Vueron Newsletter
No. 163
2024.12.20
| May Mobility Begins Second Autonomous Operation in the US | ||
| Autonomous trucking | Ex-Chinese autonomous truck CEO urges $450m firm liquidation | |
| Autonomous Driving | Baidu Wins First License to Test Self-Driving Car in Hong Kong | |
| Isuzu Plans To Launch Autonomous Trucks Starting 2027 In Japan | ||
| Chinese lidar sensor maker Hesai adamant about global push amid EV tariffs |
1. May Mobility Begins Second Autonomous Operation in the US
- May Mobility expanded its autonomous driving operations to Ann Arbor, Michigan, testing over a 2 square mile area with real-time data analysis for traffic, weather, and pedestrian density.
- The company uses its patented Multi-Policy Decision Making (MPDM) technology, enabling vehicles to learn and adapt to unpredictable conditions.
- CEO Edwin Olson emphasized the scalability of May Mobility’s technology, which has already operated successfully in Arizona earlier in 2024.
- During Ann Arbor’s Technology Day, attendees experienced thirty-minute autonomous rides showcasing the system’s real-time perception and decision-making.
- New upgrades include enhanced accessibility features such as automated audio announcements, braille-based keypads, and a passenger viewing mode displaying the vehicle’s operations.
- May Mobility currently has 10 active deployments with three more planned by the end of 2024 and aims to bring driverless operations to Peachtree Corners, Georgia, by 2025.
May Mobility expands autonomous testing to Ann Arbor, Michigan, showcasing scalable technology and accessibility-focused upgrades for future deployments
2.Ex-Chinese autonomous truck CEO urges $450m firm liquidation
- Xiaodi Hou, co-founder and former CEO of TuSimple, has called for the company to liquidate its assets and distribute $450 million to shareholders.
- Hou claims TuSimple’s stock trades at $0.24 per share, despite holding $1.93 per share in cash.
- TuSimple, a pre-revenue company, recently shut down its US operations and delisted from the stock market.
- Hou’s proposal comes amid a lawsuit by TuSimple, accusing him of stealing trade secrets for his new company, Bot Auto.
3. Baidu Wins First License to Test Self-Driving Car in Hong Kong
- Baidu Inc. has received Hong Kong’s first license to test autonomous vehicles, with trials of 10 vehicles approved in the North Lantau area.
- The initiative is part of Baidu’s efforts to expand its driverless technology beyond mainland China and strengthen its position in the artificial intelligence sector.
- Baidu’s autonomous ride-hailing arm, Apollo Go, launched a cost-effective robotaxi model in May and aims for profitability by next year.
- In April, Baidu partnered with Tesla Inc. to integrate its mapping technology into Tesla’s self-driving systems in China.
- Baidu’s Apollo Go aspires to extend its autonomous driving technology to more countries and regions globally.
Baidu wins Hong Kong’s first autonomous vehicle testing license, advancing its global ambitions for AI-driven autonomous technology through Apollo Go.
4. Isuzu Plans To Launch Autonomous Trucks Starting 2027 In Japan
- Isuzu Motors plans to launch an autonomous truck fleet in 2027, partnering with Applied Intuition to integrate Level 4 automation into its Giga trucks for operation on Japanese roads.
- The autonomous trucks will require driver monitoring for safety, despite their advanced capabilities to navigate most routes independently.
- Isuzu is also collaborating with Japanese startup Tier IV to introduce Level 4 autonomous driving technology in buses at Fukuoka Airport and the Tokyo area.
- The company sees potential for its self-driving business to become a major revenue stream, starting with inter-city goods transport.
- Other startups, including Aurora Innovations, Codiak Robotics, and AI Gatik, are advancing autonomous truck technology for human-free operations.
- Safety concerns persist regarding autonomous heavy vehicles, with calls for stricter regulations due to the risks associated with their size and weight.
Isuzu partners with Applied Intuition and Tier IV to launch Level 4 autonomous trucks and buses in Japan by 2027, focusing on inter-city transport and airport operations.
5. Chinese lidar sensor maker Hesai adamant about global push amid EV tariffs
- Hesai Group is expanding into international markets, including Europe, despite tariffs on Chinese-made EVs.
- Lidar shipments grew 220% in Q3 2023, with total 2023 shipments reaching 279,835 units; profitability is expected in Q4.
- The company aims to reduce lidar costs to $200 per unit, with adoption in high-end EVs in China expected to grow from 24% to 40% by 2025.
- Hesai leads the robotaxi lidar market, holding 74% of the global share, with key clients like Li Auto and Geely.
- Rising U.S. and EU tariffs challenge Chinese EV exports, but Hesai’s cost-effective and advanced technology supports global growth.
Hesai Group expands globally, leveraging its lidar leadership and cost reductions despite rising tariffs on Chinese-made EVs.
*Contents above are the opinion of ChatGPT, not an individual nor company
