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How to Protect Your Truck and Yourself on the Road

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Truck accidents are the most deadly form of motor vehicle accidents in the US today, with more than 4,000 people killed and tens of thousands injured annually. They are also the most expensive form of motor vehicle accident due to the large size and weight of the vehicles involved.

Despite the inherent dangers, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself and your truck when traveling on the highways or even in urban areas. [Read more…] about How to Protect Your Truck and Yourself on the Road

Why the Automotive Future is Electric

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With the global automotive market shifting towards electrification at an unprecedented rate, electric cars or EVs are slated to become the next generation of personal transportation.

By 2040, an estimated 40 million units of EVs are expected to hit the roads, essentially replacing the IC engine. Several manufacturers have already shifted their focus on EV platforms and the latest entry into the segment is the Mazda MX-30, the company’s first all-electric offering.

Taking the MX-30 as an example, we can see how far the EV industry has come over the years. Mixing style and practicality with its rear-hinged doors, the 2022 MX-30 is as good as a modern EV can get. [Read more…] about Why the Automotive Future is Electric

Pony.ai and SAIC AI Lab to develop fully driverless EV robotaxi

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Pony.ai, a leading global autonomous driving technology company, is collaborating with SAIC AI Lab, a division of SAIC Motor (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation), China’s largest auto manufacturer, to jointly explore and advance driverless technology.

Together with SAIC AI Lab, Pony.ai launched a concept vehicle based on the SAIC Marvel R model and will build out a fleet of autonomous vehicles equipped with Pony.ai’s L4-level driverless solutions, over time.

The concept car is equipped with the latest generation of Pony.ai technology, which utilizes 17 integrated automotive-grade sensors to create a 360-degree visual range covering 200 meters, eliminating blind spots around the vehicle. [Read more…] about Pony.ai and SAIC AI Lab to develop fully driverless EV robotaxi

Auve Tech launches new generation self-driving vehicle

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Estonian company Auve Tech has launched a new generation self-driving vehicle.

MiCa is the latest self-driving shuttle from Auve Tech, which specializes in developing and producing autonomous vehicles.

The startup says MiCa takes safety, practicality and self-driving to “a new level” and allows autonomous driving in various weather and traffic conditions. [Read more…] about Auve Tech launches new generation self-driving vehicle

10 Winter Car Problems You Can’t Ignore

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In most parts of the country, winter means dealing with frigid temperatures, snow, ice and salt-covered roads. At first glance, this may not seem like it has much to do with your car or your driving.

However, the truth is that winter can present serious dangers when you’re behind the wheel and expose the vehicle itself to serious damage. Pay attention to these 10 common winter car problems and you’ll be prepared to handle whatever Mother Nature throws your way. [Read more…] about 10 Winter Car Problems You Can’t Ignore

Study Shows US Drivers Believe Partially Automated Vehicles Are Fully Self-Driving

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US drivers may be treating their partially-autonomous vehicles as fully self-driving, according to a new study.

Research shows that owners of advanced systems, such as General Motors’ Super Cruise or Tesla’s Autopilot, believe that these technologies have more capabilities than they actually do.

Academics are concerned that such findings could lead to more unnecessary collisions in the future. [Read more…] about Study Shows US Drivers Believe Partially Automated Vehicles Are Fully Self-Driving

Mercedes-Benz claims its ‘Drive Pilot’ is world’s first internationally certified Level 3 automated car technology

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Mercedes-Benz says its Drive Pilot automated driver assistance system has become the world’s first internationally certified Level 3 automated car technology. The company adds that it backs redundancy for safe conditionally automated driving.

When it comes to conditionally automated driving (SAE Level 3), safety and reliability are the top priorities for Mercedes-Benz. Drive Pilot is therefore based on a system architecture that enables safe control of all situations that could potentially arise.

To this end, braking, steering, power supply and some parts of the sensor system are designed with physical and functional redundancy. By adopting this safety‑focused approach to system design, Mercedes-Benz is setting completely new benchmarks in automated driving. [Read more…] about Mercedes-Benz claims its ‘Drive Pilot’ is world’s first internationally certified Level 3 automated car technology

ZF to showcase autonomous commercial transportation system solutions

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ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Solutions division will present its latest range of future-ready automation technologies and expertise at IAA Transportation 2022.

This includes ZF’s innovative next generation Autonomous Driving Open Platform Technology (ADOPT) automated chassis control solution.

The advanced platform bridges autonomous vehicles’ virtual driver software with its actuation systems using standardized interfaces developed to automotive standards. [Read more…] about ZF to showcase autonomous commercial transportation system solutions

Baidu granted China’s ‘first-ever’ permits for commercial driverless ride-hailing services

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Baidu, China’s equivalent of Google, has secured the first permits in China to offer commercial fully driverless robotaxi services to the public on open roads.

Apollo Go, Baidu’s autonomous ride-hailing service, is now authorized to collect fares for robotaxi rides – completely without human drivers in the car – in Chongqing and Wuhan, two of China’s largest megacities.

Amid increasing regulatory approval of the expansion of autonomous vehicles (AVs), the permits reflect regulatory authorities’ strong recognition and trust in the strength of Baidu’s autonomous driving technology. [Read more…] about Baidu granted China’s ‘first-ever’ permits for commercial driverless ride-hailing services

Pony.ai and SANY to mass produce autonomous trucks

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Pony.ai, an autonomous driving technology company, has formed a strategic joint venture with SANY Heavy Truck, a subsidiary of SANY Heavy Industry, a Chinese heavy equipment manufacturer and the third largest heavy equipment manufacturer globally.

Pony.ai and SANY say they will collaborate to create a “world-leading autonomous truck brand”.

The two companies say they will “deeply integrate” Pony.ai’s “virtual driver” with SANY’s technical accumulation in the field of wire-controlled chassis and vehicle development to jointly develop high-end heavy trucks that are automotive-grade and have L4-class redundancies. These trucks will inaugurate the future of truck logistics transportation.

The joint venture plans to start small-scale deliveries of the robotrucks in 2022 and 2023. Mass production of the L4 truck will commence in 2024 and within a few years will reach an annual production of around 10,000 trucks. [Read more…] about Pony.ai and SANY to mass produce autonomous trucks