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Autonomous Vehicles

Abu Dhabi partners with Glydways to develop ‘transformative autonomous transit technology’

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Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has signed a strategic partnership with Glydways, a provider of automated shuttles and transit networks, to explore the deployment of its innovative transit systems across Abu Dhabi.

The collaboration, which builds on momentum from the recent Abu Dhabi Investment Forum in New York, marks a milestone for the emirate’s Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) cluster and Abu Dhabi’s strategic vision to become a world-leading ecosystem for smart and sustainable mobility.

Announced during DRIFTx, Abu Dhabi’s flagship exhibition for smart and autonomous mobility held as part of Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week (ADAW), the collaboration will see ADIO and Glydways jointly develop an initial project featuring Glydways’ innovative high-capacity system, a revolutionary approach to mass-transit that uses autonomous electric vehicles operating on dedicated guideways to deliver on-demand, zero-emissions urban mobility powered by Glydways’ own AI platform: Glydways OS. [Read more…] about Abu Dhabi partners with Glydways to develop ‘transformative autonomous transit technology’

Micropolis partners with Nvidia to strengthen robotics platform and support global expansion

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Micropolis Holding, owner of Micropolis Robotics, has joined Nvidia’s Inception Program in a move the company says will accelerate the development, testing, and deployment of its autonomous ground robots as it expands across the Middle East and North Africa.

The partnership brings Nvidia’s GPUs and Orin edge computing modules into the core of Micropolis’ unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), enabling key onboard functions such as perception, navigation, and decision-making to run locally rather than through cloud systems.

According to Micropolis, real-time processing on the Orin platform provides faster responses and improved reliability in challenging settings including industrial sites, border regions, and dense urban areas. [Read more…] about Micropolis partners with Nvidia to strengthen robotics platform and support global expansion

Marsh backs Bot Auto with specialty driverless trucking insurance

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Bot Auto, the autonomous freight company pioneering a Transportation-as-a-Service (TaaS) model for the future of logistics, has announced the placement of a comprehensive insurance program that supports the safe scaling and deployment of its autonomous truck fleet.

The program establishes new benchmarks for transparency, insurability, and operational accountability in commercial transportation.

The insurance program – underwritten by an A-rated carrier and placed by Marsh, an insurance broking and risk management company – provides Bot Auto with auto liability, property, general liability, cargo, and inland marine protection, complemented by a separate cyber policy. [Read more…] about Marsh backs Bot Auto with specialty driverless trucking insurance

Einride to go public through SPAC with Legato at $1.8 billion valuation, targeting NYSE listing

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Einride, the Sweden-founded developer of digital, electric and autonomous freight technology, plans to go public through a business combination with Legato Merger Corp. III (NYSEAMERICAN: LEGT), valuing the company at $1.8 billion and aiming for a New York Stock Exchange listing in the first half of 2026, according to the companies.

A spokesperson for Einride said: “Today, Einride, a leading technology company specializing in autonomous and electric freight operations, and Legato Merger Corp., a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), announced their plans to go public through a SPAC deal and a $1.8 billion valuation, and be listed on NYSE.”

The spokesperson added: “Taking a dual Freight-Capacity-as-a-Service (FCaaS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) approach through its EV/AV proprietary Saga platform, Einride has proven itself as a leader in a $4.6 trillion global road freight market, with 25+ enterprise customers and a fleet of approximately 200 electric vehicles, including scaling autonomous deployments.” [Read more…] about Einride to go public through SPAC with Legato at $1.8 billion valuation, targeting NYSE listing

A year after the UN’s driver-assistance regulation came into force, the real race begins

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When the United Nations adopted its Driver Control Assistance Systems (DCAS) regulation towards the end of last year, it was seen as a milestone for global automotive safety and automation.

Now, a year after it entered into force, attention is shifting from legislation to implementation – how automakers, suppliers, and regulators are putting the new rules into practice.

The regulation, officially UN Regulation No. 171, was developed under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the body responsible for harmonising vehicle standards across more than 60 countries. [Read more…] about A year after the UN’s driver-assistance regulation came into force, the real race begins

General Motors announces plans for eyes-off driving and conversational AI

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General Motors says it will introduce “eyes-off” driving capability and new conversational AI systems as part of its next generation of intelligent vehicles. The company described the technologies as key steps toward what it calls “personal autonomy”.

In a statement, GM said that in 2028 it plans to launch eyes-off driving on the Cadillac Escalade IQ (main image), starting with highway use. Turquoise lighting on the dashboard and exterior mirrors will signal when the system is active. “A turquoise light indicates hand-off operation,” the company said.

GM added that the system is built on “redundancy with lidar, radar, and cameras integrated into the vehicle’s design”. According to the company, this combination of sensor fusion, real-world driving data, and simulation “provides a safe, reliable, and highly capable eyes-off autonomous system”. [Read more…] about General Motors announces plans for eyes-off driving and conversational AI

BMW becomes first automaker to gain approval for hands-off driving under new UN regulation

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BMW Group has become the first car manufacturer in Germany (and possibly the world) to receive international approval for its advanced driver assistance systems under the new UN Regulation No. 171 for Driver Control Assistance Systems (DCAS).

The certification applies to the upcoming BMW iX3, part of the company’s Neue Klasse lineup, and paves the way for wider deployment of the brand’s “hands-off” Motorway Assistant across Europe.

The DCAS framework defines global safety and performance standards for Level 2 driver assistance systems, ensuring consistent testing and validation procedures. For BMW, it marks a significant milestone in expanding its portfolio of semi-automated driving functions. [Read more…] about BMW becomes first automaker to gain approval for hands-off driving under new UN regulation

Beep set to launch two joint autonomous vehicle deployments

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Beep, a developer of multi-passenger, autonomous vehicle solutions in the US through the company’s AutonomOS AV mobility platform, has announced two joint – or “shared” – autonomous vehicle deployments that will leverage production-grade, state-of-the-art Karsan Autonomous e-JEST vehicles facilitated through its official distributor Damera, unveiled earlier this month, and enabled by Beep’s previously announced alliance agreement with ADASTEC.

The combination of ADASTEC’s SAE Level-4 automated driving software platform with an advanced sensor suite, Beep’s remote management and orchestration, and Karsan’s reliable Autonomous e-JEST model, will ensure safe and dependable operations in mixed traffic and challenging weather conditions, while also enhancing multimodal connectivity.

Attendees at the Florida Autonomous Vehicle Summit will be able to experience the new vehicle platform in live demonstrations ahead of the deployments in Atlanta and Altamonte Springs. The FAV Summit takes place in Orlando, Florida from November 5-7, 2025. [Read more…] about Beep set to launch two joint autonomous vehicle deployments

Kodiak AI and ZF partner on steering technology for 100 Kodiak-powered driverless trucks

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Kodiak AI, a provider of AI-powered autonomous vehicle technology, has expanded its long-standing partnership with ZF, a global technology company supplying advanced mobility products and systems for commercial vehicles, passenger cars, and industrial technology.

This expanded partnership includes the purchase of 100 steering systems with redundant components, enabling Kodiak to grow its trucking business. Kodiak began integrating these redundant steering components into Kodiak Driver-equipped trucks earlier in 2025.

Praful Bari, head of application engineering, commercial vehicle solutions, ZF, says: “At ZF, our goal is to offer innovative solutions designed to enhance the autonomous vehicle industry by incorporating redundant components and moving towards fail-safe steering systems, enhancing safety, precision, and AI-driven functionality. [Read more…] about Kodiak AI and ZF partner on steering technology for 100 Kodiak-powered driverless trucks

Abu Dhabi Autonomous Summit to focus on regulation, deployment and urban-scale rollout

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Abu Dhabi has announced the programme for its first Abu Dhabi Autonomous Summit, a new high-level forum designed to shape global policy and industrial strategy for autonomous systems across land, sea, air and robotics.

The one-day summit, held on 10 November 2025, will open Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week – a six-day series of events that also includes the DRIFTx smart mobility exhibition, RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2025 and the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL).

Organised by the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), the summit aims to bring together policymakers, technology leaders and investors to translate regulatory frameworks into commercial deployment at scale. [Read more…] about Abu Dhabi Autonomous Summit to focus on regulation, deployment and urban-scale rollout