[230526] #Hesai #Uber #Volvo

1. Lidar maker Hesai turns Q1 profit on sales boom and rising margins

• • LiDAR manufacturer Hesai achieved profitability in the first quarter of the year due to a surge in sales and improved profit margins.
  • Hesai’s revenue increased significantly in Q1 2023, driven by the growing demand for LiDAR technology in various industries, including autonomous vehicles and robotics.
  • The company experienced a rise in profit margins, indicating improved operational efficiency and cost management.
  • Hesai’s success can be attributed to the increased adoption of LiDAR sensors in autonomous driving applications, as well as the expansion of its product offerings and customer base.
  • The company aims to further strengthen its market position and capitalize on the growing demand for LiDAR technology by continuing to develop innovative products and enhancing customer relationships.
  • Hesai’s achievements highlight the positive outlook for LiDAR technology and its potential to drive growth in the autonomous vehicle and robotics sectors.

2. Hesai and CRATUS Partner on Lidar-Based Warehouse Solution

• • Hesai Technology and Cratus Technology have formed a strategic partnership to develop autonomous warehouse solutions.
  • The partnership aims to leverage safety-rated 3D LiDAR technology for the development of advanced autonomous systems.
  • Hesai Technology will provide its Pandar128 LiDAR sensor, known for its high resolution and long detection range, to Cratus Technology.
  • Cratus Technology will integrate the Pandar128 LiDAR into its autonomous warehouse solutions, enabling accurate and reliable perception of the surrounding environment.
  • The combined solution will enhance the capabilities of autonomous robots and vehicles used in warehouse automation, enabling them to navigate and operate safely.
  • The integration of 3D LiDAR technology will improve object detection and collision avoidance, ensuring a higher level of safety in warehouse operations.

3. Uber teams up with Google’s Waymo on self-driving cars

• • Uber has signed a deal with Waymo, a sister company of Google, to offer Waymo’s self-driving cars through the Uber ride-hailing app.
  • Waymo’s driverless cars will be available for Uber rides and food delivery in the Phoenix area by the end of the year.
  • The alliance between Google and Uber, former rivals in the race to build driverless cars, could accelerate progress in self-driving technology.
  • Both companies had previously been competitors but settled a lawsuit in 2017 over allegations of trade secret theft.
  • Uber had invested in AI and hired a top Google self-driving engineer, but later sold its self-driving division to Aurora in 2020.
  • Waymo has continued to refine its self-driving technology and has received permission to operate self-driving cars in San Francisco.

4. Convoy Joins Volvo Autonomous Solutions Reservation Program

• • Convoy, a digital freight network, is collaborating with Volvo Autonomous Solutions (V.A.S.) to secure autonomous freight capacity on select routes in Texas.
  • The partnership aims to bring efficiency to the supply chain and allow shippers in Convoy’s network to utilize autonomous transport solutions.
  • The reservation program will operate on a hub-to-hub model, with Convoy’s carrier network delivering loads to pick-up hubs in Texas, and V.A.S.’s autonomous fleet handling the long-haul to the next hub.
  • Autonomous trucks will operate on highways between transfer hubs, improving safety, efficiency, and freight volume growth.
  • The approach aims to create more demand for truck drivers to deliver goods from the transfer hubs to their final destinations.
  • This model enhances the work-life balance of truck drivers by enabling local drivers to transition into short-haul jobs, granting them more time at home and improving their quality of life.

5. Self-Driving Buses Launching in Japan

• • Autonomous driving technology company ZMP Inc. is set to launch self-driving buses in Japan in collaboration with logistics company Hinomaru Kotsu Co.
  • The self-driving buses, equipped with ZMP’s autonomous driving technology, will operate on a fixed route in Tokyo’s Ota Ward.
  • The buses will transport passengers between the Haneda Airport and the city’s busy Ota Ward district.
  • The initiative aims to address the shortage of drivers and provide an efficient and convenient transportation option for commuters.
  • ZMP’s autonomous technology enables the buses to navigate urban environments, including handling traffic signals, pedestrians, and other vehicles.
  • The buses will undergo a trial period to test their safety and functionality before officially launching the service to the public.