[231103] #Hesai #Tesla #Aurora

1. TuSimple completes inaugural L4 autonomous truck testing on Tokyo-Nagoya expressway

• • TuSimple, an autonomous driving technology company, completed its first-ever Level 4 (L4) autonomous truck testing on the “Tokyo-Nagoya” expressway in Japan on October 27, 2023.
  • The testing started in January 2023 on the Tomei/Shin-Tomei Expressway and covered approximately 270 kilometers between Atsugi Minami IC and Toyota JCT, including complex scenarios like long tunnels.
  • The autonomous truck traveled over 41,605 kilometers during the tests.
  • TuSimple plans to increase the number of test trucks and expand the test route from Tokyo to Osaka by 2024.
  • Previously, TuSimple showcased its “TS-Box,” a cost-effective, all-in-one autonomous driving product, at the Japan Mobility Show 2023, targeting commercial and passenger vehicle OEM customers for high-performance autonomous driving solutions.

2. Hesai’s Pandar128 Becomes the World’s First Lidar to Obtain ISO/SAE 21434 Cybersecurity Certification

• • Hesai Technology’s high-performance lidar Pandar128, designed for L4 autonomous mobility applications, has received ISO/SAE 21434 cybersecurity product certification from TÜV Rheinland, making it the world’s first lidar to achieve this distinction.
  • Pandar128 also holds ASPICE CL2 certification, ISO 26262 ASIL B product certification, and ISO/SAE 21434 product certification simultaneously, making it an industry-leading lidar product with comprehensive safety assurance for autonomous vehicles.
  • The ISO/SAE 21434 standard is an automotive cybersecurity management standard jointly formulated by ISO and SAE, addressing road vehicle safety and cybersecurity issues throughout the product life cycle.
  • Hesai prioritizes safety and cybersecurity, embedding cybersecurity standards into its product development process, implementing core technologies like digital signing, encryption, and authentication, and ensuring end-to-end security of point cloud data transmission from the lidar to the vehicle.
  • Hesai has also received ISO/IEC 27001:2013 information security management certification and TISAX AL3 security standard certification, highlighting its industry-leading standards in cybersecurity, information security, and data protection.

3. Efficient waste management with LiDAR technology

• • Levenseat Renewable Energy Ltd., a Scottish waste management and recycling company, faced challenges in efficiently managing inventory and logistics in its waste treatment and energy generation facility due to constant material movement.
  • Levenseat implemented a LiDAR-based Volume Monitoring solution from Blickfeld, a Munich-based LiDAR manufacturer. 
  • This solution provided real-time material data by emitting laser pulses and creating 3D surface images to accurately calculate volume.
  • Only four Blickfeld LiDAR sensors, model “Cube 1,” were installed on the facility’s ceiling, and the data was made accessible through user-friendly dashboards.
  • The LiDAR-based solution significantly improved efficiency in storage and logistics processes, optimized truck scheduling, machine utilization, and reduced processing delays.
  • Plans are in place for further implementations of LiDAR technology at additional Levenseat locations.

4. Tesla wins first US Autopilot trial involving fatal crash

• • Tesla has won the first U.S. trial over allegations that its Autopilot driver assistant feature was responsible for a fatal accident, a significant victory for the automaker amid multiple lawsuits and federal investigations related to its technology.
  • The civil lawsuit involved a 2019 crash in which a Tesla Model 3 veered off a highway, struck a palm tree, and burst into flames, resulting in the death of the vehicle’s owner and serious injuries to the passengers.
  • The jury found that the vehicle did not have a manufacturing defect, and Tesla was not liable for the accident. The verdict highlights the argument that the ultimate responsibility for accidents involving Autopilot rests with the drivers.
  • Tesla has faced scrutiny and legal challenges related to its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) systems, but this outcome suggests that jurors are inclined to believe that drivers must maintain control and responsibility for their vehicles when using these technologies.
  • While this is a notable legal victory for Tesla, it also underscores the need for regulatory clarity and oversight regarding autonomous and semi-autonomous driving technologies.

5. Aurora opens first commercial route for driverless trucks

• • Aurora Innovation has opened its first lane for driverless trucks connecting Dallas and Houston, supported by a commercial trucking terminal in Houston, in preparation for a 2024 launch.
  • This move allows Aurora to focus on integrating its driver-ready trucks into customers’ operations in the coming year.
  • Aurora plans to operate the terminals around the clock, supporting more than 75 commercial loads for pilot customers, with Command Centers staffed to monitor and guide the fleet.
  • Aurora’s expansion in the driverless trucking space comes amid federal investigations into General Motors’ autonomous vehicle unit, Cruise, and concerns related to autonomous vehicles in California.
  • Aurora has a portfolio of products, including the Aurora Driver self-driving technology and the driverless trucking subscription service Aurora Horizon.
  • The company has partnerships with Uber, Toyota, Volvo, PACCAR, and other companies.