[230414] #Innoviz #Ouster #Waymo

1. Innoviz and Ascendtek partner to grow LiDAR sales

• • Innoviz Technologies, a leading provider of high-performance, solid-state LiDAR sensors and perception software, has signed a distribution agreement with AscendTek, a leading provider of electronic components and solutions in Asia.
  • The partnership will help Innoviz expand its market reach and meet the growing demand for LiDAR sensors in the Asian market.
  • The partnership will provide AscendTek with access to Innoviz’s portfolio of LiDAR sensors and perception software, enabling the company to offer a complete solution to customers in the region.
  • The partnership will also enable Innoviz to leverage AscendTek’s expertise and established distribution network in Asia to reach a broader customer base and accelerate its growth in the region.

2. US union opposes driverless trucks waiver for Waymo, Aurora

• • The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, one of the largest labor unions in the United States, is opposing the exemption sought by Waymo and Aurora, which would allow their autonomous trucks to bypass some safety standards.
  • The exemption is intended to allow Waymo and Aurora to operate driverless trucks without having to meet certain federal safety requirements that apply to traditional trucks.
  • The Teamsters union argues that the exemption would compromise public safety by allowing autonomous trucks to operate without appropriate safety measures.
  • The union also argues that the exemption would lead to job losses for truck drivers and other workers in the industry.
  • Waymo and Aurora have applied for the exemption to expedite the deployment of their autonomous truck technology and compete with other companies in the space.
  • The exemption would allow Waymo and Aurora to operate autonomous trucks without features such as rearview mirrors, windshields, and other safety equipment that are currently required for traditional trucks.

3. Ford brings ‘hands-free’ driving to UK motorways

• • Ford has announced that it will launch its “Level 2” hands-free driving system, BlueCruise, in Scotland later this year, ahead of the system’s release in England and Europe.
  • BlueCruise is designed to provide hands-free driving on pre-mapped, divided highways, allowing drivers to take their hands off the wheel and their eyes off the road.
  • The system uses advanced camera and radar sensors to enable the vehicle to control its speed, braking, and steering while in hands-free mode.
  • BlueCruise will initially be available on Ford’s Mustang Mach-E electric SUV and the F-150 pickup truck.
  • The launch of BlueCruise in Scotland is part of Ford’s efforts to accelerate the adoption of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and prepare for the introduction of autonomous vehicles.
  • The Scottish government has welcomed the launch of BlueCruise, which is expected to help improve road safety and reduce emissions.

4. Lidar tech company Ouster sues Hesai Group over patents

• • LiDAR technology company Ouster has filed a lawsuit against Chinese rival Hesai Group, alleging patent infringement and seeking an injunction to stop Hesai from selling certain LiDAR products in the United States.
  • The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, accuses Hesai of infringing on five of Ouster’s patents related to LiDAR technology.
  • Ouster alleges that Hesai has “brazenly copied” its technology and is using it to produce and sell competing LiDAR products in the U.S.
  • The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and an injunction to prevent Hesai from selling certain LiDAR products in the U.S.
  • Hesai has not yet commented on the lawsuit.

5. Innoviz receives ‘several hundred unit’ Lidar order from OEM

• • Innoviz, a LiDAR technology company, has received an order for several hundred units of its InnovizOne LiDAR sensor from an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in the autonomous vehicle industry.
  • The order is a significant milestone for Innoviz, which has been working to establish itself as a leading player in the LiDAR market.
  • InnovizOne is a high-performance LiDAR sensor that is designed to deliver accurate and reliable 3D sensing for autonomous vehicles, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and other applications.
  • The sensor uses advanced optics, MEMS, and software to enable high-resolution, long-range sensing in a compact form factor.
  • The identity of the OEM that placed the order has not been disclosed, but Innoviz said that it is a “global leader” in the autonomous vehicle industry.