Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Autonomous Vehicles

Einride partners with GE to start first full-time daily commercial autonomous truck operation

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Einride, a developer of electric and autonomous trucks, has launched full-time operations with its autonomous vehicle.

The operations, in partnership with GE Appliances, a Haier company, mark “an important step” in the integration of autonomous transportation supporting full time commercial flows, according to the company.

The daily transport of finished goods takes place between GE Appliances’ manufacturing facility and warehouse in Selmer, Tennessee, Monday through Thursday, enabling up to seven shuttles a day, producing zero tailpipe emissions through the autonomous operation and showcasing how Einride’s freight capacity as a service (FaaS) model can be enabled with autonomous vehicles. [Read more…] about Einride partners with GE to start first full-time daily commercial autonomous truck operation

Is Waymo Safer than Cruise?

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According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute, 42,939 drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and others died in 2021 across the U.S. and Puerto Rico as the result of 39,508 crashes involving 61,322 vehicles. The estimated national economic impact exceeded $340 billion.

Data from previous decades revealed fewer yearly crashes, vehicles and related deaths. Although the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent distractions and adverse events likely increased the 2021 numbers, experts believe an increase in the world population might lead to a pattern of ever-increasing crashes every year going forward.

That said, the rate of crash deaths out of 100,000 people remains low. In fact, the 2021 numbers were 39% lower than similar data in the 40 years prior. As a result, proponents of self-driving tech believe their vehicles will reduce overall yearly deaths and injuries, while offering convenience and other benefits. [Read more…] about Is Waymo Safer than Cruise?

May Mobility advances toward rider-only operations with latest software update

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May Mobility, a developer of autonomous vehicle technology, has released its newest software, which provides “major performance improvements” to a wide range of vehicle functions and rider experience elements and will enable rides to be “twice as comfortable”, according to the company.

This latest update is the foundation of the company’s soon-to-be-released fully driverless software and signals May Mobility’s shift to a focus on rider-only operations.

These updates enhance overall rider comfort, trip efficiency and safety, and mark May Mobility’s continued commitment to achieving the most comfortable AV ride. [Read more…] about May Mobility advances toward rider-only operations with latest software update

Orlando and Beep launch autonomous shuttle pilot

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The City of Orlando has started a six-month autonomous shuttle pilot program in partnership with Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX) and Beep, an Orlando-based provider of autonomous shared mobility solutions.

The autonomous pilot, called SWAN Shuttle (Shuttling With Autonomous Navigation), will provide the city and LYNX data and learnings to guide the city’s transportation strategy on how shared, electric and autonomous vehicles can enhance accessibility, improve the quality of life for residents and ensure the city remains future-ready and sustainable.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer says: “The City of Orlando believes communities must be connected to thrive, and so we are always looking at new ways to embrace creative, innovative ways to do this. [Read more…] about Orlando and Beep launch autonomous shuttle pilot

Fernride raises $50 million in Series A funding to scale autonomous yard trucking

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Germany-based autonomous trucking innovator Fernride has closed a further $19 million in its Series A funding, pushing the total round amount to $50 million.

This comes as the company strengthens its focus on advancing the transition towards automated and sustainable logistics by creating the world’s leading human-machine collaboration technology.

The funding increase will further cement Fernride’s position as a leader in autonomous, electric trucking by accelerating its growth. [Read more…] about Fernride raises $50 million in Series A funding to scale autonomous yard trucking

Horizon and Wind River partner to develop autonomous vehicle solutions

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Wind River, a developer of software for mission-critical intelligent systems, has agreed a strategic collaboration with Horizon Robotics to advance smart driving solutions.

Horizon is a leading provider of energy-efficient computing solutions for advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) for consumer vehicles in China.

The collaboration between the two companies will enable OEMs to leverage a fully integrated ADAS hardware/software solution based on Horizon’s Journey series computing solutions and the Wind River cloud-to-edge portfolio. [Read more…] about Horizon and Wind River partner to develop autonomous vehicle solutions

Cumberland community group launches autonomous shuttle pilot program

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The Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID) is partnering with Beep, a provider of multi-passenger and electric autonomous mobility solutions, to launch the Cumberland Hopper, an autonomous shuttle pilot program providing additional connectivity throughout the Cumberland district. 

This collaboration represents a significant step forward in transforming transportation options within Cumberland, offering enhanced connectivity, sustainability, and convenience to the business community, residents, and visitors.

The pilot program launched on July 25th and will operate through March 2024, demonstrating the Cumberland CID’s commitment to delivering safe and reliable mobility options to the growing Cumberland community. [Read more…] about Cumberland community group launches autonomous shuttle pilot program

Robotaxis: The revolutionary mobility choice of the future

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Every 24 seconds, one person dies in a road accident, according to United Nations (un.org) in its road safety fact sheet published in 2021. It is also stated that more than 90 per cent of car accidents occur due to human errors.

Transportation accounted for 37 per cent of CO2 emissions from end‐use sectors in 2021, as per International Energy Agency.

The above figures talk aloud about the two biggest challenges the transportation industry is facing today:

  1. passenger safety; and
  2. emissions.

Countries world over are putting efforts in terms of changes in policies, subsidies, incentives, and what not, to put a brake on these two issues which see no signs of abatement in the short time period. [Read more…] about Robotaxis: The revolutionary mobility choice of the future

California certifies Mercedes semi-autonomous drive system

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Mercedes‑Benz says its Drive Pilot system for SAE Level 3 conditionally automated driving received certification from California state authorities.

With this significant milestone Mercedes-Benz is the first car manufacturer with authorization to introduce such a SAE Level 3 system in a standard-production vehicle for use on public freeways in the most populous state in the United States.

Drive Pilot will be available in the US market as an option for model year 2024 Mercedes‑Benz S-Class and EQS Sedan models, with the first cars delivered to customers in late 2023. [Read more…] about California certifies Mercedes semi-autonomous drive system

Einride goes live in Norway to lead electric deployment of freight mobility

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Einride, a freight mobility company that provides digital, electric and autonomous technology, has launched its solutions in Norway, the country with the highest number of electric vehicles per person.

The announcement comes at a time when Norway has enacted new sustainability targets that are more ambitious than those laid out by the European Commission, striving for all new heavy vehicles in Norway to be zero-emission by 2040.

Despite being at the forefront of the electric revolution, with the world’s highest per capita number of EVs, heavy-duty vehicles in Norway still contribute to nearly 9 per cent of the country’s CO2 emissions, equivalent to 4.4 million tonnes of CO2. [Read more…] about Einride goes live in Norway to lead electric deployment of freight mobility