[240827] #Aurora #Mercedes-Benz #BYD

1. Self-driving truck startup Aurora Innovation raises $483M in share sale ahead of commercial launch

• Aurora Innovation raised $483 million, exceeding its initial goal of $420 million.
• The company aims to launch commercial driverless operations by the end of 2024.
• Aurora went public through a SPAC merger in 2021 and previously raised $820 million in 2023.
• The company is pursuing a driver-as-a-service model and plans to offer up to 20 autonomous trucks to shippers by year-end.
• Aurora expects the new funds to extend its runway into 2026 and help it become cash flow positive by 2028.
• As of June 30, 2024, Aurora had $402 million in cash and $618 million in short-term investments.
• The company spent $198 million in Q2 2024 and is not yet generating revenue.
• Aurora has partnered with Uber Freight for a multi-year collaboration through 2030.
• The successful fundraising is seen as a sign of investor confidence in Aurora’s long-term prospects and recent milestones.

2. New BYD Seal EV revealed with LiDAR in official images

• BYD revealed the 2025 model year Seal electric sedan with a new LiDAR sensor and minor exterior updates.
• The Seal will retain its original name instead of being renamed to Seal 07 EV, based on customer feedback.
• The Seal series will soon include four models: Seal 05 DM-i, Seal 06, Seal 07 DM-i, and the Seal.
• The new Seal will launch in the Chinese market on August 8, 2024.
• It features a LiDAR sensor on the roof, supplied by Robosense, to enhance ADAS functions.
• The 2025 Seal has a new light purple color option and a red BYD logo replacing the “Build Your Dreams” inscription.
• Dimensions remain unchanged at 4800/1875/1460 mm with a 2920 mm wheelbase.
• Engine options include single and dual motor configurations, with power outputs ranging from 228 hp to 523 hp.
• Two battery options are available: 61.44 kW and 80.64 kW, offering a CLTC range of 510-650 km.
• The new Seal is built on the e-Platform 3.0 Evo architecture with an 800V system for improved charging efficiency.

3. Mercedes-Benz Breaks Ground In Autonomous Vehicle Testing

• Mercedes-Benz has received approval to conduct Level 4 autonomous vehicle trials in Beijing, becoming the first international carmaker to do so.
• The testing license allows for evaluation on city streets, highways, and expressways, building on previous Level 3 trial approvals.
• Level 4 autonomous vehicles can navigate complex driving scenarios independently, including urban and highway environments.
• These vehicles employ a “minimal risk strategy” for safety in unexpected situations.
• Beijing has recently enacted comprehensive rules for testing conditionally autonomous vehicles.
• The trials emphasize real-world testing and sensor integration under extreme conditions.
• This development is part of a broader competition in the autonomous driving industry, involving companies like Tesla, Waymo, and Baidu.
• China’s focus on autonomous vehicle testing aligns with its goals to dominate the global EV and autonomous vehicle markets.
• The integration of autonomous vehicles into everyday life still faces challenges related to public trust, regulations, and safety protocols.
• This milestone represents a significant step towards transforming urban mobility and potentially improving traffic and road safety.

4. Self-driving vehicles to boost presence around Haneda airport

• Japanese firms are advancing autonomous vehicle technology at Tokyo’s Haneda airport and its vicinity.
• Level 4 self-driving buses will operate for free within Haneda Innovation City, a business complex near the airport.
• These 11-passenger buses will travel an 800-meter route at a maximum speed of 12 km/h, monitored remotely.
• The project involves Boldly Inc., a SoftBank Corp. subsidiary, and general contractor Kajima Corp.
• These firms received the first private sector approval to provide a public service using Level 4 vehicles in April.
• Plans are underway to introduce autonomous vehicles on a 3.9-km route between the complex and the airport by 2026.
• Japan is promoting self-driving vehicles to address acute labor shortages, especially in the transportation sector.
• All Nippon Airways Co. and Toyota Industries Corp. tested a Level 4 towing vehicle at Haneda, planning to start its use in 2025.
• The driverless towing vehicle, equipped with cameras and sensors, successfully ran a 2-km route during a demonstration in July.

5. Tesla and Nvidia set to go head-to-head in high-end autonomous driving

• Nvidia and Tesla are major players in end-to-end advanced autonomous driving solutions, with their paths set to intersect, particularly in the Chinese market.
• Nvidia collaborates with various Tier 1 suppliers and automakers, offering a platform compatible with multiple sensory components and ample computational resources.
• Nvidia has a significant database from its platforms, while Tesla continuously collects and optimizes data but has no licensing partner for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology.
• Both companies require high-end GPU computing power, with Nvidia’s GPUs in high demand and expected to increase in price, which Tesla aims to counter with its in-house AI chips, HW5, expected in mass production by 2025.
• Tesla’s AI technology extends beyond vehicles to humanoid robots, creating competition with Nvidia in various sectors.
• MediaTek’s collaboration with Nvidia and Qualcomm’s expansion into high-end autonomous driving underscore the intense competition in the market.