• Oxbotica, a UK-based developer of autonomous vehicle software, has partnered with AppliedEV, a modular vehicle solutions provider, to jointly develop an autonomous vehicle with a range of commercial purposes including cargo delivery.

• Initially, the companies intend on pitching the product to the industrial logistics and cargo delivery industries, with plans to expand to other areas.

• As per the deal, Oxbotica will retrofit its autonomous vehicle software into AppliedEV’s electric vehicle modular platform, dubbed “Blanc Robot.” The configurable platform comes with an all-wheel-drive system, and a battery with total efficiency up to 10 miles/kWh, which is reported to be a match for Oxbotica’s software platform. 

• Oxbotica develops its autonomous vehicle software using computer vision and machine learning technologies. Its system has been used in multiple trials involving autonomous passenger cars and cargo deliveries in the UK.

<ul><li>Analyst QuickTake: Earlier this year, Oxbotica raised USD 60.8 million in Series B funding in two tranches ( USD 13.8 million from UK online grocery retailer Ocado in April and USD 47 million in January). At the time, the company announced its intention to accelerate its go-to-market strategy for its software platform across several industries and markets, including mining and port logistics. Its peer companies Udelv and REE Automotive also retrofit its self-driving system into original equipment manufacturer (OEM) chassis, while Nuro develops both autonomous driving software and its own autonomous delivery vehicles.</ul>