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TTTech Auto expands in China with software platform for automated driving

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TTTech Auto, the Austria-based technology company specialising in automotive safety software, is expanding its operations with a dedicated subsidiary in China.

The new TTTech Auto branch in Shanghai will bring its expertise and the series proven safe vehicle software platform, MotionWise, to car manufacturers, Tier 1 suppliers and partners to the rapidly developing Chinese automotive market.

TTTech Auto already has a presence in the Chinese market through its joint venture Technomous operated together with SAIC Motor, China’s largest automotive manufacturer. This further expansion, with an office in Shanghai, is part of the growth strategy in light of a $285 million (EUR 250 million) investment from Aptiv and Audi announced earlier this year. [Read more…] about TTTech Auto expands in China with software platform for automated driving

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

Elite Robot raises ‘tens of millions of dollars’ in Series C funding round

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Shanghai-based Elite Robot says it has raised “tens of millions of dollars” in its Series C funding round. 

Founded in 2017, Elite Robot says its robots give retailers and factories more choice, control and flexibility over their productions by managing the back-end of the production.

The robots present programming options, securely processing units, and mitigating 4 Ds tasks – while providing a seamless front-end experience.  [Read more…] about Elite Robot raises ‘tens of millions of dollars’ in Series C funding round

Siemens expands robotic activities with Geekplus

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Geekplus, a manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots, has expanded its collaboration with electronic components manufacturer Siemens Switchgear Shanghai with the second phase of a smart manufacturing automation project.

The expansion introduces more of Geekplus’s goods-to-person picking and materials handling robots to the multi-robot configuration and opens up a further 3,000 sq m of automated warehousing space. The system achieved a delivery accuracy rate of 100 percent, with materials accuracy of over 99.98 percent in the production line.

Siemens Switchgear Shanghai first joined forces with Geekplus in 2019 and successfully built a full-process flexible automated intelligent logistics factory using four types of Geekplus robots: P800R goods-to-person picking robots, MP1000R moving robots, RS2 tote-to-person robots, and X-series four-way shuttles for high-density storage. [Read more…] about Siemens expands robotic activities with Geekplus

Baidu launches robotaxi test service in Shanghai with Apollo Go ride-hailing platform

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Baidu has launched testing of its Apollo Go in Shanghai, marking the fifth city where passengers have the ability to trial the robotaxi mobile platform. Baidu is the only company to offer this service in the three first-tier cities of Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai.

The Shanghai operation will include 150 stations opened in phases throughout the city to provide users convenient access to residential areas, commercial areas, offices and public transportation. Passengers can use the service from 9.30 am to 11.00 pm every day of the week.

This launch comes on the heels of another milestone for Baidu Apollo – the expansion of Apollo Go to Tongzhou District in Beijing, where the service will enable residents and visitors of the suburb to experience travel in an autonomous vehicle. [Read more…] about Baidu launches robotaxi test service in Shanghai with Apollo Go ride-hailing platform

OrionStar showcases Qualcomm-enabled 5G service robots at MWC Shanghai

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OrionStar, the robotics company invested in by telecommunications company Cheetah Mobile, has developed three service robots embedded with Qualcomm’s 5G solutions and processing capabilities.

The company showcased some of its technologies at the recent Mobile World Congress (MWC) Shanghai 2021.

By adding 5G connectivity, the robots get a powerful boost in AI performance to provide an even higher level of stability, consistency, responsiveness, coordination and remote control capabilities. [Read more…] about OrionStar showcases Qualcomm-enabled 5G service robots at MWC Shanghai

AutoX launches fully driverless RoboTaxi service to the public in China

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Autonomous driving company AutoX has launched a “fully driverless” RoboTaxi pilot program to the public in Shenzhen, China after its taxis completed final testing last month. (See video below.)

This marks the first time that the general public will be able to book a completely autonomous RoboTaxi without accompanying safety drivers in China.

Members of the public can sign up for the pilot program through AutoX’s RoboTaxi registration page. Selected pilot users can use AutoX membership credits for the RoboTaxi rides. [Read more…] about AutoX launches fully driverless RoboTaxi service to the public in China

Mitsubishi’s elevator business in China produces its one millionth unit

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Mitsubishi Electric says its Shanghai Mitsubishi Elevator Company (SMEC), a joint venture company operating in China, has produced its one millionth unit.

The figure includes both elevators and escalators, and comes 34 years after starting production at the company’s Min Hung Plant in 1987.

Mitsubishi Electric, working in collaboration with SMEC, says it continues to deliver “safety, peace of mind and riding comfort in China”, the world’s largest elevator and escalator market, and maintain its “market-leading brand”. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi’s elevator business in China produces its one millionth unit

AutoX puts fully driverless RoboTaxis on the roads in China

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AutoX has rolled out fully driverless RoboTaxis on the roads of downtown Shenzhen, marking the first time a completely autonomous fleet without accompanying safety drivers or remote operators is introduced in China.

The leading autonomous driving technology company has been conducting driverless stress tests in the Tier 1 city – which has the highest population density in China – for the past half a year.

A video has also been released to share how the vehicles navigate around downtown Shenzhen. (See video below.) [Read more…] about AutoX puts fully driverless RoboTaxis on the roads in China

AutoX launches driverless taxi service in China

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Driverless car startup AutoX has launched its RoboTaxi ride-hailing service in Shanghai, China to the general public for the first time, marking a transit milestone for China’s largest city.

AutoX RoboTaxis can be booked through Alibaba’s AutoNavi smartphone app, similar to other ride-hailing services.

AutoX, which has raised at least $160 million to date, according to Crunchbase, has also struck up a strategic partnership with Letzgo, a major taxi fleet operations company headquartered in Shanghai. [Read more…] about AutoX launches driverless taxi service in China