[240924] #Autonomous a2z #Tesla #Gatik

1. Autonomous a2z Surpasses 310,000 Miles in Urban Autonomous Driving

• Autonomous a2z, a South Korean autonomous driving company, announced surpassing 310,000 miles of urban autonomous driving, the longest recorded in South Korea.
• The milestone was achieved just seven months after reaching 250,000 miles in January 2023.
• The company recorded 47,000 miles of urban autonomous driving in the previous year, ranking in the top 10 globally.
• Autonomous a2z focuses on B2B markets, particularly for autonomous shuttle services, operating the largest fleet of autonomous buses in South Korea.
• The company plans to commercialize a fully autonomous Level 4 mobility platform, the MS, by March 2025, with mass production expected in 2027.
• Autonomous a2z was recognized in the ‘Guidehouse Insights Leaderboard: Automated Driving Systems’ in 2023.
• CEO Han Ji-hyeong highlighted the company’s commitment to innovation and leadership in the global autonomous driving market.

2. Pony.ai allowed for autonomous driving tests on Shenzhen’s expressways

• Pony.ai received a permit to conduct autonomous driving tests on expressways in Shenzhen, including key routes like the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Riverside Expressway.
• This permit supports Pony.ai’s plans to expand its Robotaxi operations along airport routes and urban areas.
• Since 2022, Pony.ai has operated autonomous ride-hailing services in Shenzhen, covering nearly 1,500 pick-up and drop-off points in major districts.
• The service runs from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and is available through the Pony Pilot app.
• Pony.ai has accumulated over 35 million kilometers of autonomous driving tests, including 3.5 million kilometers of driverless testing.

Pony.ai is set to test autonomous vehicles on key Shenzhen expressways, furthering its Robotaxi services and enhancing its presence in the city’s transportation network.

3. Tesla hints at seats that rotate facing backward in self-driving vehicle

• Tesla hinted at the possibility of designing self-driving vehicles with rotating or fully reclining seats in communications with regulators.
• The evolution of self-driving technology opens new opportunities for vehicle interior designs, moving away from traditional driver-focused layouts.
• Tesla responded to Australian regulators, suggesting that seating position requirements for Level 4 autonomous vehicles should not be overly restrictive to allow for innovative designs.
• Tesla mentioned that with proper safety measures, vehicle designs with non-forward-facing seats or a central seating position are conceivable.
• This hints at potential future Tesla products, including the upcoming Tesla Robotaxi and the already-unveiled Tesla Semi.

4. Baidu-backed Chinese autonomous trucking firm expects to be profitable in 2025

5. Nippon Express invests in Gatik to accelerate autonomous trucking

• Nippon Express invested in autonomous middle-mile logistics company Gatik through its NX Global Innovation Fund to accelerate Gatik’s self-driving vehicle technology deployment in North America.
• Gatik focuses on routes between distribution centers, fulfillment centers, and retail locations, addressing driver shortages and supply chain inefficiencies.
• Gatik already operates an autonomous network in regions like Texas, Arkansas, and Ontario, and partners with major retailers such as Walmart and Kroger.
• Recent partnerships with Isuzu Motors and Itochu highlight confidence in Gatik’s approach to middle-mile autonomy.
• Gatik’s CEO, Gautam Narang, emphasized middle-mile autonomy as the first scalable application in autonomous trucking, solving logistics issues and improving delivery efficiency.
• Nippon Express seeks to enhance its knowledge of autonomous trucking through this investment partnership with Gatik.