Vueron Newsletter
No. 188
2025.03.18
| Best Tech 2025: Waymo One Advances the Robotaxi Future | ||
| Self-driving | Pony.ai rolls out robotaxi routes in Guangzhou | |
| LiDAR | RoboSense reaches 1 millionth LiDAR delivery milestone | |
| Stellantis Unveils Self-Developed Self-Driving System ‘STLA AutoDrive’ | ||
| Hyundai and Plus: Paving the Way for Autonomous Electric Trucks |
1. Best Tech 2025: Waymo One Advances the Robotaxi Future
- Waymo One, Google’s autonomous ride-hailing service, operates Level 4 robotaxis in Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Austin, covering 400+ square miles.
- In 2024, Waymo quadrupled its ride volume, completing 4 million electric-powered miles while reducing 10 million pounds of CO₂ emissions.
- Vehicles are equipped with LiDAR, radar, and optical sensors, enabling real-time perception and AI-driven decision-making.
- Continuous data collection and AI training improve navigation, making Waymo One vehicles safer and more efficient.
- Waymo One provides a seamless user experience, featuring hands-free operation, climate and media controls, and app-based ride tracking.
- While the service is expanding, it faces challenges such as public skepticism, road obstructions, and occasional vehicle vandalism.
- Future expansion plans include launching in Miami and other key cities, reinforcing its leadership in autonomous mobility.
Waymo One expands its Level 4 robotaxi service, leveraging LiDAR and AI-driven navigation, while overcoming challenges to establish autonomous ride-hailing as a mainstream transportation option.
2. Pony.ai rolls out robotaxi routes in Guangzhou
- Pony.ai has introduced a pilot robotaxi service in Guangzhou, becoming the city’s first and only approved operator.
- The service connects five key locations, including Guangzhou Baiyun Airport and Guangzhou South Railway Station, with four designated routes.
- Operating hours are from 10 AM to 3 PM and 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM daily, following local fare policies.
- The initiative aligns with Guangzhou’s new intelligent vehicle regulations, set to take effect on February 28.
- Pony.ai’s expansion highlights China’s push for autonomous mobility, strengthening the company’s role in the self-driving market.
3. RoboSense reaches 1 millionth LiDAR delivery milestone
- RoboSense has become the first company worldwide to deliver 1 million high-channel LiDAR units, marking a significant industry milestone.
- The 1 millionth LiDAR was manufactured in Shenzhen and delivered to Shanghai-based Humanoid Robot on February 24.
- RoboSense’s automotive LiDAR business continues to grow, with increasing adoption across autonomous driving applications.
- The company is expanding into robotics, positioning itself as a “robotics platform company” to supply AI-driven solutions.
- RoboSense has introduced new products such as E1R and Airy LiDAR for robotics, Active Camera for vision, and Papert 2.0, a humanoid hand.
- This milestone solidifies RoboSense’s leadership in LiDAR production and innovation, influencing both autonomous vehicles and robotics.
RoboSense becomes the first company to deliver 1 million high-channel LiDAR units, expanding its impact on autonomous vehicles and robotics.
4. Stellantis Unveils Self-Developed Self-Driving System ‘STLA AutoDrive’
- Stellantis introduced STLA AutoDrive 1.0, its first self-developed Level 3 autonomous driving system.
- The system supports “hands-free” and “eye-off” driving at speeds up to 60 km/h, improving convenience in congested urban areas.
- Equipped with advanced sensors, STLA AutoDrive enables high-accuracy environmental perception, even in nighttime and adverse weather conditions.
- Drivers can activate the system via a physical button, allowing automatic distance maintenance, speed control, braking, and turning.
- For high-speed driving, the system includes Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and lane-keeping in Level 2 and Level 2+ modes, with plans to expand Level 3 functionality to 95 km/h.
- Stellantis is considering expanding the technology to off-road applications, further broadening autonomous capabilities.
- An automatic sensor cleaning system ensures reliable performance by maintaining sensor accuracy in all conditions.
Stellantis unveils STLA AutoDrive 1.0, its first Level 3 self-driving system, enhancing urban and highway automation with advanced sensor technology.
5. Hyundai and Plus: Paving the Way for Autonomous Electric Trucks
- Hyundai Motor and Plus have introduced the first Level 4 autonomous hydrogen fuel cell electric truck in the U.S. at the ACT Expo.
- The Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell truck, integrated with Plus’s SuperDrive Level 4 self-driving system, is undergoing initial testing.
- This marks the first-ever Class 8 hydrogen-powered truck to undergo Level 4 autonomous driving trials in the U.S.
- The partnership aims to enhance road safety, efficiency, and sustainability in freight transportation.
- Plus’s SuperDrive™ system uses LiDAR, radar, and cameras for 360-degree perception and autonomous navigation.
- The autonomous trucking system is also being deployed in the U.S., Europe, and Australia, signaling broader commercial adoption.
- Hyundai is positioning hydrogen fuel cell technology as a key player in the future of clean and autonomous freight transport.
Hyundai and Plus introduce the first Level 4 autonomous hydrogen truck in the U.S., leveraging LiDAR and AI-driven technology to advance sustainable freight transport.
*Contents above are the opinion of ChatGPT, not an individual nor company
