[241015] #Mercedes-Benz #Luminar #GM

1. Mercedes-Benz to accelerate autonomous driving on German autobahns

• Mercedes-Benz plans to upgrade its automated driving system to operate autonomously at speeds of up to 95 km/h on German motorways, pending certification by Germany’s motor transport authority in late 2024.
• Sales of the DRIVE PILOT system will begin next year, with existing cars upgraded from 60 km/h free of charge.
• The system will operate at Level 3 autonomy, allowing drivers to take their hands off the wheel, but they must be ready to take over within seconds.
• Mercedes installed a turquoise light on cars with the system to notify other drivers when the vehicle is in automated mode.
• The company aims to increase the system’s speed limit to 130 km/h but did not specify a timeline.
• Mercedes has tested the system in Beijing and received approval for use on highways in California and Nevada.
• Mercedes expects Level 3 systems to be approved quickly in China, with rapid market expansion thereafter.

   

  

2. Luminar Technologies reduces workforce by 30% this year

• Luminar Technologies has cut about 30% of its workforce in 2024, up from the previously announced 20%, as part of a restructuring plan.
• The additional staff reduction will result in $4 million to $6 million in charges during the third and fourth quarters of 2024.
• In May, Luminar also announced plans to sub-lease some of its facilities to reduce its global footprint.
• As of December 2023, Luminar had nearly 800 full-time employees across the U.S., Germany, Sweden, India, and China.
• Lidar sensors, which Luminar produces, are critical for achieving full autonomy in vehicles by providing a three-dimensional map of the road.

Luminar Technologies has cut 30% of its workforce in 2024 as part of a restructuring plan, incurring additional charges and reducing its global footprint.

3. Wabash supporting Kodiak’s autonomous fleet

• Kodiak Robotics has partnered with Wabash to integrate Wabash’s Trailers as a Service (TaaS) offering into its autonomous trucking operations.
• Wabash’s TaaS provides Kodiak with access to a fleet of reliable, fully maintained trailers nationwide, supporting the entire trailer lifecycle from acquisition to maintenance.
• The partnership enables Kodiak to focus on developing its autonomous driving technology, while Wabash handles trailer maintenance and uptime through managed care services.
• Wabash’s self-diagnosing trailers and nationwide dealer network ensure optimal performance, helping Kodiak improve operational reliability and road safety.
• Both companies view the partnership as a collaboration to enhance innovation, efficiency, and safety in the autonomous trucking industry.

4. GM will test autonomous vehicles in Bay Area after pedestrian incident

5. Easymile partners with Hesai to utilise long-range lidar

• Hesai Technology has launched its new 360° long-range lidar OT128, which will be used by autonomous vehicle developer Easymile in its autonomous buses.
• The OT128 lidar supports all-around sensing for autonomous vehicles and has a design life of 30,000 hours.
• It offers a detection range of up to 200 meters at 10% reflectivity, meeting the requirements for Level 4 (L4) autonomous driving.
• With an angular resolution of 0.1° x 0.125° and over 3.45 million data points per second, the OT128 provides high-precision sensing for complex environments.
• Easymile has begun deploying the lidar system in its L4 autonomous bus systems, emphasizing the importance of its ultra-high resolution and long-range perception.