[241217] #BMW #WeRide #Imagry

1. High-tech in production: BMW Group enables automated driving for new vehicles

• The BMW Group is advancing its Automated Driving In-Plant (AFW) system, transitioning from pilot testing to series operations in its European plants, starting with Dingolfing and Leipzig.
• In Dingolfing, new vehicles drive fully autonomously along routes exceeding one kilometre, using Europe’s largest LIDAR infrastructure, cloud architecture, and external environment models.
• Leipzig plans to automate driving for 90% of BMW and MINI models, with other plants, including Regensburg, Oxford, and Debrecen (Hungary), set to adopt the technology by 2025.
• The system, developed in collaboration with Swiss startup Embotech AG via the BMW START-UP Garage, optimizes production logistics and enhances efficiency.
• BMW intends to extend the AFW system to other production areas, including test zones and outdoor distribution, while integrating on-board technology to complement external sensors.
• Over the next decade, BMW expects to log millions of test kilometres within its production network, setting new benchmarks in automation and digitalisation of production processes.

  

2. Autonomous Robosweepers Begin Work in the Heart of Singapore

• WeRide has launched autonomous electric Robosweepers, the S6 and S1, for commercial sanitation in Singapore’s Marina Bay, marking the city-state’s first autonomous cleaning project.
• The deployment follows a partnership with Chye Thiam Maintenance (CTM) and rigorous testing, earning approval from Singapore’s Land Transport Authority within five months.
• The S6 operates nightly from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Marina Coastal Drive, while the S1, the world’s first Level 4 sanitation autonomous vehicle, handles daytime cleaning on non-motorized lanes and nearby areas.
• The S1 is designed for advanced cleaning tasks, including sweeping, washing, dust suppression, and garbage disposal, while navigating static and moving obstacles.
• WeRide’s Robosweepers have already been deployed in Chinese cities like Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Beijing, and the company aims to expand globally, with trials underway in the United Arab Emirates.
• Singapore’s fixed-route trials may evolve to more challenging routes, with Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat hinting at advanced pilots in the future.
• WeRide hopes its Singapore operations will bolster its efforts to bring smart sanitation solutions to more cities worldwide.

WeRide debuts autonomous Robosweepers in Singapore’s Marina Bay, marking the city’s first commercialized smart sanitation project and advancing global ambitions.

3. Imagry moves to make buses autonomous without mapping

• Imagry focuses on urban autonomous buses with HD-mapless technology, reducing reliance on external sensors and cutting hardware costs to $3,000 per vehicle.
• Partnering with Continental and operating in Turkey, France, Spain, Japan, Imagry enables Level 3/4 autonomy for buses, handling complex urban conditions.
• Japan plans to deploy Imagry’s buses in 50 locations by 2025 and 100 by 2027, addressing driver shortages and reducing costs for operators.
• Imagry has passed stringent NCAP tests and Japanese safety standards, paving the way for global regulatory approval.
• The company plans pilots in three markets by 2025 and passenger vehicle integration in Europe, the U.S., and Japan by 2027, with a showcase at CES 2025.

4. Lidar Maker Hesai Sees Device Becoming as Common as Airbags

5. New 2024 Honda Amaze To Get More Features, Including ADAS

• Honda will launch the new generation Amaze compact sedan in India on December 4, featuring a new platform, updated design, and revamped interior.
• The Amaze adopts design cues from the Honda City, including a part-digital instrument cluster, a new touchscreen, and an updated center console.
• For the first time in its segment, the new Amaze is expected to offer ADAS features such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and autonomous braking.
• Other features may include wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, cruise control, 6 airbags, and a rear camera, although manual variants might not include ADAS.
• The Amaze will continue with a 1.2L petrol engine and existing gearbox options, competing with the recently updated Maruti Dzire.
• Honda has teased sketches of the Amaze, showcasing a larger touchscreen and enhanced features over the current model.