[250114] #Tesla #KargoBot #Aurora

1. Trump and Tesla will turbocharge self-driving race

• The autonomous and assisted driving market is expected to grow to $400 billion by 2035, with carmakers like Tesla, Waymo, and Baidu leading the race.
• Level 4 robotaxis are already being tested by companies such as Waymo, Pony AI, and Baidu, while only 5.5% of cars sold in 2024 featured simpler Level 2+ systems.
• Donald Trump’s presidency could accelerate U.S. adoption by reducing AI regulations, enabling faster data collection and commercialization of autonomous technologies.
• China leads the race with 19 companies trialing fully autonomous vehicles; Goldman Sachs estimates 90% of Chinese vehicle sales will feature Level 3+ automation by 2040, compared to 65% in the U.S.
• Autonomous features are becoming essential in purchase decisions, with Chinese consumers expecting such technology at no extra cost, driving a price war among automakers.
• Increased R&D costs for self-driving technology may not lead to higher vehicle prices, pressuring manufacturers to innovate or risk falling behind.
• Automakers are investing heavily in autonomy: BYD ($14B), Toyota ($11.3B), and Volkswagen ($700M in Xpeng) to access expertise.
• Partnerships with pioneers like Li Auto and Xiaomi could help lagging carmakers remain competitive in the autonomous driving market.
• The autonomous driving race in 2025 will intensify as automakers strive to integrate advanced technologies while managing costs and consumer expectations.

  

2. Shaanxi Automobile delivers 10,000th new energy heavy-duty truck to KargoBot

• KargoBot received its 10,000th new energy heavy-duty truck from Shaanxi Automobile on December 18, equipped with L4 autonomous driving technology.
• The partnership focuses on creating a green and smart freight ecosystem through autonomous driving, “virtual driver” services, and intelligent freight scheduling.
• Since 2021, KargoBot has operated L4 autonomous freight solutions in Ordos, specializing in bulk commodity transportation.
• Collaboratively, KargoBot and Shaanxi Automobile developed scenario-adapted vehicle performance, redundant chassis technology, and a mass-production system for autonomous heavy-duty trucks.
• Nearly 300 co-developed trucks have been deployed for testing and operations, forming the largest autonomous truck fleet in the industry.
• KargoBot’s L4 hybrid convoy solution with new energy trucks saves 100,000–200,000 yuan annually per vehicle, reduces CO₂ emissions, and lowers logistics costs by 20%.

KargoBot’s collaboration with Shaanxi Automobile has produced mass-market autonomous heavy-duty trucks, cutting logistics costs and emissions.

3. Aurora opens Bozeman lidar facility as Volvo begins Texas truck tests

• Aurora Innovation opened a 78,000-square-foot research and test facility at Montana State University’s Innovation Campus in Bozeman, Montana, to advance its lidar-based autonomous driving system, Aurora Driver.
• The facility includes advanced R&D labs, a cleanroom, vehicle testing spaces, and collaboration areas to develop Aurora’s FirstLight FMCW lidar technology, originally created by Blackmore Sensors before Aurora’s 2019 acquisition.
• FirstLight technology combines FMCW lidar with high-resolution cameras and imaging radar, enabling Aurora Driver to handle challenging conditions like glare and tunnel transitions.
• Aurora Driver, currently undergoing public road testing in Texas, is expected to launch commercial operations in April, with Volvo Autonomous Solutions and DHL Supply Chain testing freight routes between key Texas cities.
• Volvo’s VNL Autonomous trucks, powered by Aurora Driver, feature built-in redundancy systems to ensure safety by replacing the backup function of human drivers.
• Aurora’s autonomous systems aim to revolutionize transportation by reducing costs, optimizing supply chains, improving safety, and offering drivers new roles like remote fleet management to address labor challenges.

4. Plus Adds H.E.L.P.® Alerts To Enhance Driverless Trucking Operations

5. Stradvision signs license agreement with Japan’s Renesas… “to enhance ADAS capabilities”

• StradVision announced a master licensing agreement with Renesas on the 19th of December.
• The agreement integrates StradVision’s core software, SVNet, with Renesas’ R-Car SoC platform, enabling the delivery of advanced ADAS solutions.
• This partnership accelerates the innovation of autonomous driving and ADAS technologies, aiding OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers in faster development of software-defined vehicles (SDVs).
• The collaboration enhances safety, reliability, and performance standards for next-generation ADAS and autonomous systems, especially through the integration of StradVision’s AI-based vision recognition technology.
• The ADAS market is expected to grow rapidly due to increasing demand for vehicle safety and autonomous driving features, with this partnership facilitating the commercialization of high-performance systems.