Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

sae

German government gives Mercedes-Benz green light to sell autonomous cars

by

Mercedes-Benz has updated its conditionally automated driving system Drive Pilot and has now received the approval by the German Federal Motor Transport Authority.

Mercedes-Benz says that, with this milestone and green light from the government, it is “all set” for the upcoming sales release in early 2025 in Germany.

This update makes Drive Pilot the fastest certified system for conditionally automated driving (SAE‑Level 3) in a standard production vehicle. It’s optionally available on two luxury saloon car ranges – S-Class and EQS. [Read more…] about German government gives Mercedes-Benz green light to sell autonomous cars

Relay Robotics calls for creation of SAE-style autonomy levels for indoor robots

by

Relay Robotics – a provider of indoor robots mainly used in hotels and hospitals to deliver small items – is calling for the creation of a framework for indoor robots similar to that for autonomous road cars.

The SAE – short for Society of Automotive Engineers – released a guidance in 2014 which defined levels of autonomy in automotive vehicles from 0 to 5, and this has become the standard reference for the automotive industry.

Now, in a detailed article, two robotics experts at Relay Robotics – Sonali Deshpande, senior navigation engineer, and Jim Slater, robot systems architect – have outlined a set of definitions which the company hopes will help the wider industry develop such a framework for indoor robots.

[Read more…] about Relay Robotics calls for creation of SAE-style autonomy levels for indoor robots

German industry proposes new development standard for safe automated driving

by

Four years ago, the German automotive industry joined forces with 21 partners in a project to develop the world’s first structures for the verification of safety standards for “automated vehicles” – also referred to as autonomous or self-driving vehicles – in an urban environment. The results of the joint Verification and Validation Methods (VVM) project are now available.

The findings of the pre-competitive research project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and initiated by the VDA flagship initiative autonomous and connected driving, were discussed in detail at the final presentation at the Carl Benz Arena in Stuttgart.

The higher the level of automated driving and the more complex a system’s area of application, the more factors need to be taken into account during development. The first SAE Level 3 systems for freeway driving and an SAE Level 4 system for driverless parking have already been approved. [Read more…] about German industry proposes new development standard for safe automated driving

Robotaxis: The revolutionary mobility choice of the future

by

Every 24 seconds, one person dies in a road accident, according to United Nations (un.org) in its road safety fact sheet published in 2021. It is also stated that more than 90 per cent of car accidents occur due to human errors.

Transportation accounted for 37 per cent of CO2 emissions from end‐use sectors in 2021, as per International Energy Agency.

The above figures talk aloud about the two biggest challenges the transportation industry is facing today:

  1. passenger safety; and
  2. emissions.

Countries world over are putting efforts in terms of changes in policies, subsidies, incentives, and what not, to put a brake on these two issues which see no signs of abatement in the short time period. [Read more…] about Robotaxis: The revolutionary mobility choice of the future

California certifies Mercedes semi-autonomous drive system

by

Mercedes‑Benz says its Drive Pilot system for SAE Level 3 conditionally automated driving received certification from California state authorities.

With this significant milestone Mercedes-Benz is the first car manufacturer with authorization to introduce such a SAE Level 3 system in a standard-production vehicle for use on public freeways in the most populous state in the United States.

Drive Pilot will be available in the US market as an option for model year 2024 Mercedes‑Benz S-Class and EQS Sedan models, with the first cars delivered to customers in late 2023. [Read more…] about California certifies Mercedes semi-autonomous drive system

SAE International launches 12-week robotics for autonomous vehicle systems training ‘Bootcamp’

by

Virtual 12-week experience provides career development opportunities for engineers entering the fast-growing autonomous vehicles industry

SAE International has announced the new 12-week Robotics for Autonomous Vehicle Systems Bootcamp for recent graduates and/or entry-level mechanical, electrical and computer science engineers joining the industry to support autonomous vehicle (AV) system development.

In partnership with Clemson University and Argo AI, SAE designed the rigorous, virtual-only workforce development experience to provide participants with an in-depth technical understanding of how to build autonomous systems.

“Companies can spend upwards of 10 months onboarding entry-level AV positions, which in this fast-moving industry can directly hinder the development and deployment cycles. The Robotics for Autonomous Vehicle Systems Bootcamp aims to support both employers and professionals by bridging the training gap through an accelerated 12-week bootcamp,” said Elizabeth Melville, director of learning at SAE International. [Read more…] about SAE International launches 12-week robotics for autonomous vehicle systems training ‘Bootcamp’

Key industry organisations partner to develop global standards for autonomous vehicles

by

The Autonomous Vehicle Computing Consortium, a global group of automotive and technology industry organisations, has agreed what is described as a “key liaison” with SAE International, the association of more than 200,000 engineers and related technical experts in the aerospace, automotive and commercial-vehicle industries.

The two organisations’ shared goal is to help expedite the development of autonomous and assisted driving solutions through shared technical references, recommendations, design benchmarks and marketing initiatives.

Jack Pokrzywa, ground vehicle standards director, SAE International, says: “For more than a century, SAE Standards have created the safe, reliable and consistent use and adoption of technologies to advance the mobility industry for the benefit of humanity. [Read more…] about Key industry organisations partner to develop global standards for autonomous vehicles

SAE releases new autonomous car definitions

by

SAE, the international engineers’ association, has released a revised set of definitions for autonomous driving. 

The new version keeps SAE’s original six levels of automation, from 0 to 5, but provides more clarification.

The organization explains some aspects of it in its new document, available free on its website.  [Read more…] about SAE releases new autonomous car definitions

Intel to build fleet of 100 autonomous vehicles

by

Determined not to miss out like it did on the smartphone revolution, Intel is developing 100 of its own autonomous cars. 

Intel is still the largest chipmaker in the world in many sectors but in mobile computing technology, other companies have taken the lead.

But there’s not many things as mobile as a road-going vehicle, and newer versions of them need more chips than ever.  [Read more…] about Intel to build fleet of 100 autonomous vehicles

Trump administration will be a catalytic converter for autonomous cars, says Chao

by

Newly appointed US Transport Secretary Elaine Chao says the Trump administration will have a catalysing effect on the autonomous car industry. 

Chao made her first public remarks on the subject while speaking at the National Governors Association, as reported by Reuters.

Chao said: “This administration is evaluating this guidance and will consult with you and other stakeholders as we update it and amend it, to ensure that it strikes the right balance.”

She added that the Trump administration wanted to ensure it “is a catalyst for safe, efficient technologies, not an impediment. In particular, I want to challenge Silicon Valley, Detroit, and all other auto industry hubs to step up and help educate a skeptical public about the benefits of automated technology”.  [Read more…] about Trump administration will be a catalytic converter for autonomous cars, says Chao