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Transportation

Continental study uncovers mixed feelings about automated driving in Germany

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According to the Continental Mobility Study 2018, German drivers are ambivalent about automated driving.

While around two thirds would prefer to be chauffeured electronically through stressful traffic jam situations or narrow roadworks on the highway, the number of people who doubt the technical reliability of the technology has risen from 48 to 57 percent in the last five years.

Just under two thirds of respondents express anxieties about automated driving – compared with around half five years ago. Accidents that occurred during test drives in the USA have likely played a role in this.

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Volvo Trucks provides autonomous transport solution to Brønnøy Kalk

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Volvo Trucks has signed a landmark agreement with Brønnøy Kalk AS in Norway to provide its first commercial autonomous solution transporting limestone from an open pit mine to a nearby port.

The solution consists of limestone being transported by six autonomous Volvo FH trucks on a five kilometre stretch through tunnels between the mine itself and the crusher.

Tests of this solution have been carried out successfully and will continue throughout 2018 to become fully operational by the end of 2019.

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Hyundai and Kia enter strategic partnership with Vodafone

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Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors have entered a new pan-European strategic partnership with Vodafone to provide customers with fully-connected in-car infotainment and connected car service.

The strategic partnership enables both car manufacturers to tap into Vodafone’s technical expertise, and offer connected in-car infotainment services to their European drivers.

Hyundai and Kia will use Vodafone’s IoT network to deploy their proprietary service across Europe, enabling customers to benefit from the latest in new telematics technology.

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FedEx acquires 1,000 Chanje electric vehicles

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FedEx Corp. is expanding its fleet to add 1,000 Chanje V8100 electric delivery vehicles, buying 100 of the vehicles from Chanje Energy Inc and leasing 900 from Ryder System, Inc.

The purpose-built electric vehicles will be operated by FedEx Express for commercial and residential pick-up and delivery services in the United States.

The vehicles are manufactured by FDG in Hangzhou, China, and purchased through Chanje Energy Inc., the company’s subsidiary for global business. Ryder System, Inc. will provide support services for all of the vehicles.

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SAIC Motor and China Mobile to create first mass-produced 5G internet vehicle

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SAIC Motor Corporation Limited has signed an agreement with China Mobile Communications Corporation to jointly explore future studies and applications of multiple areas including working together to create the first mass-produced 5G internet vehicle.

The two companies will work on areas such as a 5G communications network, internet-based smart vehicles, an intelligent transportation system (ITS), an in-vehicle entertainment system, overseas resource coordination and the industrial internet.

They will also promote the upgrading of intelligent internet-connection technologies, so as to drive the development of China’s auto industry via the 5G communications technology.

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Oceaneering unveils driverless vehicle for amusement parks

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Oceaneering International, Inc. announced that one of its divisions, Oceaneering Entertainment Systems, has unveiled its newest product, a transportation vehicle system, at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo November 13-16, 2018 in Orlando, Florida.

The REVO-GT is a unique vehicle system that uses self-guided, driverless group transit vehicles, each capable of transporting up to 24 passengers on a dedicated guideway allowing passengers to select from pre-programmed routes connecting different origins to one or more specific destinations.

The battery-powered REVO-GT is based on driverless automated guided vehicle (AGV) technology.

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Continental to strengthen global network of AI experts

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Continental intends to increase its team of experts in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) by 2021 from around 400 employees today to around 700 employees.

The aim was announced as part of the company’s first international ‘AIR (Artificial Intelligence and Robotics) Days’, where almost 200 Continental experts in artificial intelligence and robotics exchanged information about current developments in this research field.

The AIR Days event is part of Continental’s strategy to bolster itself as a technology company that uses artificial intelligence in all areas.

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Rover Speed launches AI-powered autonomous driving suitcase

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A startup company called Rover Speed has introduced what it claims is “the world’s first AI-powered autonomous driving suitcase” through its newly launched Kickstarter campaign.

But unlike other “smart travel” travel suitcase brands that have come and gone, Rover Speed says what sets its “travel robot” apart is its “effortless autonomous control, obstacle avoidance with smartphone tracking and notifications”.

The luggage – which has already surpassed its Kickstarter goal of $30,000 in just a week – is set to be released to early backers in January 2019. The suitcase will be available for pre-order for the next 20 days.  [Read more…] about Rover Speed launches AI-powered autonomous driving suitcase

Honda inaugurates new motorcycle factory in Bangladesh

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Bangladesh Honda Private Limited (BHL), Honda’s motorcycle business joint venture in Bangladesh, has held the grand opening of its new motorcycle factory in the Abdul Monem Economic Zone, Char Boushia, Gazaria, Munshiganj Disrict, Dhaka Division in Bangladesh.

Honda is expanding its business in Bangladesh. As one of its core responsibilities, BHL is leading the development of the country’s motorcycle industry and contributing to the industrialisation of Bangladesh.

The company has relocated its factory from Gazipur to the new location in the Abdul Monem Economic Zone.

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Autonomous vehicles and software developer Ridecell raises $60 million in second funding round

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Ridecell, a developer of autonomous a ride-hailing platform, which includes software and driverless vehicles, has expanded its Series B equity investment round.

The new investments have more than doubled the capital raised in the initial Series B round – $28 million announced in May – to more than $60 million.

The complete Series B round is now being led by Activate Capital, and Raj Atluru, managing director and co-founder of the firm, will join the company’s board as the first outside director.  [Read more…] about Autonomous vehicles and software developer Ridecell raises $60 million in second funding round