Horizon Robotics’ Post

Autonomous Driving 🙌 🚘 Where we are today and what is down the road 🛣 The journey towards autonomous driving is marked by several key milestones, with the transition between level 3 and level 4 automation presenting the most significant technological challenge. At level 4, vehicles can handle specific driving conditions without human intervention, paving the way for applications in select use cases. Autonomous driving technology has evolved from basic driver assistance systems to advanced automation levels defined by SAE International. Levels 0 to 2 require constant human monitoring, with level 2 offering combined lateral and longitudinal control in specific situations. However, the driver must be ready to take over immediately. The focus of automotive manufacturers now lies between levels 2 and 4. The leap from partial to conditional automation at level 3, where the driver can be out of the loop, marks a significant shift. Level 4 automation further advances, allowing vehicles to manage specified traffic conditions without human intervention. While level 3 and level 4 technologies are already being deployed, level 3 primarily focuses on automated highway pilots, while level 4 is applied in specific applications such as automated valet parking and early robo-taxi fleets in selected cities. In terms of market penetration, estimates suggest that 5% of new vehicle sales will offer level 4 or level 5 automation in a base case scenario. However, with favorable regulatory decisions, widespread social acceptance, and technological innovation, this could rise to as high as 49%. Regulatory support plays a crucial role in the widespread adoption of autonomous driving beyond specific use cases. Overall, the transition from level 3 to level 4 automation represents a critical step towards achieving full autonomy in vehicles, with implications for safety, convenience, and mobility.

Nuro will begin licensing its self-driving platform to automakers. Nuro Inc. has announced a significant expansion of its business model by licensing its advanced AI-based autonomy platform, the Nuro Driver, to automotive OEMs and mobility providers. The Mountain View, Calif.-based company aims to enable self-driving passenger vehicles in addition to its current focus on goods delivery. This strategic shift leverages Nuro’s extensive experience in autonomous vehicle (AV) deployments to accelerate technology adoption across the transportation industry. The Nuro Driver integrates automotive-grade hardware with sophisticated artificial intelligence software, offering up to SAE Level 4 (L4) autonomy for personal vehicles and mobility platforms. Alongside this, Nuro introduced the Nuro AI Platform, featuring scalable developer tools to support AI development and validation for the Nuro Driver. Andrew Clare, Nuro’s Chief Technology Officer, emphasized that the company’s core mission remains to enhance daily life through robotics, and its focus on L4 autonomy continues to be a central goal. Founded in 2016, Nuro initially concentrated on autonomous delivery vehicles designed for goods, not passenger comfort. This approach was driven by a commitment to road safety rather than consumer convenience. The company made headlines in 2020 and 2021 by becoming the first U.S. autonomous vehicle developer to receive exemptions from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for public road testing without human operator controls. Despite challenges, including a 2022 staff reduction of 20%, Nuro believes it now has the technology and industry support needed for large-scale deployment. Clare noted that advancements in lidar, radar, and computing technology have significantly improved since the company’s inception. The recently unveiled fourth-generation Nuro Driver features solid-state lidar and the NVIDIA Thor compute architecture, enhancing scalability, cost-efficiency, and reliability. Clare highlighted ongoing discussions with OEMs interested in the Nuro Driver and the Nuro AI Platform, signaling a strong potential for integrating this technology into personally owned vehicles with advanced autonomy. For more updates,  visit our page. Photo CTTO

ADAS Post : Have you heard of CAM 2025 ? CAM 2025 refers to the Connected and Automated Mobility 2025 initiative by the UK government, aimed at advancing the development and deployment of self-driving vehicles and connected mobility technologies on UK roads by the year 2025. This initiative is part of the UK's broader strategy to become a world leader in autonomous and connected vehicle technology. Key Components of CAM 2025: Deployment of Self-Driving Vehicles by 2025: The UK government has committed to having fully autonomous vehicles on public roads by 2025, including vehicles operating without a driver under certain conditions (such as Level 4 or Level 5 automation). £100 Million Funding: The initiative includes a £100 million investment to support the research and development of connected and automated mobility (CAM) technologies. This funding is designed to boost testing, safety protocols, and innovation in autonomous vehicle technologies. Supporting Legislation and Safety Standards: CAM 2025 builds on the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 and other regulatory frameworks to ensure that safety, cybersecurity, and insurance policies are ready to support a widespread rollout of autonomous technologies. The Law Commission of England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission are working on establishing a comprehensive legal framework to support higher levels of vehicle autonomy (Level 4 and Level 5). Use Cases for Autonomous Vehicles: CAM 2025 includes the deployment of self-driving vehicles across various sectors, such as: Public transport (autonomous buses or shuttles) Logistics and delivery services Private autonomous vehicles for consumer use Ride-hailing services with self-driving cars Economic Growth and Job Creation: The CAM initiative is part of the government’s vision to drive innovation and economic growth in the automotive sector. It is expected to create jobs in mobility, technology, engineering, and infrastructure, while also making UK roads safer and reducing congestion. Testing and Trials: Several autonomous vehicle testing sites and trial programs are already underway in the UK, focusing on proving the safety and reliability of self-driving cars in real-world conditions. CAM 2025 will accelerate these trials with the aim of moving towards full deployment within the next few years. Vision for the Future: CAM 2025 aims to position the UK as a global leader in Connected and Automated Mobility by enabling the seamless integration of autonomous and connected technologies in everyday life. By 2025, the UK envisions having the regulatory and safety frameworks in place to allow for safe, reliable, and fully autonomous vehicles to operate on public roads, reshaping the future of transportation. We should definitely expect major movements and opportunities in this space ! It might be fully realized by 2026\27 but it is important to stick to the vision and keep working towards it !

AI Disruption: GM Shuts Down Cruise Robotaxi Venture, Full article link 👇🏻👇🏻 https://lnkd.in/dJZt3hUB Autonomous driving features for consumer vehicles are transforming the automotive landscape, promising to enhance safety, convenience, and the overall driving experience. The Future of Autonomous Driving in Consumer Vehicles In recent years, the race towards autonomous driving has gained unprecedented momentum. Major automotive manufacturers and tech companies alike are focusing their efforts on developing innovative […] #AIInsights #MachineLearning #ArtificialIntelligence #AITutorials #MLGuides #TechInnovation #AIBreakthroughs #DataScience #DeepLearning #AIApplications #AIForBeginners #AIIndustryNews #AIEducation #MLTrends #AIResearch #NeuralNetworks #AIExperts #FutureOfAI #TechTrends #GenerativeAI #AIInnovation #MLOperations #AIUseCases #ResponsibleAI #AIAutomation #TechLeadership #AIForBusiness #AITrends2024 #AITransformations #MLAlgorithms

The widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles may not eliminate all accidents, but it promises to reduce their frequency and severity significantly. Combined with supportive infrastructure, robust regulations, and continuous technological advancements, full autonomy could redefine road safety globally.

The idea of fully autonomous cars navigating cities and highways remains a futuristic vision, but global research and development efforts are actively working towards that goal. Today, driver assistance systems are progressively assuming tasks to pave the way for safe and reliable autonomous driving. To ensure the success and widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles, advanced measurement and testing technology are essential. Check out this insightful article shedding light on the crucial components driving this innovation forward.

Autonomous Driving is dead. If you have been following the headlines recently, you might be veering towards that conclusion as well, with the high profile Cruise announcement by General Motors. However, if you look at the long arc of progress, this announcement only means that the Robotaxi business model, based on Autonomous Driving is not yet a viable one, and solving autonomous driving + Robotaxi business model requires investments that GM is not willing to continue. The incremental progress towards autonomous continues, and the state of the art ADAS continues to evolve. Tesla’s FSD (yes, it as an ADAS, despite the lingo), Ford’s Blue Cruise, GM’s Super Cruise and Mercedes’ Drive Pilot keep getting better at intervention free driving over longer intervals, at higher speeds and on more roads. As onboard compute continues to become more powerful, as sensors get miniaturized and as connectivity latency and bandwidth improves, ADAS will continue to evolve and will eventually morph from being “Advanced Driver Assistance” systems to “Autonomous Driving” systems. And the Robotaxi future will be here, maybe not with the general purpose car sitting in our driveways, and not everywhere all at once, but definitely in some combination of geographically limited operations, with purpose built form factors and specialized use cases like Waymo, or Zoox, or Gatik or Refraction.AI or Yogio. The aging population profile of tomorrow - where more than 426M people world-wide will be over 80 years old, with 9M of them being over 90 yrs old, and 600K being over 100 years old - needs Autonomous Driving to be solved sooner than later.

Nissan, Mitsubishi Corporation to Establish Joint Venture for Autonomous Driving and EV Services - https://lnkd.in/gq9n5hYt TOKYO, Nov 05 (News On Japan) - Nissan Motor Co. and Mitsubishi Corporation are set to launch a new joint venture aimed at offering autonomous driving and electric vehicle (EV) services. According to sources familiar with the matter, Nissan and Mitsubishi have finalized plans to jointly fund and establish the new company, which will provide services utilizing autonomous driving and EV technologies, by the end of the current fiscal year. Nissan aims to launch a paid service using autonomous driving technology to transport passengers, while Mitsubishi is progressing with the commercialization of an AI-based system designed to optimize travel routes. By combining their expertise, the two companies plan to accelerate these initiatives with an eye toward launching Level 4 autonomous driving services in the future, under specific conditions that eliminate the need for human intervention. The new company also intends to conduct pilot tests starting next year and is exploring additional services, including the use of EV batteries to store electricity for home use or to sell surplus power back to utility companies. Source: TBS https://lnkd.in/gPX-y4jw Source

Driving Innovation in Modern Vehicles In the rapidly evolving world of automotive technology, control systems are at the forefront of innovation, steering the future of vehicle performance, safety, and efficiency. These sophisticated systems are the brains behind many of the features we now take for granted, from adaptive cruise control to automated parking. At the core of automotive control systems are Electronic Control Units (ECUs), which act as the vehicle's central nervous system. Modern vehicles can have dozens of ECUs, each managing different aspects of the car’s operation. These units communicate with each other through complex networks to ensure seamless integration and coordination. One of the most revolutionary advances in automotive control systems is Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). ADAS encompasses a range of technologies designed to enhance driving safety and comfort. Features like lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking are all powered by sophisticated algorithms and sensor data processed in real-time. These systems use sensors such as radar, LiDAR, and cameras to monitor the vehicle’s surroundings, making split-second decisions that can prevent accidents and improve driving experience. Another crucial aspect is Engine Control Units (ECUs), which manage engine performance, fuel efficiency, and emissions. By continuously adjusting parameters such as fuel injection timing and ignition, these systems optimize engine operation under varying conditions, ensuring the vehicle runs smoothly and efficiently. This not only enhances performance but also contributes to lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions. Electric and Hybrid Vehicles bring another dimension to automotive control systems. These vehicles require sophisticated powertrain control strategies to manage the interplay between electric motors and internal combustion engines. Battery management systems ensure optimal performance and longevity of the batteries by regulating charge and discharge cycles. The future of automotive control systems is heavily intertwined with autonomous driving. Self-driving technology relies on advanced control algorithms to interpret data from an array of sensors, making decisions that emulate human driving behavior. As vehicles become increasingly autonomous, control systems will play a pivotal role in navigating complex environments, ensuring safety, and adapting to changing road conditions. In conclusion, automotive control systems are integral to the transformation of modern vehicles, enhancing performance, safety, and efficiency. As technology continues to advance, these systems will drive innovation, making our roads safer and our driving experiences more enjoyable. The journey towards fully autonomous vehicles is well underway, and control systems will be at the heart of this exciting evolution.

A technology in the purest form of functionality, taking 'worries' out of driving. #Arrow #eInfochips #ADAS #Autonomous #Safety #AutomotiveIndustry #Innovation #Future #Technology #AI