[Vueron Newsletter Vol.88] #BMW #Wayve Uber #Mobileye

1. BMW ramps up autonomous driving technology development in China

• BMW Group is accelerating autonomous driving technology development with new facilities at its Shenyang R&D center in China, opening a data processing center in September and a test workshop in December.
• The data processing center will efficiently handle autonomous driving test data, while the test workshop will validate functions for new local models.
• BMW's Chinese R&D team aims to push the boundaries of autonomous driving technology and advance higher levels of automation.
• BMW Brilliance Automotive plans to strengthen cooperation with Shenyang in vehicle testing, information sharing, and autonomous driving policy formulation.
• The Shenyang facility is BMW's largest global production base and a key site for new energy vehicle (NEV) development, contributing to BMW's extensive R&D network in China.

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BMW accelerates autonomous driving development in China, launching data processing and testing facilities at its Shenyang R&D center by year's end.

2. Wayve and Uber Partner: Are We Still Roads Away From Fully Autonomous Driving?

• Uber and UK AI self-driving software company Wayve announced a strategic partnership to accelerate autonomous vehicle projects, aiming to deploy Level 4 self-driving vehicles in Uber’s network.
• The partnership will help Wayve enhance Level 2 and Level 3 automated driving capabilities with funding from Uber.
• Wayve’s mapless AI technology allows self-driving cars to operate without geofenced limits, with plans to integrate into Uber's global network.
• Uber has also partnered with General Motors' Cruise to introduce robotaxis by 2025, despite past safety concerns with Cruise.
• Fully autonomous vehicles (Level 5) are still years away due to technical and regulatory challenges, with predictions pushing full autonomy to 2035.
• Tesla’s "Full Self-Driving" system has faced criticism for safety issues, heightening regulatory scrutiny.

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Uber collaborates with Wayve to fast-track Level 4 self-driving technology, planning global deployment in its ride-hailing service.

3. Mobileye drops lidar development, axes 100 jobs to save $60M

• Mobileye is shutting down its lidar sensor development division, with most of the 100 employees expected to be laid off.
• This decision is part of a cost-saving effort, as the division’s development costs were projected to reach $60 million, with no expected revenue.
• Mobileye has invested over $100 million in lidar development but currently uses sensors from Israeli company Innoviz, which may be more cost-effective to acquire than continuing internal development.
• As lidar prices drop and AI technology advances, questions arise about the necessity of lidar in autonomous vehicles.
• Mobileye will continue to develop imaging radar, a strategic priority, with production expected next year.
• This move follows earlier restructuring that led to 130 layoffs, reducing Mobileye’s workforce to 3,500 employees.
• Mobileye’s market value has fallen below $10 billion, with a 73% drop in share price this year, amid declining revenues and speculation that Intel may sell its 88% stake.

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Mobileye ends its lidar sensor development, laying off employees, while focusing on more cost-effective imaging radar technology, as the company contends with a shrinking market value and declining revenues.

4. Inceptio Technology Makes Landmark Single Delivery of 400 Autonomous Heavy-Duty Trucks to ZTO Express

• Inceptio Technology delivered 400 autonomous heavy-duty trucks to ZTO Express, marking the largest global delivery of intelligent trucks.
• The trucks, developed in collaboration with Dongfeng Commercial Vehicle, are equipped with Inceptio's Autonomous Driving System, supporting the commercialization of autonomous logistics.
• This delivery enhances ZTO Express' logistics operations by improving efficiency, reducing costs, and optimizing safety.
• Inceptio's autonomous trucks are widely used across various logistics sectors, including line-haul logistics, express delivery, LTL transportation, and contract logistics.
• ZTO Express aims to strengthen its fleet and expand its presence in the domestic logistics market with the addition of these autonomous trucks.
• Inceptio's CEO, Julian Ma, highlighted the company's commitment to revolutionizing logistics and improving safety, efficiency, and profitability with its data-driven R&D and autonomous systems.

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Inceptio Technology delivered 400 autonomous heavy-duty trucks to ZTO Express, marking a major milestone in the commercialization of autonomous logistics.

5. As with EVs, China self-driving cars have Tesla in their sights

• Baidu operates around 400 driverless taxis in Wuhan, supported by government subsidies, offering fares at less than half the cost of traditional cabs.
• Beijing strongly supports innovation in the auto industry, with Chinese companies rivaling Tesla in electric vehicles and autonomous driving.
• Baidu plans to expand its self-driving taxi service to 100 cities by 2030 and aims to achieve profitability with 1,000 vehicles on the road.
• While some Wuhan residents find the service cost-effective, taxi and ride-hailing drivers have protested, fearing job losses and technological immaturity.
• The Chinese government remains committed to advancing autonomous driving, seeing Tesla's Full Self-Driving system as a benchmark.
• China aims to replicate its success in EVs with Tesla in the autonomous driving sector, leveraging a vast domestic market and collaboration across industry, government, and academia.

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China's strong support for Baidu's self-driving taxis in Wuhan reflects its ambition to lead in autonomous vehicle technology, mirroring its success in the EV industry.

Contents above are the opinion of ChatGPT, not an individual or the company