[250103] #Nvidia #Inceptio #Volvo

1. Nvidia steps up hiring in China to focus on AI-driven cars, Bloomberg News reports

• Nvidia has added 200 new employees in China this year to strengthen its research capabilities, particularly in autonomous driving technologies, according to Bloomberg News.
• The company now employs nearly 600 people in Beijing and recently opened a new office in the Zhongguancun tech hub.
• Globally, Nvidia employed 29,600 people across 36 countries at the end of fiscal year 2024.
• Nvidia is currently under investigation in China for potential violations of the country’s anti-monopoly law, seen as a response to U.S. chip export restrictions.

  

2. Inceptio-powered AV trucks surpass 200 million kms in commercial operations

• Inceptio Technology’s autonomous trucks have surpassed 200 million kilometers in commercial operations, doubling the 100 million kilometers milestone from April 2024.
• Over 2,000 Inceptio-powered trucks are deployed with China’s top logistics companies, demonstrating their capabilities on major freight routes.
• The trucks have achieved 20-50% labor cost reductions, 3-7% fuel efficiency gains, saving 6,000 liters of diesel and reducing 15.8 tons of CO₂ emissions per truck annually.
• A joint study with CPIC found Inceptio trucks 75-99% safer than human-operated trucks, with 10% more monthly kilometers per truck and improved fleet performance.
• Major deliveries in 2024 included 400 trucks to ZTO Express, the largest single delivery of intelligent heavy-duty trucks globally.
• Inceptio collaborated with Dongfeng Commercial Vehicle to launch the Hi-Truck Tianlong GX/KX Series, featuring the industry’s first LNG autonomous trucks.
• CEO Julian Ma emphasized the transformative impact of Inceptio’s technology on logistics efficiency, safety, and profitability, alongside its role in reducing costs amid challenging economic conditions.
• Inceptio plans to expand globally, leveraging operational data to refine its full-stack autonomous solution and drive further adoption of its technology.

Inceptio Technology’s autonomous trucks surpass 200 million kilometers, showcasing advancements in logistics efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

3. Volvo’s VNL Autonomous fleet begins hauling freight for DHL in Texas

• DHL Supply Chain has partnered with Volvo Autonomous Solutions (VAS) to deploy self-driving Volvo VNL Autonomous trucks on routes between Dallas and Houston, with plans to expand operations in Texas.
• The trucks, powered by Aurora Driver technology, operate with onboard safety drivers for validation and use hub-to-hub operations along divided highways.
• DHL emphasizes that autonomous trucks will augment rather than replace human drivers, enabling them to work locally and return home daily while robotic trucks handle long-haul routes.
• The Volvo VNL Autonomous trucks feature built-in redundancy for safety-critical systems and utilize cameras, imaging radar, and long-range LiDAR for safe highway operations.
• VAS is developing an autonomous transport-as-a-service model, focusing on select key customers like DHL to refine and scale its solutions.
• DHL integrates the autonomous trucks into its broader automation strategy, which includes warehouse robotics and wearable technology, aligning with its safety-first culture.
• The collaboration supports the logistics sector’s digital transformation, improving long-haul capacity, operational efficiency, and value for customers.
• Autonomous trucking continues to grow, with OEMs like Paccar, Daimler’s Torc Robotics, and Kodiak Robotics also advancing their autonomous technology offerings for the future.

4. Pony AI: An Attractive Autonomous Driving Technology Play

5. Tesla adds new autonomous driving feature in China as robotaxi vision progresses

• Tesla (TSLA) launched the “Actually Smart Summon” feature in China, enabling vehicles with enhanced autopilot or full self-driving to autonomously navigate parking lots within the driver’s vision.
• The feature, based on Tesla Vision and requiring no radar sensors, is delivered through over-the-air software updates.
• Customers purchasing a Tesla through a trade-in are offered 90 days of free enhanced autopilot software.
• Tesla plans to roll out its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software in Europe and China by Q1 2025, pending regulatory approvals.
• In the U.S., Tesla aims to release an “unsupervised” FSD version in Texas and California in 2025 and begin production of its fully autonomous Robotaxi by 2026.
• Tesla shares rose 1.1% in premarket trading on Friday, nearing their all-time high.