Vueron Newsletter
No. 116
2024.05.17
| AEye, Accelight Technologies, and LighTekton Co. Announce Partnership to Bring Lidar Solutions to China | ||
| Cepton accelerates lidar development with $10M engineering contract | ||
| GATIK SECURES $41 MILLION CAD FROM ISUZU MOTORS AS PAIR EXPANDS PARTNERSHIP TO BUILD AUTONOMOUS TRUCKS | ||
| Baidu considers using Tesla robotaxi technology in China |
1. AEye, Accelight Technologies, and LighTekton Co. Announce Partnership to Bring Lidar Solutions to China
- AEye, Inc. partners with Accelight Technologies, Inc. (ATI) and LighTekton Co., Ltd. to deliver AEye’s 4Sight™ lidar solutions to the Chinese market.
- The collaboration aims to enhance autonomous trucking and railway systems in China.
- AEye’s 4Sight platform offers ultra-long-range lidar solutions designed for “safety at speed.”
- The platform aims to improve efficiency and safety in China’s public transportation systems.
- China is a leading market in lidar adoption, particularly in smart rail transit and autonomous trucking.
- ATI is a global company specializing in passive and active pluggable modules for various high-tech markets, including telecom and broadband.
- LighTekton is a high-tech enterprise based in Wuhan, China, focusing on photoelectric perception technology for autonomous driving and providing comprehensive services from device packaging to full machine design.
The partnership enables AEye to tap into the rapidly growing Chinese market for lidar technology, capitalizing on China’s significant investments in autonomous and smart transportation systems. The emphasis on “safety at speed” highlights the critical importance of reliable and efficient lidar systems in the development of autonomous vehicles and smart infrastructure, aiming to reduce accidents and improve transportation efficiency.
2. Cepton accelerates lidar development with $10M engineering contract
- Cepton, Inc. signed an engineering contract with Koito Manufacturing, its Tier 1 automotive partner and shareholder.
- Koito will provide $10 million in engineering services for a major global OEM program.
- The program aims to develop Cepton’s near-range lidar for Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities.
- The current project is outside North America and focuses on near-range lidar to create a 360-degree perception cocoon around vehicles.
- The implementation will start in about two and a half to three years, typical for automotive programs.
- Cepton is engaged with the top 10 global OEMs in North America and Europe, and the big three in Japan.
- Close to securing another project with a top 10 global OEM, with a decision expected soon.
Cepton’s involvement in significant global OEM projects, particularly outside North America, indicates its expanding market reach and the growing demand for advanced lidar solutions worldwide. The $10 million engineering services contract signifies a substantial revenue boost for Cepton, demonstrating the financial benefits of early project engagements and the monetization potential of their technology.
3. Seoul Robotics Head of R&D center appointed as an expert in autonomous driving for WG14 of ISO/TC 204
- Seoul Robotics announced that Doogon Kim, head of R&D, has been appointed as an expert for Working Group 14 of the ISO’s Technical Committee 204.
- Approved by the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards, Kim will contribute to developing international standards for Autonomous Valet Parking systems (AVPS) and safety warning systems using Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).
- ISO’s TC204, established in 1992, handles international standards for ITS, including roads, infrastructure, communications, vehicle control, logistics, and ergonomics, with experts from over 61 countries.
- WG14 focuses on standardization of active safety systems and autonomous driving systems, including AVPS, PAPS, TJA, HAS, and LSAV. Japan currently holds the convenor status in WG14.
- WG14 leads standardization for smart safety systems using radar, LiDAR, vision sensors, and roadside communication-based active safety systems.
- Young-jun Moon from KAIST and ISO/TC204 WG17 convenor, expressed high expectations for Seoul Robotics and Doogon Kim’s role in global autonomous driving standardization.
- Doogon Kim expressed pride in Seoul Robotics’ expertise in AVPS, fundamental to their infrastructure-based autonomous driving technology.
- Seoul Robotics is planning a pre-IPO round this year, aiming for a KOSDAQ listing by 2025 to attract top talent and strengthen its competitive position through focused R&D efforts.
The appointment of Doogon Kim to WG14 signifies Seoul Robotics’ growing influence and recognition on the global stage, particularly in the development of autonomous vehicle standards.
4. GATIK SECURES $41 MILLION CAD FROM ISUZU MOTORS AS PAIR EXPANDS PARTNERSHIP TO BUILD AUTONOMOUS TRUCKS
- Autonomous trucking startup Gatik AI and Japanese commercial vehicle manufacturer Isuzu Motors have teamed up to develop and produce self-driving trucks.
- This collaboration marks an expansion of their existing partnership that began in 2021.
- Isuzu has made an equity investment of $41 million CAD ($30 million USD) into Gatik.
- Gatik and Isuzu will collaborate on designing, developing, and producing an SAE Level 4 autonomous truck with redundant safety systems, including braking, steering, and sensors.
- They plan to build a new vehicle frame or chassis compatible with Gatik’s autonomous driving technology.
- A dedicated manufacturing facility established by Isuzu is set to begin operations in 2027 to produce these autonomous trucks.
- Gatik CEO Gautam Narang highlighted the significance of this partnership in advancing autonomous trucking technology to achieve freight-only operations at scale.
- Gatik aims to use the funding from Isuzu to deliver trucks that operate autonomously without a human driver by the end of 2025.
The expanded collaboration and substantial investment from Isuzu reflect a strong commitment and confidence in Gatik’s autonomous trucking technology, signaling a robust partnership aimed at leading the autonomous trucking sector. Establishing a dedicated manufacturing facility by Isuzu to produce these autonomous trucks indicates a long-term strategic investment, ensuring the capability to scale production efficiently once operations commence in 2027.
5. Baidu considers using Tesla robotaxi technology in China
- Baidu is considering using Tesla’s robotaxi technology or Full Self-Driving (FSD) in China.
- Xu Baoqiang, Baidu’s General Manager for the autonomous driving department, mentioned potential collaboration opportunities with Tesla.
- Baidu might integrate specific Tesla applications in China.
- In early May 2024, the local Chinese government supported Tesla FSD.
- Elon Musk proposed testing FSD functions in vehicles already deployed in the Chinese market, such as taxis, and suggested rolling out FSD software in Chinese taxi services.
- Baidu and Tesla have an existing partnership in China, with Tesla using Baidu Maps to develop China’s version of FSD.
- Tesla FSD received tentative approval in China after clearing critical regulatory hurdles.
- Elon Musk was in China recently, holding meetings with local car industry figures, and Chinese officials tentatively approved Tesla FSD.
The potential collaboration between Baidu and Tesla could significantly enhance the deployment and effectiveness of autonomous driving technologies in China, combining Tesla’s FSD with Baidu’s local expertise and mapping technology.
*Contents above are the opinion of ChatGPT, not an individual nor company
