[231006] #FAW #Nissan #Quanergy

1.  China’s FAW becomes the first automaker to adopt in-vehicle lidar with Hesai

• • Chinese automaker FAW Group will use in-vehicle laser sensors from Hesai in a new Hongqi car model.
  • This deployment is set for mass delivery in the first half of 2025.
  • FAW’s use of these laser sensors in a production car is a first in the industry.
  • Most other automakers use roof-mounted lidar sensors for autonomous driving.
  • Hesai’s ET25 in-vehicle lidar system was released in April, offering a sleek design, aerodynamics, and acceleration performance.
  • The system ensures a clear view for the lidar through quick windshield wiper cleaning.
  • Hesai has grown to capture nearly half of the global lidar market in 2022, up from 42% the previous year, according to Yole Intelligence.

2. Driver hits pedestrian, pushing her into path of self-driving car in San Francisco

• • A hit-and-run driver struck a pedestrian in San Francisco, causing the pedestrian to be tossed into the path of a Cruise self-driving car.
  • The pedestrian was in critical condition according to a local hospital.
  • San Francisco police are investigating the collision, and it’s unclear who is at fault.
  • City officials have criticized autonomous cars for sometimes causing confusion and blocking emergency vehicles, while companies like Cruise and Waymo emphasize their safety records.
  • The California Department of Motor Vehicles is also investigating Cruise’s safety record.
  • The collision occurred at a busy intersection, with videos from Cruise indicating that the human-driven vehicle struck the pedestrian first.
  • Cruise’s vehicle braked aggressively after the initial impact to minimize further harm.
  • The Cruise vehicle had no passengers at the time.
  • In the past, human drivers have left the scenes of collisions involving autonomous vehicles.
  • Cruise, majority-owned by General Motors, is cooperating with the investigation and expressing concern for the injured pedestrian.

3. Nissan reveals new self-driving car tech partnership

• • Nissan has initiated a new autonomous driving research project focused on aiding drivers in residential and rural areas of the UK.
  • The project involves collaboration with transport and tech partners, including Connected Places Catapult, Humanising Autonomy, SBD Automotive, and TRL.
  • The primary goal is to prepare the UK supply chain for the broader adoption of autonomous driving technology.
  • Nissan’s development phase started in July, utilizing Leaf EVs for simulation scenarios and private test track testing.
  • Initial testing will continue for a few more months, with a focus on urban and complex rural roads.
  • Infrastructure such as CCTV in residential areas will be used to provide information to the autonomous vehicles for improved situational awareness.
  • Nissan aims to learn from on-road data and enhance vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) technologies.
  • The project will also assess autonomous driving technology’s performance on challenging rural roads.

4. BMW 7 Series Receives Approval Level 3 Automated Driving in Germany

• • The new BMW 7 Series has received approval from the Federal Motor Transport Authority for autonomous driving at speeds up to 60 km/h on motorways, reaching Level 3 autonomy, especially useful in traffic jams and slow-moving traffic.
  • In Level 3 autonomy, the driver is allowed to engage in activities like checking their smartphone, reading messages, or responding to emails, as long as the vehicle remains below 60 km/h or issues a warning prompting driver intervention.
  • BMW plans to mass-produce this Level 3 autonomous system before the end of 2023.
  • Under Level 3 autonomy, liability in the event of an accident shifts to the vehicle itself, and BMW assumes responsibility for any resulting damages.
  • Future plans include enabling Level 3 systems to operate at higher speeds, potentially up to 130 km/h in the coming years.
  • BMW also offers Level 2+ support for higher speeds (up to 130 km/h) in models like the new BMW 5 Series and i5, where the driver retains responsibility.

5. Quanergy Integrates Q-Track into Milestone Systems’ XProtect® VMS

• • Quanergy Solutions has integrated its 3D LiDAR security solution, Q-Track, with Milestone’s XProtect VMS (Video Management System).
  • This integration enables Q-Track to provide precise detection, tracking, and classification of objects to XProtect VMS.
  • The integration is bi-directional, allowing users to create zones from within XProtect, simplifying operator training.
  • The solution enhances security operations by offering intrusion detection, object location accuracy, and reducing false alarms.
  • Q-Track combines Quanergy’s long-range 3D LiDAR sensors with advanced perception software.
  • It addresses various security use cases, including perimeter intrusion detection, rooftop security, and mobile security towers.
  • The integration opens up new security applications beyond traditional police uses, such as critical infrastructure and data centers.
  • The system provides better situational awareness and precision for security operators in various sensitive environments.