[241224] #BMW #Momenta #May Mobility

1. BMW Expands Self-Driving Technology Across Its Factories

• BMW is expanding its Automated Driving In-Plant (AFW) system, initially piloted in 2022 at the Dingolfing plant, to autonomously move cars during production.
• The CE-certified system uses Europe’s largest lidar infrastructure, a digital twin environment, and cloud-based automation to navigate vehicles at low speeds.
• Following the success at Dingolfing, the technology is now in use at the Leipzig plant, with plans to implement AFW at facilities in Regensburg, Oxford, and the new plant in Debrecen, Hungary.
• At Leipzig, AFW will handle 90% of BMW and MINI models, with further expansions planned for outdoor distribution areas and enhanced onboard tech integration.
• BMW aims to log millions of test kilometers over the next decade, setting new benchmarks in automation and digitalization while exploring broader applications for autonomous driving.

  

2. Mercedes to use Momenta software in four new models to accelerate China comeback

• Mercedes-Benz plans a $75 million investment in Chinese autonomous driving start-up Momenta, making it the first Chinese supplier to play a key role in Mercedes’ technology strategy.
• The partnership includes using Momenta’s ADAS software in at least four models to be launched in China from 2025 to 2027, with potential expansion beyond 2027 and to markets outside China.
• Mercedes may also invest further as a cornerstone investor in Momenta’s IPO scheduled for early 2025.
• Momenta, a leading supplier of ADAS features similar to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving, already counts BYD, SAIC, Audi, and others as clients, with backing from General Motors and Toyota.
• Mercedes lags in China’s EV market, where only 3% of its cars sold in 2023 were EVs, far behind competitors like Nio, Tesla, and BYD.
• Chinese carmakers like BYD, Nio, Xpeng, and Xiaomi are ramping up in-house ADAS development, driving demand for local suppliers like Momenta, Huawei, and DeepRoute.ai.
• Mercedes continues to explore ADAS solutions with Nvidia, though no products have been unveiled under that partnership.
• The move reflects the intensifying autonomous-driving race in China, pushing Western carmakers to rethink their supply chain strategies.

Mercedes-Benz partners with Momenta for ADAS integration in China, investing $75 million to enhance its presence in the competitive autonomous driving market.

3. LG: SDV-enabled V2X paves the way for autonomous vehicles

• V2X technology enables real-time data exchange between vehicles and infrastructure, enhancing road safety, reducing congestion, and unlocking new business models; the global market is expected to grow from $2 billion in 2024 to $80 billion by 2034.
• LG Electronics (LGE) is advancing V2X with hybrid solutions combining direct and cloud-based systems to address infrastructure challenges and reduce costs, leveraging its 5G-based Soft V2X platform.
• LGE partnered with Volkswagen to develop V2X telematics for MQB and MEB platforms, adhering to stringent standards like IEEE, ETSI, and achieving Common Criteria (CC) certification for V2X security.
• Hybrid V2X systems are expected to combine DSRC and cellular V2X (C-V2X) technologies for high coverage, reduced dead zones, and efficient data transmission.
• Software-defined vehicles (SDVs), with modular architectures and OTA updates, will accelerate V2X development and enable seamless integration of evolving standards and features.
• LGE’s LG AlphaWare software suite enhances vehicle awareness, decision-making, and user experiences, supporting the development of autonomous driving functionalities.
• Combining V2X and SDV architectures, LGE aims to provide a secure, adaptable platform to meet next-gen vehicle needs, fostering a culture of safety and trust in autonomous vehicle technology.

4. May Mobility launches autonomous e-Palette deployment at Toyota Motor Kyushu factory in Fukuoka, Japan

5. Self-driving car company Nuro expands ‘AI-enabled,’ occupant-free vehicles in Houston

• Nuro, an autonomous driving company, announced a 70% expansion of its coverage area in Houston, initially launched in 2019 through a partnership with Kroger for driverless delivery services.
• The expansion includes new zero-occupant Level 4 autonomous vehicles capable of operating without safety drivers, alongside enhanced capabilities like multi-lane road navigation, night operations, and handling complex scenarios.
• Nuro will continue using traditional vehicles like Toyota Priuses with safety drivers for R&D and mapping purposes in Houston.
• Level 4 vehicles, as defined by NHTSA, can operate autonomously in designated areas but still differ from Level 5 autonomy, which has no area restrictions.
• Nuro joins Cruise as one of two autonomous vehicle companies in Houston; Cruise recently resumed operations after a temporary nationwide halt following a San Francisco accident and a $1.5 million fine from NHTSA.
• Texas law (since 2017) prohibits cities from regulating driverless vehicles, enabling companies like Nuro and Cruise to expand operations statewide.