Vueron Newsletter
No. 147
2024.10.25
Tesla Semi Truck Paves the Way for the Future of Autonomous Freight Transport | ||
Autonomous Driving | Google’s Waymo Chooses Hyundai Ioniq 5 for Autonomous Driving Fleet | |
LiDAR | Mobileye Abandons FMCW LiDAR, What It Means For Aeva | |
Momenta unveils mass-produced autonomous driving model | ||
Scania launches world-first autonomous fleet in the Pilbara |
1. Tesla Semi Truck Paves the Way for the Future of Autonomous Freight Transport
- Tesla’s Semi truck was spotted undergoing testing for full self-driving (FSD) capabilities, marking a major milestone in autonomous freight transport.
- Achieving FSD for the Tesla Semi requires advanced algorithms, sensor networks, and rigorous testing to ensure safe and reliable long-haul operation.
- Autonomous trucks could revolutionize logistics by reducing shipping times, lowering operational costs, and enabling 24/7 operation without driver fatigue.
- The Tesla Semi’s electric powertrain contributes to environmental benefits, such as eliminating emissions and optimizing energy use through autonomous driving.
- Challenges for widespread adoption include evolving regulatory frameworks, new safety standards, liability issues, and building public trust in autonomous technology.
Tesla’s Semi truck is undergoing full self-driving tests, signaling a potential revolution in logistics with 24/7 autonomous operation, lower costs, and environmental benefit.
2. Google’s Waymo Chooses Hyundai Ioniq 5 for Autonomous Driving Fleet
- Hyundai and Waymo have entered a multi-year partnership to integrate Waymo’s autonomous driving technology into Hyundai vehicles.
- The partnership will feature Waymo Driver technology pre-installed in Hyundai Ioniq 5 models produced at Hyundai’s Georgia factory.
- The cars will be equipped with redundancies and automated capabilities for self-driving technology from the start.
- The first Ioniq 5 vehicles with Waymo’s autonomous system are expected to be produced by the end of 2025, followed by extensive testing.
- Waymo plans to add the Ioniq 5 to its Waymo One fleet, which operates in cities like San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles.
- The collaboration allows Hyundai to expand its presence in the autonomous vehicle market, while Waymo seeks to grow its fleet beyond Chrysler and Jaguar models.
3. Mobileye Abandons FMCW LiDAR, What It Means For Aeva
- Mobileye discontinues in-house FMCW LiDAR development, saving $55M annually, focusing on EyeQ6-based vision, imaging radar, and third-party ToF LiDAR for cost efficiency.
- Critics view the move as a setback for LiDAR, but Mobileye maintains its True Redundancy approach, integrating cameras, imaging radar, and third-party LiDAR.
- FMCW LiDAR’s high costs and limited market adoption contrast with scalable, cost-effective ToF LiDAR, raising doubts about Aeva’s market potential and financial sustainability.
- Aeva faces financial challenges, needing $240M to bridge the gap to profitability by 2028, with uncertainties in FMCW LiDAR’s advantages over ToF technology.
Mobileye ended its FMCW LiDAR development due to cost savings and advancements in other sensors, as companies like Aeva and SiLC continue to invest in FMCW for autonomous vehicles.
4. Momenta unveils mass-produced autonomous driving model
Momenta unveiled its first mass-produced autonomous driving model with a 99% automation rate, designed to handle complex scenarios and reduce human intervention.
5. Scania launches world-first autonomous fleet in the Pilbara
- Scania and Regroup will launch the world’s first fleet of autonomous in-pit mining trucks in Western Australia’s Pilbara in late 2025.
- The fleet rollout builds on Scania’s recent announcement of commercially available autonomous trucks, with Regroup being the first company to place an order.
- This autonomous fleet will operate in Australian mining environments, demonstrating the safety, productivity, and ease-of-use benefits of Scania’s technology.
- Regroup is collaborating with Element 25 for the deployment, focusing on innovation and the electrification of vehicles within the mining sector.
- In addition to autonomous trucks, Regroup will incorporate a battery electric Scania truck for its operations, contributing to the company’s decarbonization efforts.
- The introduction of autonomous trucks will not reduce Regroup’s existing workforce, but instead shift workers into safer, cleaner environments like control rooms.
- Regroup anticipates cost savings from reduced driver needs, and environmental benefits from using smaller capacity autonomous trucks with lower fuel consumption.
Scania and Regroup will launch the world’s first fleet of autonomous mining trucks in Australia’s Pilbara by 2025, enhancing safety, productivity, and sustainability in the mining sector.
*Contents above are the opinion of ChatGPT, not an individual nor company