EasyMile and Velodyne Lidar Inc. announced a three-year agreement on Tuesday, April 28.
EasyMile equips its EZ10 autonomous passenger shuttles with Velodyne lidar sensors, which are optimized for outstanding indoor and outdoor performance, allowing for operations in various light conditions. The sensors can accurately detect a variety of objects thanks to a combination of high-resolution 3D perception with a broad vertical field of view.
For safe and efficient navigation on roadways, EasyMile will enhance its EZ10 shuttle fleet with Velodyne’s sensors.
Mobility
Mobility
Imagry, AutonomouStuff partner to provide autonomous vehicle developers with mapless technology
Known for its mapless driving platform, autonomous vehicle software developer Imagry has partnered with AutonomouStuff, which will result in Imagry's technology being included in AutonomouStuff's portfolio of autonomy-enabling technologies for resale across the world.
Imagry will provide its efficient, scalable, and reliable mapless technology to AutonomouStuff customers looking to avoid the limitations of HD Mapping when developing and deploying their own autonomous technologies.
“The Imagry platform sets itself apart through an innovative approach to one of the most complex aspects of automated driving,” says Craig Johnson, senior autonomy product manager at AutonomouStuff.
Einride, Lidl continue working towards automated transport in Sweden
As part of the next step of a long-term partnership that dates back to 2017, Einride has announced that it will supply electric trucks to supermarket company Lidl this year to transform its supply chain to be emissions-free.
The companies are seeking to electrify and automate deliveries to Lidl locations in Sweden. The transformation to a zero-emissions transport network will take place in stages. Electrification will be the main focus in the short term, with automation being the focus in the next phase.
“At Lidl, we intend to be the industry leader for sustainable and completely fossil-free transport by 2025,” says Carl Ceder, Logistics Manager of Lidl Sweden.
North Carolina A&T-led interdisciplinary team to develop air passenger taxis
To address traffic congestion, NASA has awarded an interdisciplinary team led by North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (North Carolina A&T) a four-year, $8 million award to develop, test and eventually deploy air passenger taxis as a supplemental means of transportation.
The first historically black college or university (HBCU) to lead a project for NASA’s University Leadership Initiative (ULI), North Carolina A&T notes that the grant is the second-largest award the university has received in its history.
Nuro granted permit to test driverless, passengerless vehicles on public roads in California
The State of California has granted Nuro the first permit ever to test a self-driving vehicle on public roads that is both driverless and passengerless.
Only the second driverless testing permit California has granted to any company—Waymo received the first in 2018—the permit allows Nuro to begin testing its R2 vehicle in service with its partners, starting in the Silicon Valley region.
“California is Nuro’s home, and we are excited to bring our neighborhood-friendly R2 vehicle into our communities, in close cooperation with the DMV, local leaders, and law enforcement,” Nuro says.
NAVYA to continue equipping its autonomous vehicles with Velodyne lidar sensors
Velodyne Lidar Inc. recently announced a multi-year sales agreement with autonomous vehicle developer NAVYA.
Since 2015, NAVYA has been equipping its autonomous shuttles with Velodyne lidar sensors. Featuring optimized navigation and safety features, NAVYA’s autonomous shuttles offer first and last mile transportation options in cities and at private sites.
“NAVYA is at the forefront of inventing and growing the autonomous shuttle business, providing an innovative, clean mobility solution,” says Anand Gopalan, CEO, Velodyne Lidar.
MIT researchers invent simulation system to train driverless cars to navigate worse-case scenarios
To help driverless cars learn to navigate a variety of worse-case scenarios before they begin operating on real roads, researchers at MIT have invented a simulation system to train driverless cars that creates a photorealistic world with “infinite” steering possibilities.
According to the researchers, control systems—also known as “controllers” —for autonomous vehicles largely rely on real-world datasets of driving trajectories from human drivers. The vehicles use this data to learn how to emulate safe steering controls in different situations. Researchers note, though, that real-world data from hazardous “edge cases,” such as nearly crashing or being forced off the road or into other lanes, are rare.
EHang launching UAM pilot of passenger-grade AAVs in Lliria, Spain
Following the recent announcement of its cooperation agreement with the city government of Seville, Spain to launch the first Urban Air Mobility (UAM) pilot program in the country, EHang has announced a strategic partnership with Llíria, Spain as its fourth UAM pilot city globally.
In collaboration with the Llíria City Council, EHang will develop a 3D air mobility solution for smart cities and launch a pilot operation program of passenger-grade autonomous aerial vehicles (AAVs), which will seek to explore different application scenarios including tourism.
EHang, city government of Seville partner to launch first UAM pilot program in Spain
EHang and the city government of Seville, Spain have entered into a cooperation agreement to launch the first Urban Air Mobility (UAM) pilot program in Spain.
Under the agreement, EHang and the Seville government will work together to develop the urban air mobility, which includes passenger transportation, air logistics and command and control platforms in the city. In accordance with Spanish and European legislation, the city will also collaborate on applications for permission to conduct test flights, and it will coordinate with EHang to plan flight routes.
Locomation, Wilson Logistics partner for autonomous trucking pilot
The provider of what it says is the world’s first trucking technology platform to offer human-guided autonomous convoying, a company called Locomation has announced a multi-year partnership with transportation logistics company Wilson Logistics that will result in Locomation’s autonomous technology being put on the road across several critical Wilson Logistics shipping routes.
During the three-year pilot, Locomation’s Autonomous Relay Convoy (ARC) technology will be integrated onto 11 separate Wilson Logistics ARC segments. With ARC, one driver can pilot a lead truck equipped with technology augmentation while a follower truck operates in tandem through Locomation’s fully autonomous system, allowing the follower driver to log off and rest during this time.
