Robotics & Automation News

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Autonomous Vehicles

Autolane raises $7.4 million and introduces curbside operating system for autonomous vehicles at Simon centers

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Autolane, a developer of autonomous vehicle infrastructure, has announced $7.4 million in funding co-led by Draper Associates and Hyperplane, with participation from LAUNCH and Feld Ventures. Additionally, Autolane is deploying its curbside operating system at four Simon Malls and properties in Texas and California.

The funding will accelerate Autolane’s deployment across the retail, restaurant, and commercial property sectors. The technology supports both autonomous ride-hailing services like Waymo and Tesla Robotaxi, as well as autonomous delivery vehicles serving retailers and restaurants within the shopping centers.

Since launching its first full-scale test site in the San Francisco Bay Area in May 2025, Autolane has demonstrated that dedicated autonomous vehicle infrastructure can reduce curbside pickup times by 50 percent or more via operational efficiencies in order communication, handoff, and execution. [Read more…] about Autolane raises $7.4 million and introduces curbside operating system for autonomous vehicles at Simon centers

Daimler Truck and Torc choose Innoviz as LiDAR supplier for Level 4 autonomous trucks

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Innoviz Technologies, a Tier-1 direct supplier of high-performance, automotive-grade LiDAR sensor platforms and complementary software stacks, has announced that Daimler Truck, a commercial vehicle manufacturer, and Torc Robotics, a subsidiary of Daimler Truck, have selected Innoviz as its Short-Range LiDAR supplier for series production SAE Level 4 autonomous Class 8 semi-trucks.

This announcement follows Innoviz’s previous disclosure that a major commercial vehicle OEM had selected the company for future series production of Level 4 autonomous trucks, now revealed to be Daimler Truck.

Innoviz will supply its InnovizTwo Short-Range LiDAR sensors to support Daimler Truck and Torc Robotics’ autonomous commercial vehicle program. As part of a joint development effort, the companies will collaborate to advance the sensors for commercial trucking applications. [Read more…] about Daimler Truck and Torc choose Innoviz as LiDAR supplier for Level 4 autonomous trucks

Hyundai unveils ‘Eccentric’ production-ready autonomous mobility robot platform

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Hyundai Motor Group has unveiled MobED (Mobile Eccentric Droid), its first mass-produced mobility robot platform developed by Hyundai Motor Group’s Robotics LAB, at the International Robot Exhibition 2025 (iREX 2025) in Tokyo, Japan.

First shown as a concept robot at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2022, MobED has been refined into a production-ready, fully autonomous mobility robot platform using artificial intelligence (AI).

The new model takes center stage at the Group’s iREX 2025 booth (West Hall 3-4, W3-44), running from December 3 to 6. Promotional videos showcasing MobED are also accessible via the Group’s official YouTube channel. Watch the video here. [Read more…] about Hyundai unveils ‘Eccentric’ production-ready autonomous mobility robot platform

Hyundai releases new video for next-generation autonomous vehicle platform

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Hyundai Motor Group has released a short promotional video for what appears to be the next generation of its MobED mobility platform. (See video below.)

The 19-second clip, titled “Robotics LAB MobED Teaser | Hyundai Motor Group”, offers only a brief look at a digital interface and provides no specifications or product details.

The company has not yet published an accompanying announcement or updated technical description, and the teaser does not include narration, just music. [Read more…] about Hyundai releases new video for next-generation autonomous vehicle platform

Panasonic Energy enters robotaxi market with battery deal with Zoox

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Panasonic Energy, a business unit of the Panasonic Group, has signed an agreement with Zoox, the Amazon-owned autonomous ride-hailing company, to supply cylindrical lithium-ion batteries to power its robotaxi fleet deployments.

Under the multi-year-agreement, Panasonic Energy will deliver its latest 2170 batteries beginning in early 2026 to support Zoox’s growing robotaxi service and operations.

Zoox has created a purpose-built robotaxi that gives the world a better way to ride, and recently opened its first robotaxi serial production facility in Hayward, California, to produce these vehicles at scale. [Read more…] about Panasonic Energy enters robotaxi market with battery deal with Zoox

Waabi achieves ‘major milestone’ in autonomous truck technology

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Waabi says it has achieved a major technical and commercial breakthrough in autonomous trucking, unveiling surface-street driving capabilities that allow its self-driving trucks to complete entire freight journeys without human intervention.

The company claims it has now accomplished “complete autonomous driving capabilities across both highways and general surface streets”, a milestone it achieved in the first quarter of 2025.

According to Waabi, this unlocks what it describes as the first viable direct-to-customer operating model in the autonomous freight sector. [Read more…] about Waabi achieves ‘major milestone’ in autonomous truck technology

Cumberland, Georgia wins $6.6 million federal grant to launch autonomous shuttle network

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The investment will expand clean, connected, and accessible mobility through the Cumberland Autonomous Mobility Network across Georgia’s economic core

The Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID) and Cobb County, Georgia, will be a recipient of a $6.6 million grant through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Low or No Emission Vehicle Program (Low-No) to launch a new autonomous shuttle network – the Cumberland Autonomous Mobility (CAM) Network – a breakthrough initiative that will connect people, jobs, and destinations across Metro Atlanta’s Cumberland district.

This award distinguishes Cumberland as the first and only autonomous vehicle project in the country to receive the Low-No grant award.

The CAM Network will leverage American technology to deploy a fleet of eight ADA-accessible autonomous shuttles, establishing a connected public transit system that will enhance first- and last-mile access, improve quality of life, and redefine mobility within one of the Southeast’s most dynamic business and entertainment communities. [Read more…] about Cumberland, Georgia wins $6.6 million federal grant to launch autonomous shuttle network

Interview with CEO of autonomous truck tech developer Arbe Robotics: ‘There’s no other radar like ours’

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The autonomous trucking sector is entering one of its most dynamic phases yet. After a decade of scattered pilots, cautious investment, and shifting timelines, the industry is now edging closer to real commercial deployment.

Several factors are converging at once: persistent driver shortages across the freight industry, rising pressure to improve efficiency on long-haul routes, and increasingly mature technology stacks capable of handling high-speed, highway-level autonomy.

Unlike robotaxis – which must navigate dense urban environments filled with unpredictable human behaviour – autonomous trucks benefit from a more structured operational domain. [Read more…] about Interview with CEO of autonomous truck tech developer Arbe Robotics: ‘There’s no other radar like ours’

Red Bull mountain biker jumps through two PlusAI-powered autonomous Scania trucks in less than a second

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Scania says its autonomous trucks, with their cutting-edge AI-based technology, are going to “change how the world moves within the near future”.

Now, the company has announced the successful completion of a groundbreaking challenge that redefines the boundaries of self-driving vehicle technology and human achievement.

The challenge involved two autonomous trucks moving towards each other in perfect sync to create a window of less than a second for a professional mountain biker to jump through the opening in between them. (See video below.) [Read more…] about Red Bull mountain biker jumps through two PlusAI-powered autonomous Scania trucks in less than a second

QCraft enters autonomous logistics sector with Chery partnership to accelerate L4 delivery

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QCraft, an autonomous driving technology provider, has announced its official entry into the Level 4 autonomous logistics sector, marking what it says is “a major milestone” in its commercialization roadmap and expanding its product portfolio beyond passenger mobility and “robobuses”.

Working closely with Chery Commercial Vehicle, QCraft is integrating its L4 autonomous driving technology into Chery’s new commercial vehicle platforms to deliver a new generation of intelligent logistics vehicles. Chery Commercial Vehicle is a subsidiary of Chery Holding Group, China’s largest automotive exporter.

The partnership with Chery supports QCraft in creating a range of industrial applications that will accelerate the scaled rollout and operation of QCraft’s autonomous logistics solutions. [Read more…] about QCraft enters autonomous logistics sector with Chery partnership to accelerate L4 delivery