[230714] #Vueron #Volkswagen #DMP

1. “Seoul City partners with Vueron Technology to introduce LiDAR-based Crowd Analysis Solution”

• • Vueron Technology has successfully completed on-site crowd analysis in collaboration with the Jongno-gu office in South Korea.
  • Their “Smart Crowd Analytics” (SCA) solution utilizes LiDAR technology for accurate crowd analysis.
  • The Ministry of Public Administration and Security has prioritized the construction of on-site crowd management systems.
  • Vueron’s SCA was selected by Jongno-gu for scientific and efficient crowd management.
  • The proof of concept was conducted using SCA and two LiDAR sensors, demonstrating high accuracy in object detection.
  • Vueron conducted a one-month on-site test in Ikseon-dong, showcasing congestion-based alarms and nighttime object detection.
  • Discussions are ongoing with other Seoul municipalities for the establishment of advanced crowd analysis systems.
  • Vueron’s CEO highlighted the cost-effectiveness of their LiDAR-based solution, with a low per capita service cost.
  • The company is considering implementing the solution for visitor tracking in urban areas and places with high visitor density.

2. Volkswagen Solidifies Partnership With Innoviz LiDAR For Autonomy

• • Innoviz has become a Tier 1 LiDAR supplier for Volkswagen, which is a significant milestone for the company.
  • Direct relationships between semiconductor and optics companies like Innoviz and OEMs like Volkswagen create transparency and efficiency in the supply chain.
  • The initial design win is with the Audi brand, providing an opportunity for expansion into other Volkswagen brands.
  • Being recognized as a Tier 1 supplier by Volkswagen enhances Innoviz’s credibility with other OEMs.
  • Volkswagen emphasizes the importance of collaboration and transparency in selecting LiDAR suppliers, considering technical performance, pricing, project management capabilities, and future electronic platform requirements.
  • Innoviz had to undergo intensive audits in manufacturing, costs, quality, and production strategy to become a Tier 1 supplier to Audi.
  • The partnership allows Innoviz to leverage an automotive-certified contract manufacturer and gain faster access to automotive markets.
  • Innoviz’s position as a Tier 1 supplier positions them as a prime choice for LiDAR in supporting L3 and L4 autonomy for Volkswagen models.

3. HCLTech acquires German autonomous driving tech firm for $279 million

• • HCLTech, India’s third-largest IT services firm, has acquired German automotive engineering services provider ASAP Group for €251.1 million ($279.72 million) in an all-cash deal.
  • The acquisition aims to strengthen HCLTech’s portfolio in areas like autonomous driving, e-mobility, and connectivity, as well as expand its presence in key automotive markets in Europe, the Americas, and Japan.
  • ASAP Group, founded in 2010 and based in Ingolstadt, Germany, specializes in future-oriented automotive technologies and serves top automotive OEMs and tier-1 suppliers.
  • The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed by September 2023.
  • HCLTech’s focus on core engineering and the alignment of ASAP Group’s capabilities with their vision for the future of mobility were key factors in the acquisition.
  • HCLTech’s investment in ASAP Group demonstrates its commitment to the German market and its intention to nurture local talent and innovation.
  • ASAP Group’s CEO expressed confidence in the combination of HCLTech and ASAP’s engineering and technology performance, expecting it to bring advantages to the global automotive industry.
  • HCLTech recently reported its earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 2024, with a year-on-year net profit growth of 7.6% but a sequential decline of 11.2% and a slower order book of $1.56 billion for the quarter.

4. Pony.ai bags first driverless road test permit in Shanghai’s Pudong New Area

• • Pony.ai has obtained one of the first batch of road test permits for autonomous vehicles without drivers onboard in Shanghai’s Pudong New Area.
  • This adds to Pony.ai’s previous permits for fully driverless passenger-carrying in Beijing and Guangzhou, and unmanned autonomous driving testing in Shenzhen.
  • The permit allows Pony.ai to conduct open road tests for self-driving autonomous vehicles in Shanghai’s Pudong New Area.
  • Pony.ai has achieved several milestones this year, including “full vehicle driverless” demonstration permits in Beijing, a remote-monitored passenger-carrying pilot permit in Guangzhou, and an unmanned testing permit in Shenzhen.
  • Obtaining the driverless road test permit in Shanghai indicates that Pony.ai has begun driverless testing in the core urban areas of major first-tier cities in China.

5. iNavi Systems Partners with Global High-Precision Mapping Company to Enter Autonomous Driving Market

• • Thinkware’s subsidiary, Inavi Systems, has partnered with Dynamic Map Platform (DMP) Group to jointly develop autonomous HD mapping business and technology.
  • The partnership aims to provide autonomous driving and mobility solutions through the integration of high-definition (HD) and advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) maps.
  • The integrated maps will offer precise driving services with 15cm accuracy in areas where HD maps are available, utilizing Inavi Systems’ Standard Definition (SD) ADAS maps in other areas.
  • The collaboration will supply automakers and mobility solution companies with upgraded platform services and contribute to the development of digital twin modeling technology for smart cities.
  • The partnership recognizes the importance of high-accuracy HD maps for reliable and safe autonomous driving, especially as the level of autonomy advances.
  • Inavi Systems has been selected for government-organized autonomous driving technology innovation projects and aims to commercialize Level 4 autonomous driving technology by 2025.
  • DMP Group is a provider of HD maps and software for advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous vehicles, with a presence in Asia, North America, Europe, and the Middle East.
  • DMP’s HD maps have been recognized for supporting stable autonomous driving, and the company has customers that include global automakers and IT companies.