated terminal blueprint implements a layout and list of features that ensure these terminals are ready for the commercial launch of driverless freight operations. Here, the blueprint is designed to maximize the time autonomous trucks are on the road hauling freight. On-site weigh stations, for example, support enhanced pre-trip inspections that ensure Aurora’s trucks are compliant with regulatory standards while allowing them to bypass inspection sites on the road.

Aurora’s Houston terminal is located in a logistics hub near the company’s pilot customers, including FedEx. This proximity allows Aurora to quickly integrate autonomous trucks into the middle-mile operations of these customers.

The collaboration will leverage Liftango’s shared mobility solutions and May Mobility’s AV fleet to optimize shared transit across cities and corporate campuses in the Americas, Europe and the Middle East. Here, the companies will collaborate on demand-responsive scheduling and routing optimization for autonomous fleets as they aim to create a positive impact by developing a safe, inclusive transit system catering to each community’s specific needs.

The partnership will enable vehicles equipped with May Mobility’s autonomous driving technology to operate between both demand-responsive and fixed-route services through Liftango’s technology platform. The companies are similarly aiming to help transit agencies and commercial campuses deliver enhanced, more reliable transportation experiences. Their partnership will also make it easier to expand transport services to customers who currently don’t have access due to mobility issues, are located in a rural location, or are subject to reduced services in their area.

The service will see Origin, Cruise’s proprietary AV designed for robotaxi use, pick up customers at a specified location and drive them to their destination. Much like Cruise’s existing service in the U.S., the Tokyo service will operate through a dedicated smartphone app which customers will use throughout the process – from hailing the robotaxi to paying for rides. The Origin AV itself was jointly developed by GM, Cruise, and Honda, and enabled by a multi-year partnership between GM and Honda – who in 2018 committed to investing $2 billion (€1.8 billion) into Cruise over a 12-year period. Inside, the AV does not have a driver seat or steering wheel – offering enhanced cabin space for up to six passengers, with three seats at both ends of the vehicle that allow these passengers to sit face to face.

For Cruise, the announcement marks a key step as its Origin AV enters a new international market. The expansion follows the GM subsidiary’s growth in the U.S., where its robotaxi service began limited operations in San Francisco before receiving the necessary permit to operate more regularly in the city. This service then expanded further across the country, with operations in select areas of Austin, Houston, and Phoenix alongside testing in Dallas, Nashville, and Los Angeles.

Targeting Tokyo, the robotaxi service spawned from the JV will aim to offer a new mobility experience for a broad range of customers in Japan – including businesspeople, families, and visitors. At launch, the companies will leverage a small fleet of Cruise Origin AVs to carry out operations, before increasing the size of this fleet to 500 units. Following this increase, GM, Cruise and Honda will then look to scale the service – extending its reach to areas outside of central Tokyo. Through it, the companies are ultimately aiming to address mobility issues currently facing Japan – such as the country’s shortage of bus and taxi drivers. In supporting the service and helping it to scale, GM, Cruise and Honda will continue to strengthen its partnerships with various stakeholders, including municipal governments and transportation service providers local to the Japan region.

The announcement of the JV and its robotaxi service was made at a special press event held by Honda ahead of the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo, where the Cruise Origin will be displayed at the OEM’s booth. The announcement also represents the latest step in a longer collaboration between GM and Honda that began in 2013 through the joint development of hydrogen fuel cell systems. This continued in 2020 as the Cruise Origin was revealed, before the companies more recently announced plans to co-develop cost-effective EVs for the North America market.