Oxford University Innovation is the University of Oxford's technology transfer company and manages the University's intellectual property portfolio, working with University researchers on identifying, protecting and marketing technologies through licensing, spin-out company formation and material sales. Oxford University Innovation also manages Oxford University Consulting, which arranges consulting services providing clients access to the expertise of the University's academics. Oxford University’s overarching Strategic Plan begins, “The University of Oxford aims to lead the world in research and education” immediately followed by, “They seek to do this in ways which benefit society on a national and a global scale.” Oxford University Innovation helps staff and students to apply their expertise and research for wider social and economic benefit. Their role is to help University staff and students bring the benefits of their research and expertise to create impact in wider society. They support Oxford’s researchers, staff and students, offering commercial skills and a range of specialist resources in order to maximise research impact. Income is shared with those involved according to the University’s Regulations.

Oxford University Innovation

BP Ventures is a venture capital firm that identifies and invests in private and high-growth technology companies. BP Ventures was set up more than ten years ago to identify and invest in private, high growth, game-changing technology companies, accelerating innovation across the entire energy spectrum. Since then, they have invested over $400 million in technology companies across more than 40 entities with more than 200 co-investors. Venturing plays a key role in BP’s strategy to tackle the dual challenge of meeting the world’s need for more energy, while at the same time reducing carbon emissions. They will do this by leveraging their investments across a portfolio of relevant technology businesses that will help BP transition to a low carbon company.

BP Ventures

IP Group's core business is the creation of value for its shareholders and partners through the commercialisation of intellectual property originating from research intensive institutions. Their strength lies in managing this process from finding suitable intellectual property to commercialise to either helping develop businesses and create value out of them, or identifying and establishing appropriate commercial partnerships to do so. IP Group's extensive expertise in this area combined with its inside knowledge of both industry and finance have enabled the group to create a formidable track record of consistently delivering excellent results for their companies, for their partners and for their shareholders.

IP Group

Halma's business is about protecting life and improving the quality of life for people worldwide. Halma's companies have a core focus on safety, health and the environment and our products provide innovative solutions for many of the key problems facing the world today. Halma's technology is used to save lives, prevent injuries, and protect people and assets. We also develop products that secure and protect the elements critical to healthy lives.

Halma

Venture/Science invests in multi-stage technology companies. The firm deploys quantitative methods in its selection and capital deployment processes. The principals and advisors of the firm have backgrounds in operations research, data science and game theory.

venture / science

Tencent is an internet service portal offering value-added internet, mobile, telecom, and online advertising services. Its communications and social platforms Weixin and QQ connect users with each other, with digital content and daily life services in just a few clicks.  Tencent has maintained steady growth under its user-oriented operating strategies. It provides value-added internet, mobile, and telecom services, as well as online advertising under the strategic goal of providing users with ''one-stop online lifestyle services.'' Tencent’s Internet platforms in China – QQ (QQ Instant Messenger), WeChat, QQ.com, QQ Games, Qzone, 3g.QQ.com, SoSo, PaiPai, and Tenpay – aim to address the various needs of internet users, including communication, information, entertainment, e-commerce, and others. In September 2013, Tencent's market valuation rose to $101 billion, and as of November 21, 2013, QQ had 2 billion active users and WeChat had 650 million monthly active users. The numbers of active users for QQ mail, Qzone, Tencent Weibo, and QQ news were 274 million, 626 million, 220 million, and 150 million, respectively. Tencent was founded in November of 1998. In April 2000, the IDG and PCCW invested a total of $2.2 million dollars in the company. Tencent was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (SEHK) on June 16, 2004. Baidu, Alibaba, and Netease are Tencent's major competitors.

Tencent

Hostplus is an industry superannuation fund for the hospitality, tourism, recreation, and sport industries.

Hostplus

BGF Ventures is a London-based early-stage venture fund of BGF. It is investing in early-stage entrepreneurs with bold ambitions. Its venture stage investments are currently lead by Tim Rea.

BGF Ventures

Doxa is an investment firm that specializes in foreign stocks and credit. Their customers have been profitable business owners for nearly two centuries and are now in their sixth generation.

Doxa Partners

Parkwalk is a London-based fund management firm.  Parkwalk invests in UK technology companies that have IP backing and freedom to operate, generally spun out of UK universities. Their funds seek to generate capital gains for their investors, enhanced by the attractive tax relief provided by EIS. Parkwalk entered this investment sector in 2009, anticipating a wave of tax-efficient incentives launched by the UK Government to stimulate innovative emerging technology companies and thereby help drive economic growth. Parkwalk utilises academic, technology transfer, venture capital and personal networks developed over many years to gain access to the highest calibre deal-flow.                                                                                                                 In 2017 Parkwalk joined forces with IP Group plc, a leading intellectual property commercialisation company that is listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol IPO. As at March 2019 the combined group has net assets of £1.2bn.

Parkwalk Advisors

Ocado Group operates as an online grocery retailer. The company offers fruits and nuts, wine, vegetables, grocery and household items, milk, eggs, and fish and seafood. It also provides meals, desserts, drinks, cupboards, gifts, household products, flowers, toiletries, pet care products, and child and baby products. The company was formerly known as L. M. Solutions (UK) Limited and changed its name to Ocado in May 2001.  Ocado was incorporated in 1999 and is based in Hatfield, the United Kingdom.

Ocado Group

Google is a multinational technology company focusing on search engine technology, online advertising, cloud computing, computer software, quantum computing, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and consumer electronics. Their products address a wide range of use cases, including email, navigation, cloud computing, web browsing, video sharing, productivity, operating systems, cloud storage, language translation, photo storage, video calling, smart home, smartphones, wearable technology, music streaming, and more.

Google

ZF Group is a supplier that specializes in the aviation industry to a  mobility technology company. The company offers product and software solutions for vehicle manufacturers and newly emerging transport and mobility service providers. ZF electrifies a wide range of vehicle types. With its products, the company contributes to reducing emissions, protecting the climate, and enhancing safe mobility.

ZF Group

Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance offers casualty insurance, life insurance, automobile insurance, fire insurance, and other insurance products. The company provides its services to individuals and groups domestically and overseas. They also create a company that develops based on the solid trust of each and every customer and deliver high-quality products and services to all their customers. Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance was founded on June 30, 1918, and is headquartered in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance

ENEOS Innovation Partners is an investment firm.

ENEOS Innovation Partners

Kiko Ventures

Oxbotica develops autonomous vehicle software. They provide autonomy software that has low compute power requirements. They use laser vision and radar for localization, redundancy, and cloud management services that enable businesses to help bring autonomy to vehicles.

Oxa <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18935">(formerly Oxbotica) </a>is a UK-based developer of autonomous vehicle software using computer vision and machine learning technologies. Its product portfolio includes “Oxa Driver,” a full-stack autonomy system that can be integrated into any sensor, vehicle, or platform; “Oxa Hub,” which connects autonomous vehicles with customers’ existing fleet management platforms; and “Oxa MetaDriver,” a system to synthesize simulated scenarios and validate customer environments. The company pitches its software to multiple B2B applications including shared passenger transportation, cargo transportation, energy, and mining. Oxa’s software solutions are modular and customizable, enabling customers to select components and create a personalized solution based on their needs, technologies, and vehicles.

Autonomous and connected technologies shaping the future of the auto industry

Auto Tech

Oxa&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18936">(formerly Oxbotica)</a> is a UK-based developer of autonomous vehicle software using computer vision and machine learning technologies. Its product portfolio includes “Oxa Driver,” a full-stack autonomy system that can be integrated into any sensor, vehicle, or platform; “Oxa Hub,” which connects autonomous vehicles with customers’ existing fleet management platforms; and “Oxa MetaDriver,” a system to synthesize simulated scenarios and validate customer environments. The company pitches its software to multiple B2B applications including shared passenger transportation, cargo transportation, energy, and mining.&nbsp;The company also unveiled Ford E-Transit van and minibus powered by Oxa Driver for goods and passenger transportation&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/35383">in October 2024,</a> and was made available for integration into commercial fleets in the UK and US.

Automation and robotics are finally creating solutions for the complexities of doorstep deliveries.

Last-mile Delivery Automation

Oxbotica (also known as Oxa) is a British autonomous vehicle software developer founded in 2014 by Oxford professors Paul Newman and Ingmar Posner. The company has developed a suite of autonomous vehicle software products, including Oxbotica Driver, Oxbotica Cloud, and Oxbotica MetaDriver. Oxbotica's Universal Autonomy technology aims to enable any vehicle, regardless of size or location, to operate autonomously, safely, and sustainably. The company's software can be applied to various industries and use cases, including mining, energy, goods delivery, shared passenger transportation, agriculture, and airports.

Oxbotica achieves safety landmark with autonomous vehicle assessment

Oxbotica raises $140M more as its B2B autonomous vehicle platform gains ground

occupancy autonomous vehicle journey on

Oxbotica: autonomous vehicle startup raises £115m to accelerate growth

Oxbotica secures €130 million to take its autonomous vehicle software worldwide

UK autonomous vehicle company Oxbotica plans to expand Canadian presence following $140 million USD raise

Oxbotica advances autonomous

Oxbotica leads drive for autonomous fleet from the streets of Hounslow

Oxbotica and Google Cloud Unite to Accelerate Adoption of Autonomous Driving Solutions

Autonomous vehicles everywhere: Oxbotica raises $140m

Augmenting the mining value chain with technology and automation

Mining Tech

Oxa reveals Ford E-Transit self driving van and minibus [video]

Google Cloud

Oxbotica entered a strategic partnership with Google Cloud to fast-track the deployment of its autonomous software platform to customers in last-mile logistics, agriculture, light industry, and public transport sectors, globally. Oxbotica will use Google Cloud products to develop, test, validate, and verify its self-driving technology and leverage Google Cloud's cybersecurity technologies to ensure the secure use of autonomous mobility technology. Oxbotica also plans to explore the impact of autonomous vehicles on congestion, public transit, etc. through the partnership. Moreover, the partnership will enable Oxbotica’s customers to scale from single prototype vehicles to full fleets.

This is a sub-branch of self-driving cars and represents autonomous vehicles that can move along public roads. The technology used is similar to self-driving cars. ADVs have a higher load capacity and travel at a faster speed than vehicles like droids.

NVIDIA

Oxbotica, a UK-based self-driving tech company, has developed a “Universal Autonomy” platform that enables companies to build a variety of autonomous vehicles, including robotaxis. Its upcoming Selenium platform leverages NVIDIA DRIVE Orin to achieve level 4 self-driving capabilities.

Companies developing self-driving technology for autonomous passenger vehicles including cars, buses, and shuttles

BP has completed an autonomous vehicle trial at its Lingen refinery in Germany, working with Oxbotica, a leader in autonomous vehicle software.

Oxa <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18936">(formerly Oxbotica) </a>is a UK-based developer of autonomous vehicle software using computer vision and machine learning technologies. Its product portfolio includes “Oxa Driver,” a full-stack autonomy system that can be integrated into any sensor, vehicle, or platform; “Oxa Hub,” which connects autonomous vehicles with customers’ existing fleet management platforms; and “Oxa MetaDriver,” a system to synthesize simulated scenarios and validate customer environments. The company pitches its software to multiple B2B applications including shared passenger transportation, cargo transportation, energy, and mining.Key customers and partnershipsOxa has product partnerships with companies including 1) AppliedEV, a modular vehicle solutions provider, to retrofit Oxa’s software into AppliedEV’s electric vehicle modular platform <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/5351">(September 2021);</a> 2) <a href="https://sp-edge.com/companies/788807">Goggo Network</a> to retrofit Oxa’s autonomous driving software into Goggo Network’s ADVs <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17297">(March 2023);</a> and 3) Google Cloud to scale up autonomous software deployment <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17346">(March 2023).</a>Funding and financials<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/15599">In January 2023, </a>Oxa raised USD 140 million in a Series C funding round to accelerate commercial deployments. The company also received an undisclosed amount of funds from Google <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/22506">in October 2023, </a>as a part of its Series C round.

Oxa&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18936">(formerly Oxbotica)</a> is a UK-based developer of autonomous vehicle software using computer vision and machine learning technologies. Its product portfolio includes “Oxa Driver,” a full-stack autonomy system that can be integrated into any sensor, vehicle, or platform; “Oxa Hub,” which connects autonomous vehicles with customers’ existing fleet management platforms; and “Oxa MetaDriver,” a system to synthesize simulated scenarios and validate customer environments. The company pitches its software to multiple B2B applications including shared passenger transportation, cargo transportation, energy, and mining.&nbsp;The company also unveiled Ford E-Transit van and minibus powered by Oxa Driver for goods and passenger transportation&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/35383">in October 2024,</a> and was made available for integration into commercial fleets in the UK and US.Key customers and partnershipsOxa has product partnerships with companies including 1) AppliedEV, a modular vehicle solutions provider, to retrofit Oxa’s software into AppliedEV’s electric vehicle modular platform <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/5351">(September 2021);</a> 2) <a href="https://sp-edge.com/companies/788807">Goggo Network</a> to retrofit Oxa’s autonomous driving software into Goggo Network’s ADVs <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17297">(March 2023);</a> and 3) Google Cloud to scale up autonomous software deployment <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17346">(March 2023).</a>

Zing Drone Solutions offers an end-to-end drone delivery platform, which includes autonomous flight software and plug-and-play hardware. Drone pilots can team up with Zing to make deliveries with their own drones, while Zing undertakes the licensing and insuring of pilots. The company also sells two models of FAA-approved broadcast modules to pilots.As of March 2024, the company had operations in a test site in Sarasota, Florida, to demonstrate drone-based deliveries. It was mainly generating revenue through the sale of broadcast modules to pilots.Key customers and partnershipsZing Drone Solutions has product partnerships with companies including 1) software company Airspace Link to integrate airspace awareness technology (December 2021); 2) air traffic navigation service provider Skyway Technologies to install route planning and air navigation solutions for operations in Florida and beyond (January 2022; conducted first flights in Montverde, Florida <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/10175">in May 2022);</a> and 3) Arrive (formerly DroneDek; June 2020) and Valqari (August 2021) to obtain hardware and infrastructure.Funding and financialsZing Drone Solutions generated revenue of USD 40,847 and incurred a loss of USD 160,287 in 2023.

Zing Drone Solutions

DroneUp is a drone startup offering&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18602">drone-based last-mile delivery services</a> primarily pitched toward retail, food, and medical deliveries. The company's&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/34605">technology package</a> includes a proprietary software solution, an innovative winch system, and custom battery packs. The company has operations in the US (including Arkansas, Texas, Florida, Arizona, Virginia, Utah, and North Carolina) and potentially&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/11637">Europe.</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/25670">In January 2024,</a> it obtained approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone-based deliveries in the US.DroneUp’s complementary acquisitions in the space include AeroVista Innovations to provide full-service drone training to organizations (April 2020); Web Teks, a UAS software developer that had been a contractor for DroneUp&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/103">(March 2021)</a>; and AirMap, an airspace management software provider for drones&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/7177">(December 2021).</a>&nbsp;Key customers and partnershipsDroneUp has conducted drone-based deliveries in partnership with organizations including <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/10658">Walmart,</a> <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/161">NUAIR (Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance) and SUNY Upstate Medical University,</a> the City of Ontario and the real estate company <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/4266">Brookfield Properties,</a> <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17938">Riverside Health System,</a> <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/19264">Carilion Clinic,</a> and <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/23954">Chick-fil-A</a>.DroneUp also has product partnerships with companies including1) <a href="https://sp-edge.com/companies/865380">A2Z Drone Delivery</a> to integrate the latter’s tethered freefall drone delivery technology into DroneUp’s drones <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/105">(March 2021)</a>2) South Korean company Doosan Mobility Innovation (DMI) to test drones using hydrogen fuel cell technology <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17671">(April 2023)</a>3) Irsi Automation to integrate airspace awareness tech into its drones <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18258">(May 2023)</a>4) Wonder Robotics to integrate precision technology for drone-based deliveries <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18344">(May 2023)</a>5) Blueflite, a drone technology company, to leverage Blueflite’s drones for DroneUp's autonomous ecosystem <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/28155">(April 2024)</a>6) Elsight to obtain drone connectivity solutions <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/33137">(September 2024)</a>

DroneUp

Agility Robotics develops a human-sized, bi-pedal robot called “Digit” designed for logistics applications primarily for warehouse automation, with plans to introduce the unit for last-mile delivery applications. It is the only company in the market with a product designed to look and move like a human, using two upper limbs to carry an item while moving around on two legs. The robot uses a head-mounted LiDAR system for its primary navigation and is able to navigate semi-autonomously, carrying weight up to 35 lbs. The robots can charge autonomously by connecting themselves to docking stations when needed and can be deployed without additional retrofitting.The company unveiled the second generation of Digit <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17182">in March 2023,</a> with plans to begin shipping to early customers in 2024 and a wider rollout in 2025 (price not disclosed). The company has a <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/21927">manufacturing facility in Oregon</a> with the capacity to produce more than 10,000 robots per year.&nbsp;The company also offers <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/27444">“Agility Arc,"</a> which is a cloud automation platform for deploying and managing Digit fleets. This is offered on a SaaS basis.Funding and financials<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/9899">In April 2022,</a> Agility Robotics raised USD 150 million in a Series B funding round led by DCVC and Playground Global to fast-track R&amp;D, ramp up production and delivery of its next-generation robot, and expand the team. In April 2022, Agility Robotics also received an undisclosed amount of funds from the Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund.&nbsp;Key competitors: None comparable (Agility Robotics is the only startup developing a humanoid robot for parcel delivery)

Agility Robotics

Manna Drone Delivery (Manna) provides drone delivery-as-a-service to restaurant chains, cloud kitchens, and online food delivery platforms. Using custom-developed aerospace-grade drones, it delivers directly from restaurants and centralized kitchens to consumer's homes. Its drones can fly at a speed of 60 mph, delivering within a range of 10 miles. The drones are also equipped with safety systems including a parachute that will automatically deploy and bring the aircraft to the ground in case of an emergency.In May 2021, Manna received the Irish Aviation Authority’s (IAA) <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/62">“Light UAS Operator Certificate” (LUC),</a> available under EU drone regulations and recognized across the EU. With the certification, Manna can self-authorize operations without the need for further approvals. The company also applied for a drone-based delivery services license in the UK <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/22174">in September 2023.</a>The services are offered via Manna’s mobile application, where restaurants can partner and list themselves for drone-based deliveries to their customers. As of March 2024, the company had completed 150,000+ deliveries to customers in Ireland (including Moneygall, Co Offaly, Oranmore, Co Galway, and in Blanchardstown and Balbriggan, Co Dublin) and the US <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/23388">(Dallas, Texas).</a>Key customers and partnershipsIts notable partners include restaurant operators and retailers such as Flipdish, <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/91">Just Eat,</a> Tesco, Camile Thai’s, <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/106">Samsung Electronics,</a> Coca-Cola, <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/23388">Farmhouse Coffee &amp; Treasures, The Touring Chocolatie,</a> and <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/27176">Boojum.</a>Funding and financials<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17122">In March 2023,</a> Manna received an undisclosed amount of funding from Coca-Cola HBC and entered into a strategic partnership with the same to expand its reach to the US market.&nbsp;

Manna Drone Delivery

TwinswHeel is an autonomous delivery droids manufacturer based in France. The company offers six droids under two ranges; 1) “ciTHy” series pitched toward logistics applications for private sites and cities and 2) “facTHory” series pitched toward factories and warehouses. The robots can be configured to either pair up and collaborate with a person and follow them while carrying the loads or to move autonomously in a mapped area. The robots are equipped with LiDAR, six 2D cameras, 3D camera, and sensors for navigation. The ciTHy series comprises the following three sizes that can be used for last-mile delivery applications:1. ciTHy S: Can carry loads of up to 110 lbs, pitched toward personal mobility.2. ciTHy M: Can carry loads of up to 330 lbs; pitched toward technicians and craftsmen to help carry loads.3. ciTHy L: Can carry loads of up to 660 lbs; pitched toward stores in city centers.Key customers and partnershipIn May 2019, the company conducted a trial run in partnership with the French supermarket chain Casino’s Franprix, where shoppers can pair up with the robot, making it follow them while shopping, and even carry items to the customer’s home.The company also manufactures droids on behalf of the autonomous droid operator LMAD (2021).

TwinswHeel

Refers to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that deliver packages. Drones are already in commercial use in many other industries (such as photography, construction, and agriculture). The use of drones for goods delivery has emerged with the gradual advancement of battery and connectivity technologies.

Refers to autonomous vehicles that use pedestrian walkways and travel a little faster than average walking speed (generally 3-6 miles an hour). These vehicles can usually carry up to around 20 lb. and use a camera, radar, and sensors to move autonomously. 

Some companies use AI/ML tech for autonomous navigation.  (e.g., Goggo Network, Drone Express, Wayve)"

Autonomous delivery solutions fall under Industry 4.0

The solutions are electric and eco-friendly

All three types of delivery automation facilitate efficient and environmentally friendly solutions

Oxa <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18935">(formerly Oxbotica) </a>is a UK-based developer of autonomous vehicle software using computer vision and machine learning technologies. Its product portfolio includes “Oxa Driver,” a full-stack autonomy system that can be integrated into any sensor, vehicle, or platform; “Oxa Hub,” which connects autonomous vehicles with customers’ existing fleet management platforms; and “Oxa MetaDriver,” a system to synthesize simulated scenarios and validate customer environments. The company pitches its software to multiple B2B applications including shared passenger transportation, cargo transportation, energy, and mining. Oxa’s software solutions are modular and customizable, enabling customers to select components and create a personalized solution based on their needs, technologies, and vehicles.Autonomous vehicles powered by Oxa’s software were first launched commercially in February 2024 in Florida. The company also unveiled Ford E-Transit van and minibus powered by Oxa Driver for goods and passenger transportation&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/35383">in October 2024,</a> and was made available for integration into commercial fleets in the UK and US.Key customers and partnershipsReportedly, Oxa has customers in the mining, construction, agriculture, airports, ports, and logistics sectors (as of January 2023). It has a <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/21274">August 2023</a> partnership with Beep to integrate Oxa Driver into Beep’s vehicles (commercially deployed at the <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/26901">Florida State College</a> at Jacksonville, <a href="https://ridebeep.com/press-releases/beep-and-oxa-announce-partnership-to-deploy-autonomous-vehicles-driven-by-oxa-in-united-states">Lake Nona in Orlando,</a> and <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/32857">Walnut Creek senior community</a> in California).The company also has product partnerships with 1) German auto parts maker ZF to develop autonomous software for passenger shuttles (October 2021); 2) Swedish electric car manufacturer NEVS to develop self-driving electric vehicles to be deployed on public roads by 2023 (May 2022); 3) Google Cloud to scale up autonomous software deployment <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17345">(March 2023);</a> 4) electric vehicle (EV) provider eVersum to develop and deploy autonomous city shuttles in the US and Europe <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/22536">(October 2023;</a> launch plans in Belfast, North Ireland were announced <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/23571">in November 2023);</a> and 5) Bayanat AI, a UAE-based provider of AI-powered geospatial and smart mobility solutions, to advance autonomous vehicle technologies in the UAE and globally <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/30427">(June 2024).</a>&nbsp;

<div>
 
 Aeva develops next-generation sensing and perception systems including 4D LiDAR-on-chip for autonomous vehicles and robotics. Its LiDAR sensors dubbed &ldquo;Aeries II&rdquo; are equipped with unique frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) 4D technology for high sensing capabilities and use a continuous laser. It can sense objects 500 meters away over a field of view (FoV) of 120 x 30 degrees. Aries II is powered by the company&rsquo;s proprietary 4D Perception software. Aeries II is reportedly the world&rsquo;s first LiDAR-on-chip silicon photonics design.&nbsp;
 
 
 
 
 The company launched Aeva Atlas, an automotive-grade 4D LiDAR sensor, 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/25293">
 in January 2024.
 </a>
 It can sense objects 500 meters away over a field of FoV of 120 x 30 degrees. The company claims that Atlas is the first automotive-grade 4D LiDAR sensor for mass production in automotive applications. Atlas is powered by Aeva&rsquo;s proprietary Digital Signal Processing Software. The company claims the unit is 70% smaller and 4x more energy-efficient than the company&rsquo;s previous lidar solutions.
 
 
 
 
 Aeva sources product components from third-party vendors and assembles the final product in its assembly facility in San Francisco, California. However, since September 2021, the company has gradually shifted to a manufacturing model that solely relies on local and foreign third-party suppliers for both manufacturing and assembly. The company began shipping its LiDAR systems to strategic customers in mid-2022 and reported shipping 40+ units to customers by 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17245">
 December 2022
 </a>
 .
 
 
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 The company has entered into product collaborations with partners including automotive component manufacturers ZF Group (September 2020), Denso (January 2021), and Fabrinet (November 2021) to develop LiDAR systems for vehicles and Nikon to develop sensors for robotic factory production lines (August 2021).&nbsp;
 
 
 
 
 Avea has high-volume production deals with autonomous shuttle services provider May Mobility 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/23631">
 (November 2023)
 </a>
 and an unnamed global automotive OEM 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/25168">
 (January 2024).
 </a>
 
 
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 Aeva generated revenue of USD 4.3 million and reported a non-GAAP operating loss of USD 124.1 million in the year ended December 2023. The company has been listed on NYSE since March 2021, via a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), which valued the combined entity at USD 2.1 billion (November 2020).
 
 
 
 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/23632">
 In November 2023,
 </a>
 the company raised USD 145 million via a combined private investment and preferred facility deal from existing long-term stockholders. The company intended to utilize the funds to enhance its standing with OEMs, and improve its ability to support various high-volume production programs, potentially increasing its prospects for securing additional contracts.
 
 
 
</div>

Aeva

<div>
 
 Israel-based Innoviz Technologies develops LiDAR sensors and perception software specifically catering to autonomous vehicles. Its LiDAR product portfolio includes 1) &ldquo;InnovizOne,&rdquo; a solid-state LiDAR sensor specifically designed for autonomous vehicles with a detection range of up to 250 m and field of view (FoV) of 115 x 25 degrees; 2) &ldquo;InnovizTwo,&rdquo; a next-gen automotive-grade LiDAR sensor with a detection range of up to 300 m and FoV of 120 x 40 degrees; and 3) &ldquo;Innoviz360,&rdquo; a 360-degree LiDAR sensor with a detection range up to 300 m and pitched toward automotive and non-automotive applications.&nbsp;
 
 
 The company&rsquo;s target market spans across the US, Europe, and Asia, and it had an order book worth USD 6.9 billion 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/14444">
 as of September 2022.
 </a>
 As of February 2024, Innoviz Technologies had 18 of Innoviz&rsquo;s products protected by US patents.&nbsp;
 
 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/26155">
 In January 2024,
 </a>
 Innoviz released a strategic realignment plan for its operations from Q1 2024, which included a reduction of its workforce by ~13% (about 60 employees) to lower expenses and enhance its financial longevity. This was to mainly consolidate expenditures by transitioning the InnovizOne program to series production and focusing on the InnovizTwo sensor and software suite.
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 Innoviz Technologies has entered product collaborations with partners including Curium, a developer of automated calibration services for autonomous systems (August 2021); Ansys, a provider of simulation software (January 2022); Visionary.ai, a developer of software-based image signal processor technology (June 2022); and Japan-based software company Kudan 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/14117">
 (October 2022)
 </a>
 and Mobileye (as of February 2024) to obtain technology to be integrated with its LiDAR solutions.
 
 
 The company secured 15 pre-production orders and four series production customers as of September 2023. Its customers include Twinner, Whale Dynamics, Syracuse, BMW, 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/12378">
 Volkswagen,
 </a>
 and Delphi Automotive&mdash;of which BMW and Volkswagen were among the series production customers.&nbsp;
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 Innoviz Technologies generated revenue of USD 20.9 million and reported an operating loss of USD 132.6 million during the year ended December 2023. The company has been listed on the Nasdaq since April 2021 via a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), which valued the combined entity at USD 1.4 billion (December 2020).
 
 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/20883">
 In August 2023,
 </a>
 Innoviz Technologies announced plans for a public offering to issue USD 60 million of its ordinary shares to underwriters so they can purchase up to an additional USD 9 million of ordinary shares. The company planned to use the funds raised for general corporate purposes.
 
</div>

Innoviz Technologies

<div>
 
 AEye develops artificial intelligence (AI)-powered LiDAR for various applications, including vehicle autonomy, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and robotic vision. The company&rsquo;s products include &ldquo;4SIGHT,&rdquo; a software-defined, solid-state LiDAR sensor for automotive applications. The company claims that 4SIGHT offers the industry&rsquo;s longest detection range with the ability to identify small obstacles at over 300m and a 128 degree horizontal field of view (FoV). 4SIGHT uses adaptive LiDAR sensors as opposed to traditional sensors that passively collect data. AEye&rsquo;s next gen product 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/24047">
 &ldquo;4IGHT Flex,&rdquo;
 </a>
 is an ultra-compact, high-performance LiDAR for in-cabin autonomy and safety features. It comes with a 120 x 30-degree FoV, high resolution, and a detection range of up to 275 meters. The company 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/14502">
 launched a new 4Sight product line
 </a>
 in November 2022, which it claims was built on a high-performance adaptive LiDAR platform. In 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates?industryIds=70">
 March 2024
 </a>
 , AEye announced the launch of Apollo, the first product in the 4Sight Flex Lidar series. As of July 2023, AEye held 120 patents for its technology solutions.
 
 
 
 
 The company&rsquo;s business model also involves licensing software sensing platforms to automotive partners and outright sale of software-configured hardware products in partnership with system integrators in industrial markets.
 
 
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 The company began has been producing and supplying its sensors since late 2021, in partnership with electronic solutions provider LITEON Technology Corporation 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/29284">
 (May 2024),
 </a>
 electronics manufacturer Sanmina Corporation (July 2021), German automotive parts manufacturer Continental (October 2020), simulation software provider Ansys (January 2020), and other system integrators. Its customers include Nvidia (July 2020), Continental (August 2021), and autonomous trucking company TuSimple (July 2021).
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 AEye generated revenue of USD 1.5 million and reported an operating loss of USD 87.8 million during the year ended December 2023. The company has been listed on Nasdaq since August 2021, via a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), which valued the combined entity at USD 1.52 billion (May 2021).
 
 
 
</div>

AEye

LeddarTech is a Canadian company offering environmental sensing and perception solutions for advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving solutions. The company’s main product offering “LeddarVision,” includes four scalable raw-data sensor fusion and perception platforms for Level 2/2+ ADAS applications (i.e., Level 2 refers to vehicles that can control both the speed and the steering, but the driver must maintain full vigilance). LeddarTech also offered LiDAR hardware components for LiDAR manufacturers, system integrators, and Tier 1–2 suppliers. However,&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/14304">in November 2022,</a> the company announced plans to move away from its LiDAR hardware component business and focus on software development going forward. As of February 2024, LedderTech had 150+ patents (granted or applied).&nbsp;LeddarTech acquired VayaVision (sensor fusion and perception software company) in July 2020 and Phantom Intelligence (signal processing and LiDAR technology company) in September 2020 to complement its operations.&nbsp;LeddarTech became a publicly traded company via a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) in&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/25036">December 2023.</a> The company generated revenue of USD 7.4 million and an operating loss of USD 52.5 million in 2023.Key customers and partnershipsThe company has partnerships with technology companies such as&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/27813">Renesas Electronics,</a> STMicroelectronics, Flex, dSPACE, Ningbo Sunny Optical, Black Sesame Technologies,&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/27574">Arm Technologies,</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/29173">Immervision</a> for the joint development and delivery of LiDAR solutions.

LeddarTech

<div>
 
 Seyond (formerly known as Innovusion) offers image-quality long-range LiDAR solutions for the automotive and other industries. Its product portfolio includes 1) &ldquo;Falcon,&rdquo; a LiDAR sensor specifically designed for the automotive industry, with a detection range of up to 500 meters and field of view (FoV) of 120 x 25 degrees; 2) &ldquo;OmniVidi,&rdquo; a perception service software platform, powered by a proprietary single-laser Forward SightNet and multi-laser fusion perception lightweight model; and 3) &ldquo;Robin,&rdquo; a short- to medium-range LiDAR sensor, with a detection range of up to 250 meters and FoV of 120 x 24 degrees.&nbsp;
 
 
 
 
 The company, headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, also has operations in China and Germany. As of November 2023, the company had an annual production capacity exceeding 300,000 units at its facility in China, and had plans to commence mass production by December 2023. In November 2023, the company reported delivering 200,000 automotive-grade LiDAR to customers.
 
 
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 
 
 Seyond primarily targets China and has entered several partnerships in the region. This includes a strategic partnership with Chinese EV maker NIO to supply LiDAR sensors for NIO&rsquo;s vehicles and a partnership with Chinese self-driving tech startup Mogo Auto (January 2022) to promote the adoption and commercial use of LiDAR for autonomous vehicles. The company reportedly delivered 56,000 LiDAR sensors to NIO in 2022.&nbsp;
 
 
 
 
 Meanwhile, the company also has a partnership with Joynext, the smart vehicle arm of Chinese auto component manufacturer, Joyson Electronics, for mass production of LiDAR sensors. It also entered a product partnership with 3D spatial intelligence software solutions specialist Outsight 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/24507">
 in November 2023
 </a>
 to combine Outsight's software technology with Seyond's products for enhanced 3D perception capabilities.
 
 
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 In January 2022, Seyond raised USD 118 million in a Series C funding round led by Hermitage Capital at a pre-money valuation of USD 1.1 billion. The company intended to use the funds to enhance production capabilities, expand global reach, increase headcount, and for further research and development (R&amp;D).
 
 
 
</div>

Seyond

Companies developing LiDAR and other sensors for autonomous passenger vehicles and to improve driver safety

Providers of software such as collision avoidance alerts, blind spot detection, automatic braking, and other advanced driver assistance systems

Companies providing software solutions for managing devices, and integrating external and internal systems for vehicles using internet connectivity

Companies offering vehicle data capturing, analyzing, tracking, and mapping solutions

Companies providing in-vehicle infotainment products such as audio equipment and other electronic systems

Companies providing cybersecurity solutions for IoT-enabled vehicle devices

Connected vehicles and related services like infotainment and cybersecurity use IoT applications

Some companies use AI/ML tech for autonomous navigation

Autonomous vehicles facilitate efficient and greener transportation, contributing to creating smart cities

Automotive companies utilize GenAI solutions to enhance in-vehicle user experiences—mainly conversational AI technologies

Autonomous cars promote sustainable operations

Oxbotica (also known as Oxa) is a British autonomous vehicle software developer founded in 2014 by Oxford professors Paul Newman and Ingmar Posner. The company has developed a suite of autonomous vehicle software products, including Oxbotica Driver, Oxbotica Cloud, and Oxbotica MetaDriver. Oxbotica's Universal Autonomy technology aims to enable any vehicle, regardless of size or location, to operate autonomously, safely, and sustainably. The company's software can be applied to various industries and use cases, including mining, energy, goods delivery, shared passenger transportation, agriculture, and airports.Oxbotica's technology integrates a range of autonomous vehicle functionalities, such as device drivers, mapping, obstacle detection, sensor perception, and prediction. The company's MetaDriver tool utilizes artificial intelligence in the metaverse to generate simulated scenarios for testing autonomous vehicle operations without physical driving. In May 2022, Oxbotica achieved a significant milestone by conducting Europe's first zero-occupancy trial of a fully autonomous electric vehicle on publicly accessible roads in Oxford.The company has established partnerships with various organizations to accelerate the adoption of autonomous driving solutions. For instance, Oxbotica is collaborating with ZF to develop self-driving passenger shuttles for airports, and with BP to automate vehicles for wind and solar farms. The company has also worked with Ocado Group to streamline goods delivery processes using autonomous vehicles.Key customers and partnershipsOxbotica has formed strategic partnerships with several companies across different sectors. The company is working with BP to develop autonomous vehicles for use in energy applications, particularly in wind and solar farms. Ocado Group, a leading online grocery technology company, has partnered with Oxbotica to explore autonomous delivery solutions.In the mining sector, Oxbotica is advancing an "open autonomy" mining solution in Canada in collaboration with Wenco International Mining Systems. The company has also partnered with AppliedEV to conduct autonomous vehicle trials.Oxbotica has established a collaboration with Google Cloud to accelerate the deployment of its autonomous software platform globally. This partnership aims to combine Google Cloud's expertise in cloud infrastructure with Oxbotica's autonomous vehicle software to create scalable, safe, and reliable autonomous driving solutions for businesses with transportation in their value chain.

Uptake is a leader in predictive analytics software-as-a-service (SaaS) for the industrial sector, focusing on translating data into smarter operations. The company's flagship product, Uptake Fleet, is a comprehensive predictive maintenance solution for the transportation industry. Uptake Fleet leverages advanced analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) to predict vehicle failures, optimize maintenance strategies, and improve overall fleet performance.
Uptake Fleet's capabilities include Work Order Analytics, which enables users to predict vehicle failures down to the component level using existing internal work order data. The platform provides component-level survival curves, aggregate and individual unit component analytics, and allows users to set thresholds for specific vehicle components to create alerts and influence risk scores. Uptake Fleet also supports various sensor analytics endpoints, including outputs from the Geotab Electrical System Rating (ESR) module, to generate insights on the health of critical system components.
The company's technology has demonstrated significant benefits for its users, including a 30-day lead time in detecting leaks compared to traditional manual inspections, an 83% reduction in significant tire failures, a 5% improvement in fuel economy, and a 91% improvement in safe tire driving days. Uptake's solutions have been recognized by industry analysts and publications, including Gartner, Verdantix, the World Economic Forum, CNBC, and Forbes.
Key customers and partnerships
Uptake has established partnerships with several industry leaders to expand its reach and capabilities. In July 2023, the company partnered with Platform Science, a connected vehicle platform, to extend data-driven insights and predictive maintenance capabilities to some of the country's largest vehicle fleets. This collaboration allows Platform Science users to access Uptake Fleet through the Virtual Vehicle platform.
In February 2023, Uptake entered into a commercial agreement with Daimler Truck North America (DTNA), enabling the use of innovative data-as-a-service (DaaS) technology to power Uptake Fleet. This partnership allows DTNA customers to leverage Uptake's data-driven insights to help reduce unplanned fleet downtime and maintenance costs.
Uptake's customer base includes prominent organizations such as United Road, a leader in heavy-haul transportation services in North America, which deployed Uptake Fleet across its fleet to cut maintenance costs and increase driver mileage. The company has also worked with Caterpillar and Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway Energy subsidiaries, demonstrating its ability to serve diverse industries and large-scale operations.

Uptake

KoBold Metals is a California-based artificial intelligence-powered mineral exploration company founded in 2018. The company utilizes AI, machine learning, and cloud computing techniques to assess the composition of the subsurface and identify potential mineral deposits, particularly focusing on critical materials needed for electric vehicle batteries and clean energy technologies. KoBold's primary focus is on discovering and developing deposits of metals such as copper, cobalt, lithium, and nickel.
At the core of KoBold's technology is TerraShed, a data platform that aggregates and structures large scientific data collections, making them quickly available for analysis. The company employs various proprietary modules and machine learning models to guide decisions throughout the exploration process. KoBold's approach combines AI systems with geoscience expertise to determine what information will best reduce uncertainty in finding minable ore deposits.
In July 2024, KoBold announced a significant copper discovery in Zambia, estimated to be the largest in over a decade. The company's Mingomba project is expected to produce at least 300,000 tons of copper annually once fully operational, with an estimated value of billions of dollars per year for decades. The deposit boasts copper ore grades of more than 5%, significantly higher than the industry average of around 0.6%.
KoBold's exploration methods have shown promising results. During a 2022 field season in northern Quebec, the company's AI-guided approach led to hitting nickel-sulfide mineralization in eight out of 10 drill holes, a success rate approximately 10 times better than the industry average for similarly isolated drill holes. The company currently has more than 60 exploration-stage projects across several countries.

KoBold Metals

MineSense Technologies Ltd. is a Vancouver-based company that develops smart technologies for the metallic mining industry. The company's flagship products, ShovelSense and BeltSense, provide real-time, sensor-based ore sorting solutions for mines. ShovelSense is a sensor installed on mining equipment that scans and estimates the grade of material in every shovel and bucket, while BeltSense is used on conveyance at different points of the mine's downstream operations. These technologies enable mine operators to make real-time decisions early in the mining process, routing ore to the mill for valuable mineral extraction or to the waste pile.
MineSense's solutions aim to improve ore grade control, operational profitability, and carbon intensity across the metals mining industry. The company's technology allows mining companies to see the value of material as it is being mined, bucket by bucket, addressing challenges such as depletion of high-quality metal resources and increasing political and environmental barriers. By more accurately sorting ore from waste, MineSense's technologies decrease environmental impacts through reduced greenhouse gas emissions, water and energy consumption per unit of metal recovered, and enable mines to optimize the use of resources.
Initially focused on copper mining, MineSense has expanded its capabilities to other base metals and is developing methods to predict non-metal material characteristics, such as ore hardness. The company's technology can increase metal recovery materially, with production from operating mines increasing by 5% to 25% on existing infrastructure. In December 2023, MineSense launched the MineSense Data Portal, a platform that leverages real-time data from ShovelSense and BeltSense to provide mining operators with data-driven insights for mine-to-mill optimization.

MineSense

SafeAI is a Santa Clara, California-based company that develops autonomous solutions for heavy equipment in the construction and mining industries. Founded in 2017 by Bibhrajit Halder, SafeAI specializes in retrofitting existing vehicles with autonomous technology, regardless of manufacturer or vehicle type. The company's core product is an OEM-agnostic retrofit kit that includes hardware and proprietary autonomy software, enabling equipment owners to convert their existing fleets into self-operating robotic assets. SafeAI's autonomous platform utilizes advanced multimodal sensors, including LiDAR, radar, and cameras, along with onboard processing power to enable real-time decision-making.
In December 2023, SafeAI and Japanese construction company Obayashi unveiled what they claim is the world's first haul truck retrofitted to be both autonomous and electric. The companies converted a Caterpillar 725 articulated dump truck, demonstrating the potential for combining autonomy and electrification in heavy industry. SafeAI's technology aims to improve safety, productivity, and environmental performance on work sites. The company estimates that autonomy alone can boost environmental performance by up to 13%, while swapping diesel for electricity can cut net lifecycle emissions by over 60%.
SafeAI has also developed the SafeAI Autonomous Framework (SAF), which it describes as the first operating system purpose-built for heavy industry. In August 2023, SAF achieved ASIL D certification, the highest safety integrity level in the industry. This certification reinforces SafeAI's commitment to safety and validates its efforts to create a highly reliable operating system for heavy industry applications.

SafeAI

Hardware and software solutions that use technology such as AI/ML, LiDAR, and computer vision to discover sites with mining prospects

Solutions that use data from IoT sensors, site logs, and other data points to provide insights, simulations, and 3D representations of a mining site that can be used to visualize environments and create geological models

Solutions that use AI/ML, geospatial imagery, and even novel approaches such as vibration analysis to provide insights, support predictive maintenance, and help optimize worker productivity, fleet utilization, and other site resources, such as raw material inventory

Solutions to retrofit site vehicles with autonomous hardware and other autonomous and remote-controlled tools that support workflows, such as underground mapping and remote data capture

Providers of devices such as sensors to monitor real-time location and other environmental variables in an underground environment

Leverages robotics technology to automate certain vehicles and machinery to support mining activities

Leverages AI/ML to capture data from various sites and monitor data and information feeds

Autonomous machinery and equipment for underground mines and dark and constricted spaces

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

<div>
 Oxa, a company specialising in autonomous vehicle technology, has introduced autonomous versions of the Ford E-Transit van and minibus. These vehicles use Oxa Driver software and are suitable for commercial fleet integration in both the UK and US.
 The E-Transit versions include various standard automotive-grade sensors, such as cameras, LiDAR, and radar, enabling a full 360-degree perception and the ability to operate up to 35 mph in mixed traffic. These vehicles can be configured either as logistics vans or minibuses with a maximum of 10 seats. They also come with manual controls for non-autonomous use.
 Oxa uses Reference Autonomy Designs (RADs) as a fast method for incorporating autonomy into vehicles. This is validated through testing in controlled environments, real-world driving situations, and virtual tests using Spatial AI technology. Oxa suggests that this strategy offers an economical platform for goods delivery and passenger services, maintaining full interior space without any compromises required.
 
</div>

Oxa

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