[250124] #Torc #Hyundai #Daimler

1. Torc and Aeva Strengthen Collaboration to Accelerate the Development of Autonomous Truck Technology

• Aeva and Torc Robotics announced an expanded collaboration to advance safety architecture and decision-making for autonomous trucking using Aeva’s 4D LiDAR technology.
• The partnership involves integrating Aeva’s sensors into Torc’s Virtual Driver software and the Freightliner Cascadia platform to enhance long-range sensing capabilities.
• The collaboration builds on a production agreement from 2024, with Daimler Truck selecting Aeva as its supplier of long and ultra-long range LiDAR for commercial autonomous trucks, targeting commercialization by 2027.
• Torc Robotics focuses on developing autonomous trucking solutions for hub-to-hub freight transport in the U.S., supported by multiple facilities and engineering offices.
• Aeva’s 4D LiDAR uniquely integrates velocity detection with 3D position sensing, enabling safer and smarter decision-making for autonomous systems.
• The companies aim to deepen global engineering team collaboration and refine technologies for safe and reliable deployment at scale.
• Both organizations are committed to driving innovation in autonomous driving and advancing the future of transportation technology.

  

2. Hyundai Self-Driving Car Gets US Driving License

• Hyundai’s Ioniq 5, an all-electric SUV, passed the US self-driving car licensing test in Las Vegas, demonstrating its ability to meet rigorous safety standards.
• The vehicle was tested on key driving skills, including speed control, lane changes, maneuvering, stops, left turns, lane-keeping, and reaction time, under the supervision of a strict examiner.
• The success highlights Hyundai’s advancements in autonomous driving technology, overcoming public skepticism toward self-driving cars.
• The Ioniq 5’s achievement also underscores its potential to provide safe and accessible transportation solutions for people with disabilities.
• This milestone marks a step toward a future of safer and more inclusive travel through autonomous driving innovation.

The Ioniq 5 aces rigorous self-driving tests in Las Vegas, marking a milestone for Hyundai in autonomous driving innovation and accessibility.

3. Mobile Tech, a startup with realistic digital twin production technology, announced on the 2nd that

• Mobile Tech, a startup specializing in realistic digital twin production, secured a 3 billion won investment from CJ Investment.
• Founded in 2017, Mobile Tech has received investments from Naver D2SF, Hyundai Motor Group Zero One, and Korea Investment & Securities, with cumulative funding exceeding 20 billion won.
• The company offers solutions such as LiDAR-based spatial information generation, high-precision map systems, and the ‘Replika City’ digital twin platform.
• Mobile Tech’s digital twin data is fully compatible with Nvidia Omniverse and Unreal Engine, serving various industries.
• The company plans to accelerate preparations for a KOSDAQ listing while expanding its overseas market presence with this latest investment.
• CJ Investment sees Mobile Tech as a future leader in autonomous infrastructure, digital twins, and smart cities.
• CEO Kim Jae-seung stated that the investment reaffirms Mobile Tech’s technological capabilities and market potential.

4. Daimler takes next step toward vehicle autonomy

5. Google’s Waymo to test-drive robotaxis in Tokyo early next year

• Waymo plans to test its autonomous taxi service in Tokyo in 2025, aiming to address Japan’s severe taxi driver shortage.
• The company will collaborate with Go, a taxi-hailing platform, and Nihon Kotsu, a taxi operator, using 25 vehicles equipped with Waymo Driver technology.
• The tests will capture mapping data for a commercial robotaxi service with Level 4 autonomy, requiring human intervention in specific situations.
• Japan’s labor shortage in the taxi industry and the legalization of a ride-hailing system create ideal conditions for autonomous taxi services.
• Waymo faces challenges with consumer trust and safety but aims to carefully proceed with commercialization, learning from global autonomous driving experience.
• Waymo’s autonomous taxis have been in operation in Phoenix, Arizona, and the company plans to expand testing in Japan, marking the first testing location outside the US.
• The company aims to collect more mobility data and build consumer trust as part of its strategy to expand its autonomous taxi service globally.