[230428] #Continental #Cepton #Hesai

1. Continental will build autonomous hardware for Aurora Innovation

• • Aurora Innovation, an autonomous vehicle technology company, has chosen Continental to manufacture and supply autonomous vehicle components for its self-driving fleet.
  • Continental will produce hardware such as lidar sensors, radar, and camera systems for Aurora’s autonomous vehicles.
  • Continental has been investing in autonomous driving technologies for many years, and it has the expertise and experience necessary to produce high-quality autonomous vehicle components.
  • Aurora’s partnership with Continental will help it to scale up its autonomous vehicle operations quickly and efficiently.
  • Continental’s reputation for producing high-quality automotive components will help to give Aurora’s customers confidence in the safety and reliability of its self-driving vehicles.

2. PreAct Technologies Closes 2nd Round of $20 Million Series B Led by iSquared Capital

• • PreAct Technologies, a provider of AI-powered predictive maintenance solutions, has announced the completion of its second round of Series B funding.
  • The funding round raised $20 million, led by iSquared Capital, a global investment firm.
  • PreAct Technologies provides AI-powered predictive maintenance solutions for various industries, including manufacturing, energy, and transportation.
  • The company’s predictive maintenance solutions help organizations to reduce maintenance costs, improve equipment uptime, and increase operational efficiency.
  • PreAct Technologies plans to use the funds to expand its operations and accelerate the development of its predictive maintenance solutions.

3. Cepton Lidar Deployed in Government-funded Pedestrian Safety Projects in Texas and Utah

• • Cepton Technologies, a leading provider of 3D lidar solutions for automotive, industrial, and mapping applications, has announced that its lidar technology has been deployed in two government-funded pedestrian safety projects in Texas and Utah.
  • The projects aim to improve pedestrian safety by using lidar technology to detect and track pedestrians and provide real-time alerts to drivers.
  • Cepton’s lidar technology provides high-resolution 3D imaging, which enables accurate detection and tracking of pedestrians in real-time.
  • The use of lidar technology in pedestrian safety projects is part of a broader trend towards the integration of advanced sensing technologies into transportation infrastructure to improve safety and reduce accidents.
  • The success of these projects is likely to increase the adoption of lidar technology in transportation infrastructure and accelerate the development of autonomous vehicles.

4. Lotus Eletre chases level four autonomy with integrated lidar sensors

• • Lotus Eletre is a new SUV that will be one of the first cars in the UK to feature multiple lidar sensors, including two that deploy out of the front wings when in operation, shorter-range radar, and high-definition cameras.
  • The car is already close to being a true level three car, allowing prolonged ‘hands-off’ operation, and can go 200km (124 miles) between interventions with frequent updates.
  • The ultimate ambition is to push it to 100,000km (62,150 miles) per intervention, effectively equivalent to level four operation.
  • The car’s system will be based mostly on real-world perception through the car’s on-board sensors rather than relying heavily on frequently updated high-definition mapping.
  • The system will also learn how an owner prefers to drive, allowing for a more personalized autonomous experience.
  • Challenges in Europe will include higher speeds, different traffic rules, and colder conditions, but Lotus has developed a high-pressure spray system to keep the lidar sensors clean.
  • The processor power required to run higher-level self-driving may need to be de-energised if a car runs critically short of charge to help maximise remaining range.

5. Hesai Obtains ISO 26262 ASIL B Safety Standard for QT128 Lidar Sensor

• • Hesai, a Chinese lidar manufacturer, has obtained the ISO 26262 ASIL B safety standard for its QT128 lidar sensor.
  • The ASIL B standard is a risk classification system used in the automotive industry to determine the safety of electronic systems in vehicles.
  • The QT128 lidar sensor is designed for use in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicles, and its ASIL B rating indicates that it has a high level of safety integrity.
  • Hesai is one of several Chinese lidar companies competing in the global market, which is dominated by companies such as Velodyne and Luminar.
  • The certification of Hesai’s lidar sensor to the ASIL B standard could help the company gain credibility and increase its market share.
  • The automotive industry is increasingly focused on safety as autonomous vehicles become more prevalent, and the ISO 26262 standard is an important benchmark for companies seeking to provide safe and reliable electronic systems.