Robotics & Automation News

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Autonomous Vehicles

Kodiak Robotics demonstrates new safety technology for autonomous trucks

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Kodiak Robotics, a self-driving trucking company, says it has become the first company to publicly demonstrate a “fallback” system, which can autonomously pull a self-driving truck over to the side of the road in the event of a truck or system failure. (See video below.)

The ability to perform a safe, reliable fallback, otherwise known as having the vehicle assume a minimal risk condition, is critical to safely deploying driverless trucks on public roads.

Don Burnette, founder and CEO, Kodiak, says: “To launch an autonomous vehicle without a human driver, you must ensure the vehicle will protect motorists in the case of a truck or autonomous system failure. [Read more…] about Kodiak Robotics demonstrates new safety technology for autonomous trucks

Latest Euro NCAP gradings show Nissan and Volkswagen are ‘bringing high-performance assisted driving to the mainstream’

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The latest round of Euro NCAP results feature assessment of four new cars with “Level 2 Assisted Driving systems”.

The gradings are based on dedicated protocols designed to encourage the safe adoption of Assisted Driving technology.

The safest systems should provide a good balance of performance across three key areas: the technical competence of the system and level of assistance it can safely offer, the feedback given to the driver to ensure they remain engaged and aware of their responsibilities, and how the car’s safety back-up mechanisms function in the event of an emergency. [Read more…] about Latest Euro NCAP gradings show Nissan and Volkswagen are ‘bringing high-performance assisted driving to the mainstream’

New Nascar vehicle crash tested using robots from AB Dynamics

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Automotive test solution supplier AB Dynamics partnered with famous American motor racing competition Nascar to conduct a driverless, on-track crash test of its “Next Gen” race car that is running in the 2022 Cup Series.

The test vehicle was driven at high speed to a pre-programmed course by driving robots into the banking wall at Talladega Superspeedway.

The aim was to test the safety of the vehicle and the impact on the driver in this type of accident, which is a common crash scenario in the series. [Read more…] about New Nascar vehicle crash tested using robots from AB Dynamics

Beep and Moovit deliver ride-hailing feature for autonomous shuttles

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Beep, a developer of autonomous mobility solutions, and Moovit, an Intel company and provider of mobility as a service, are partnering to offer riders the chance to hail an autonomous shuttle within Beep’s autonomous mobility networks.

The collaboration will provide customers with an “even more predictable, safer, and sustainable form of alternative mobility” with the Moovit On-Demand capabilities.

The Moovit app will be available to riders in Lake Nona, a 17-square mile master-planned community and advanced district in the City of Orlando, providing a more efficient mobility journey, including shortened wait times, and greater insight into their AV ride and beyond. [Read more…] about Beep and Moovit deliver ride-hailing feature for autonomous shuttles

Embark and US Xpress partner to build nationwide terminal network for autonomous trucks

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Embark Trucks, a developer of autonomous technology for the trucking industry, says US Xpress has joined the Embark Partner Development Program and plans to add its terminals to the Embark Coverage Map.

This partnership marks a significant milestone by adding a fleet’s properties into an autonomous truck developer’s transfer point network.

Embark pioneered the transfer point model in 2019 when the company unveiled its first sites in Los Angeles and Phoenix. Transfer points are used to move freight from driverless, long-haul trucks to driver-enabled trucks for first- and last-mile delivery. [Read more…] about Embark and US Xpress partner to build nationwide terminal network for autonomous trucks

Indy Autonomous Challenge racecar sets new speed record for driverless vehicle

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The Indy Autonomous Challenge racecar, a Dallara AV-21 programmed by team PoliMOVE from Politecnico di Milano, Italy, and the University of Alabama, USA, has set a new land speed world record of 192.2 mph / 309.3 kph at the historic Kennedy Space Center.

Operating the Dallara AV-21, PoliMOVE set out to push the limits of a boosted engine package during test runs yesterday at Space Florida’s Launch & Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center.

The upgraded engine package, capable of delivering 30 percent more horsepower than previous models, will be on all IAC racecars moving forward. Future competitions will be announced in the coming months. [Read more…] about Indy Autonomous Challenge racecar sets new speed record for driverless vehicle

Baidu wins ‘first’ driverless permits in China for autonomous ride hailing on public roads

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Baidu Apollo Go has received what it says is the “first ever permits in China” that authorize the company to provide driverless ride-hailing services to the public on open road in Beijing.

This regulatory approval marks a significant milestone for the autonomous ride-hailing industry in China, indicating a regulatory openness to taking a further step toward a fully driverless mobility future.

With these permits issued by the head office of the Beijing High-level Automated Driving Demonstration Area (BJHAD), ten autonomous vehicles without drivers behind the steering wheel will offer rides to passengers in a designated area of 60 square kilometers in Beijing. [Read more…] about Baidu wins ‘first’ driverless permits in China for autonomous ride hailing on public roads

Pony.ai wins approval for public driverless robotaxi service in Beijing

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Pony.ai, the leading global autonomous driving technology company, today announced that the general public in Beijing, China, will be able to experience driverless robotaxis for the first time.

Pony.ai was one of two robotaxi operators awarded a permit by Beijing city authorities to offer driverless service in southeastern Beijing.

Pony.ai has had a permit to driverless test since October 2021 but not with the general public in the car. [Read more…] about Pony.ai wins approval for public driverless robotaxi service in Beijing

NuPort Robotics to take its autonomous trucks and buses to India

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NuPort Robotics, a Canadian autonomous trucking company, says it plans to set up operations in India with a mission to improve safety on Indian roads.

NuPort’s technology provides transportation solutions for heavy-duty commercial vehicles, such as buses and trucks, by enabling next-generation automated vehicles to be more fuel-efficient and safer to operate with enhanced driver experience.

NuPort is targeting the deployment of Level 2 autonomy which includes advanced driver assistance systems, data analysis and driver suggestions – all of which cumulatively lead to safer and more efficient vehicle performance. [Read more…] about NuPort Robotics to take its autonomous trucks and buses to India

Pony.ai becomes ‘first’ autonomous driving company to receive taxi license in China

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Pony.ai, an autonomous driving technology company, claims it has become the “first and only autonomous driving company to obtain a taxi license in China”.

Pony.ai was awarded a permit to operate 100 autonomous vehicles as traditional taxis in Nansha, Guangzhou.

In May, Pony.ai will start charging fares in the entire 800 square kilometers of Nansha with 100 robotaxis and intends to gradually expand the scale and scope of service to other areas of Guangzhou to benefit more residents. [Read more…] about Pony.ai becomes ‘first’ autonomous driving company to receive taxi license in China