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        Tesla has unveiled a prototype of its &quot;Robovan,&quot; an electric autonomous vehicle designed for high-density area transport, at its We, Robot event in Los Angeles. The Robovan is roughly the size of a bus and can carry up to 20 people or transport goods.
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        The Robovan features a retro-futuristic design with silver metallic sides, black details, and light strips along its sides. Due to its autonomous nature, it has sliding doors, tinted windows, and no steering wheel. The interior includes seating and standing room for passengers.
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    <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/10/robovan-was-the-biggest-surprise-at-tesla-we-robot-event/">
      TechCrunch
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Auto Tech

INCUMBENTS_PRESENT

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

<div>
 <p>Tesla has revealed a prototype of its autonomous electric vehicle called "Robovan" which is designed for high-density area transport. The unveiling took place at the 'We, Robot' event in Los Angeles. Resembling a bus in size, the Robovan has the capacity to transport up to 20 people or carry goods.</p>
<p>The design of Robovan is a blend of retro and futuristic featuring silver metallic sides, black detailing and light strips along its sides. Given that it is autonomous, it comes with sliding doors, tinted windows, and does not have a steering wheel. Inside, it provides room for passengers to both sit and stand.</p>
</div>

Tesla unveils Robovan prototype at We, Robot event

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

<div>
 <p>Zoox, a company owned by Amazon and specialist in autonomous vehicles, plans to launch their driverless robotaxi service in Las Vegas, Nevada. The service will ferry passengers from the Las Vegas Strip to various points across the valley.</p>
 <p>Zoox's commercial venture is set to kick off in 2025, earmarking Las Vegas as the pioneer city in the United States to offer Zoox's completely autonomous robotaxi service.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> Zoox received permission from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to commence autonomous vehicle testing in Nevada <a href="https:<br>
//techcrunch.com/2019/10/03/self-driving-vehicle-startup-zoox-has-expanded-to-las-vegas/"> in 2019 </a> and has been testing and refining the technology in Vegas since. The company initiated testing of its purpose-built robotaxis in Las Vegas <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/19712"> in June 2023. </a></p>

Zoox to launch driverless robotaxi service in Las Vegas next year

<div>
 <p>Aeva, a company specialized in sensory and perception systems, has entered a partnership with a prominent European passenger car manufacturer and a leader in simulation and validation technology for the development of automated vehicles. </p>
 <p>Aeva's Aeries II sensors would be used in the development program, collecting data to authenticate the efficiency of future-vehicle automation systems.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> This partnership demonstrates the growing interest in Aeva's FMCW technology for advanced sensing and perception in automated vehicles. It is separate from Aeva's other ongoing automotive opportunities, such as <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/25168"> disclosed LiDAR supply deals </a> with other passenger OEMs.</p>

Aeva partners with European OEM for automated vehicle validation program

<div>
 <p>Cerence, an AI voice assistant technology developer for cars, announced the appointment of new CEO and board member, Brian Krzanich, who takes over from Stefan Ortmanns. He will be responsible for progressing the company's GenAI and voice interaction, creating efficiency, and producing growth.</p>
 <p>Krzanich served as the CEO of CDK Global between 2018 to 2022 and was previously at Intel for 36 years, including a tenure as CEO from 2013 to 2018.</p>
 <p>The company has reassured its Q4 2024 projections, anticipating revenues in the range of USD 44 million to USD 50 million and an adjusted EBITDA loss between USD 19 million and USD 13 million.</p>
</div>

Cerence appoints Brian Krzanich as CEO, replacing Stefan Ortmanns

<div>
 <p>General Motors is currently in the process of developing a Level 3 automated driving system, which they plan to be hands-free and eyes-off. This new system will be an upgrade from the current "Super Cruise" driver assistance system that is also hands-free but requires drivers to pay attention to the road (Level 2).</p>
 <p>The forthcoming Level 3 system aims to allow hands-free, eyes-off driving under specific conditions, for instance, on highways and at slower speeds.&nbsp;</p>
 <p>This advanced system would utilize LiDAR map data, high-precision GPS, numerous cameras, radar sensors, and a driver-attention system to keep tabs on the driver's attention level.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> Level 3 autonomous driving allows drivers to focus on other tasks but is limited to specific roads and states due to technical and regulatory challenges. Today, <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/companies/19495"> Mercedes-Benz </a> is the only automaker to offer Level 3 limited hands-off, eyes-off driving systems in the US (in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/19228"> California </a> and <a href="https:<br>
//www.theverge.com/2023/1/27/23572942/mercedes-drive-pilot-level-3-approved-nevada"> Nevada). </a></p>

GM to develop Level 3 automated driving systems

<div>
 <p>Alphabet's self-driving tech unit, Waymo, has teamed up with Hyundai to acquire Hyundai IONIQ 5 EVs. The vehicles will be fitted with Waymo's sixth-generation self-driving technology for use in the company's robotaxi fleet. The on-road testing of these retrofitted vehicles is slated to start by the end of 2025, with public launches to follow in the coming years.</p>
 <p>The IONIQ 5 is reputed for its efficiency and speedy charging abilities, attributes that are anticipated to boost the performance and availability of Waymo's fleet.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> Today’s partnership comes as Waymo seeks to diversify its vehicle options . Currently, it relies on Jaguar I-Pace SUVs and is <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/31848"> testing Zeekr vans. </a> This will further facilitate Waymo’s future expansion plans .</p>

Waymo partners with Hyundai to add IONIQ 5 EVs to robotaxi fleet

<div>
 <p>Uber is working with autonomous vehicle startup, Avride, to introduce autonomous delivery robots and autonomous vehicles into Uber and Uber Eats services. Initially launching with sidewalk delivery robots for Uber Eats in Austin, expansion is planned for Dallas and Jersey City later in the year. Autonomous mobility services are set to launch in Dallas next year. Once rolled out, Uber and Uber Eats customers will have the option for autonomous delivery or rides through Uber apps.</p>
 <p>By 2025, Avride plans to expand its autonomous robot fleet within Uber Eats to hundreds.</p>
</div>

Uber partners with Avride to introduce autonomous delivery and mobility services

<div>
 <p>Gavin Newsom, Governor of California, has rejected a <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/31223">bill</a> (AB 2286) proposing that human operators should be available in heavy-duty self-driving trucks on public roads in the state. Instead, draft regulations are currently under consideration, aiming to establish comprehensive regulations for these vehicles. These standards would include speed restrictions and payload limitations.</p>
 <p>The Governor also vetoed a different bill (AB 3061) that was aimed at imposition of new data submission obligations on autonomous vehicle (AV) businesses. These obligations would have included quarterly reporting on immobility periods, vehicle miles covered and accidents. The justification provided for the veto was the implausible timeline set for the Department of Motor Vehicles. </p>
 <p>In addition, Newsom endorsed a law (AB 1777) introducing guidelines for dealing with accidents involving autonomous vehicles and their interplay with emergency personnel. This includes a mandate for AV firms to maintain an emergency hotline for the police to contact in the case of emergencies involving these vehicles.</p>
</div>

California Governor vetoes and passes bills related to autonomous vehicles and trucks

<div>
 <p>Helm.ai has released its VidGen-2, an advanced GenAI model which is used for creating lifelike driving video sequences. This model, which is a part of the company's driver assistance system software, boasts 2x higher resolution compared to the previous model, and can be used through Helm.ai's platform.</p>
 <p>VidGen-2 has been trained on thousands of hours worth of driving footage which was obtained using NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs, and utilizes Helm.ai’s DNN architectures and Deep Teaching. This model can generate video sequences at a resolution of 696 x 696, twice the resolution of its predecessor, with a frame rate of up to 30 fps. It can support multi-camera views by generating footage from three separate cameras at a resolution of 640 x 384 for each camera.</p>
 <p>This advanced model can reportedly generate driving video sequences which can simulate different geographical locations, various types of vehicles and cameras, as well as varied perspectives. It can also mimic human-like driving behaviors in its generated footage.</p>

</div>

Helm.ai launches GenAI models for autonomous driving video generation

<div>
 <p>Cruise, the self-driving car unit of General Motors, has been fined USD 1.5 million by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) due to non-disclosure of important details related to a serious accident with a pedestrian in October 2023. For at least two years, Cruise is directed to present a remedial action plan and comply with increased reporting requirements as part of the settlement.</p>
 <p>The accident in mention saw a Cruise robotaxi hitting a pedestrian in San Francisco who was earlier hit by another car, resulting in dragging her for 20 feet. The representatives of Cruise failed in furnishing complete reports of the mishap, even going to the extent of persuading NHTSA to not instigate an inquiry and tried to hide the fact of the pedestrian's dragging.</p>
 <p>Besides the penalty by NHTSA, Cruise is also under scrutiny by the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission for ongoing investigations. For not submitting comprehensive information about the accident in a timely manner, the California Public Utilities Commission imposed a maximum penalty of USD 112,500 against Cruise.</p>
</div>

All Updates

Tesla unveils Robovan prototype at We, Robot event

Zoox to launch driverless robotaxi service in Las Vegas next year

Aeva partners with European OEM for automated vehicle validation program

Cerence appoints Brian Krzanich as CEO, replacing Stefan Ortmanns

GM to develop Level 3 automated driving systems

Waymo partners with Hyundai to add IONIQ 5 EVs to robotaxi fleet

Uber partners with Avride to introduce autonomous delivery and mobility services

California Governor vetoes and passes bills related to autonomous vehicles and trucks

Helm.ai launches GenAI models for autonomous driving video generation

Cruise to pay USD 1.5 million fine for failing to disclose crash details

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Tesla unveils Robovan prototype at We, Robot event

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