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Pony.ai raises $400 million from Toyota for autonomous driving development

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Pony.ai, an autonomous driving company, has raised $400 million from Toyota to deepen and expand the two companies’ collaboration in mobility services.

The investment comes as an extension of a business partnership that was formed between Pony.ai and Toyota in 2019.

Building upon the foundation established last year, both companies will further advance their joint efforts in autonomous driving technology development and mobility service deployment. [Read more…] about Pony.ai raises $400 million from Toyota for autonomous driving development

City of Fremont and Pony.ai launch autonomous vehicle commuter pilot program

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The City of Fremont and autonomous technology company Pony.ai have launched a pilot program offering rides for a group of City employees via Pony.ai’s shared, on-demand, autonomous last-mile service.

The participating employees will ride in Pony.ai autonomous vehicles from Fremont’s Amtrak/ACE Station to City Hall and City of Fremont Development Services Center.

Fremont Mayor Lily Mei says: “By partnering with a local autonomous technology firm Pony.ai, the City of Fremont is acting as a test bed for a transportation solution that has the potential to alleviate congestion, reduce carbon emissions, decrease the number of traffic accidents, and optimize vehicle and land usage. [Read more…] about City of Fremont and Pony.ai launch autonomous vehicle commuter pilot program

ZVerse and Forecast 3D form partnership for CAD as a service

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ZVerse, developer of a “CAD as a service” platform for digital manufacturing, has partnered with Forecast 3D, a fastest-growing digital manufacturer, to provide ZVerse’s CAD as a Service platform to Forecast 3D’s customers.

This strategic partnership will give Forecast 3D customers direct access to the CADaaS platform on the Forecast 3D website.

It will make ZVerse’s AI-enabled system and network of certified 3D designers available to customers of Forecast 3D. [Read more…] about ZVerse and Forecast 3D form partnership for CAD as a service

Porsche selects DB Schenker to operate Canada distribution centre

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Porsche Cars Canada has selected DB Schenker to operate its new Mississauga, Ontario parts distribution centre.

Expected to ship about 282,000 orders during its first year in operation, the new facility joins two other DB Schenker-Porsche parts distribution centres that are already operating in China and Korea.

Known for making some of the world’s best-known sports cars, sedans, and SUVs, Porsche Cars Canada, has selected DB Schenker Canada to operate its new parts distribution centre in Mississauga, Ontario. [Read more…] about Porsche selects DB Schenker to operate Canada distribution centre

May Mobility raises $50 million in funding round led by Toyota

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May Mobility, an autonomous transportation-as-a-service provider, has closed a $50 million Series B funding round led by Toyota.

There was also participation from Sparx Group, alongside return investors Millennium Technology Value Partners, Cyrus Capital Partners, BMW iVentures, and Toyota AI Ventures.

The company says the round will help fund strategic hires across the engineering and operations functions, and expansion of the vehicle fleet to meet growing demand. [Read more…] about May Mobility raises $50 million in funding round led by Toyota

Bosch and Mercedes-Benz start automated ride-hailing service in San José

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Bosch and Mercedes-Benz’s joint project to develop urban automated driving has now entered a new stage.

Their pilot project for an app-based ride-hailing service using automated Mercedes-Benz S-Class vehicles has now been launched in the Silicon Valley city of San José.

Monitored by a safety driver, the self-driving cars shuttle between West San José and downtown, along the San Carlos Street and Stevens Creek Boulevard thoroughfares. [Read more…] about Bosch and Mercedes-Benz start automated ride-hailing service in San José

Plus Automation wins its first robotics-as-a-service contract

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Logistics and supply chain technology startup Plus Automation has won its first robotics-as-a-service contract with Jun Co, a Japanese company with diversified interests including fashion, food and fitness products. 

The company was jointly established in June 2019 and is 60 per cent owned by Mitsui, a Japanese conglomerate, and GLP Japan, said to be the largest Japanese logistics company but also has real estate and other interests.

The contract between Plus and Jun consists of a standard annual subscription together with the option to add robots when cargo volumes increase, making it “a highly convenient service package”, says Plus. [Read more…] about Plus Automation wins its first robotics-as-a-service contract

Blue Ocean Robotics raises $12 million to develop service robotics market

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Blue Ocean Robotics, said to be the “world’s first” robot venture factory, has raised almost $12 million to develop its position in the service robotics market.

Blue Ocean Robotics is entering new robot markets with service robots for the healthcare, hospitality, construction and agriculture industries.

The new investment is described as a recognition of the strength of Blue Ocean Robotics’ business model and success. [Read more…] about Blue Ocean Robotics raises $12 million to develop service robotics market

Panasonic introduces autonomous ride share service around its Japan HQ

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Panasonic has launched autonomous ride share service around its headquarters, which cover an area of approximately 468,000 sq meters and has about 14,000 staff. (See video below.)

The company says that, as autonomous driving evolves and interest in mobility as a service grows, there are “increasing expectations” for their adoption in towns and communities.

Panasonic says offering an autonomous ride share service for its employees around its headquarters in Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan, is the first step towards this direction. [Read more…] about Panasonic introduces autonomous ride share service around its Japan HQ

AGCO completes Maryland assembly, distribution, training facility

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AGCO Corporation, a worldwide distributor and manufacturer of agricultural equipment, has completed expansion of its Edgewood, Maryland assembly and distribution facility.

The facility will be used to build Fendt high horsepower tractors and Massey Ferguson compact and utility tractors and equipment.

The location also now includes a training center to provide dealers in the region a more cost-effective, time-efficient location for product and service training. [Read more…] about AGCO completes Maryland assembly, distribution, training facility