[240816] #Waymo #Xpeng #Toyota

1. Robots take the wheel as San Francisco opens streets to driverless taxis

• Autonomous vehicles, particularly from Waymo, are now available to everyone in San Francisco, revolutionizing urban transportation.
• Waymo has over 300,000 people on its waiting list and is significantly impacting local businesses and healthcare transportation.
• Waymo’s fleet is all-electric and uses renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions.
• The service is expanding to other cities like Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin.
• Waymo claims a strong safety record, with fewer crashes compared to human drivers, but the NHTSA is investigating incidents involving Waymo vehicles.
• The rise of robotaxis raises questions about safety, job impacts, and the readiness of autonomous technology.

2. Shanghai all set to launch ‘robotaxi’ tests

• Shanghai will begin public testing of driverless taxi services next week, marking progress in autonomous vehicle applications.
• Four companies received permits for demonstration applications on July 4, with the testing area spanning 68 square kilometers in Lin-gang Special Area, Pudong.
• The program uses a WeChat mini-program for locating pickup points, and each car has a safety operator in the front passenger seat.
• Passengers enter their phone number, fasten seat belts, and tap “depart” to start their journey, with access to route viewing and amenities in the rear cabin.
• Initial user feedback is positive, highlighting the vehicles’ ability to navigate complex scenarios and prioritize smooth rides.
• SAIC AIlab plans to gradually expand its fleet from five to over 40 vehicles by year-end.
• Baidu’s Apollo Go has launched in multiple cities with a fleet of thousands, offering lower costs compared to traditional ride-hailing services, raising concerns about potential predatory pricing.

3. Continental at IAA Transportation 2024: Innovating Transportation From Road to Cloud

• Continental showcases key solutions in the areas of intelligent services and software-defined commercial vehicles, safe and sustainable road transport and autonomous commercial vehicles.
• High-performance computers and software along the entire ecosystem: Providing the computing power to process vast amounts of data.
• Intelligent services for efficient fleets: Continental’s tire management solutions come in two new iterations as Lite and Pro version.
• Tough RuNR air spring, new sustainable bus tire and highly efficient truck tire: Improving sustainability in road transport with material expertise.
• Planned start of production in 2027: Developing the world’s first scalable autonomous trucking system.

4. XPeng and Volkswagen Group expand collaboration plans to integrate MEB tech into new EVs

• XPeng Motors and Volkswagen Group have expanded their partnership to include VW’s global MEB platform technology.
• XPeng, a prominent Chinese EV brand, and VW are co-developing a new digital EV platform for Chinese consumers.
• The collaboration builds on VW’s 4.99% stake in XPeng and aims to integrate technologies from VW’s China Main Platform and MEB platform.
• New “Project Houses” in Guangzhou and Hefei will facilitate joint development of the E/E Architecture.
• The first Volkswagen-branded EV on this new architecture, a mid-size SUV, is expected to begin production in 24 months, followed by a second model, both exclusive to China.

5. Toyota and Stanford Are Using Artificial Intelligence to Make Self-Driving Cars Drift in Unison

• Toyota Research Institute and Stanford Engineering developed autonomous tandem drift cars using advanced AI.
• The project aims to enhance driving safety by mastering precise car control needed for drifting.
• The lead car uses precise throttle, brake, and steering input, while the second car responds to its movements to avoid collisions.
• This technology can potentially improve safety in slippery conditions by allowing cars to handle like expert drivers.
• The AI drift technology could become a significant safety feature in future Level 4 or Level 5 autonomous vehicles.
• Innovations from motorsports, like rearview mirrors and disc brakes, have historically influenced street car safety, and this technology could follow that trend.