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Category Archives: autonomous vehicles
DOJ – Cruise Deferred Prosecution for Pedestrian Crash
GM’s Cruise autonomous vehicle company* based in San Francisco, fixed a criminal charge in federal court for providing a false record to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with the intent to impede, obstruct, or influence the investigation of a crash involving one of Cruise’s autonomous vehicles. Cruise has agreed to resolve the charge through a deferred prosecution agreement and payment of a $500,000 criminal fine.
“Federal laws and regulations are in place to protect public safety on our roads. Companies with self-driving cars that seek to share our roads and crosswalks must be fully truthful in their reports to their regulators,” said Martha Boersch, Chief of the Office of the U.S. Attorney’s Criminal Division. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, autonomous vehicles, connected vehicles, litigation, mobility company, news analysis, quality, safety, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles
Tagged 000 criminal fine, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Cruise $500, Cruise Deferred Prosecution agreement, Ken Zino, Martha Boersch, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, X @KenAutoinformed
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Toyota to Invest in Joby Aviation EV Taxis!
In a quiet, overlooked announcement earlier this month, Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) and Joby Aviation( NYSE: JOBY), a company developing electric air taxis for commercial passenger service, announced that Toyota will invest an additional $500 million to support the certification and commercial production of Joby’s electric air taxi. The investment will be made in two equal tranches, with the first targeted to close later this year and the second during 2025. This is part of a trend of traditional automobile companies transitioning to mobility companies on land, the seas, air or space.
“Today’s investment builds on nearly seven years of collaboration between our companies,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO, Joby Aviation. “The knowledge and support shared by Toyota has been instrumental in Joby’s success and we look forward to deepening our relationship as we deliver on our shared vision for the future of air travel.” Continue reading
Posted in autonomous vehicles, aviation, economy, electric vehicles, engineering, environment, global warming, milestones, news analysis, shows and events, software defined vehicles, transportation
Tagged akio toyoda, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, electric air taxis, JoeBen Bevirt, Ken Zino, NYSE: JOBY, NYSE: TM, Tetsuo Ogawa, Toyota Ventures, X @KenAutoinformed
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Yawn or Yikes? Hyundai, Waymo Link on Autonomous SUVs
Hyundai Motor Company and Waymo today said they have entered into a multi-year, strategic partnership that will integrate Waymo’s sixth-generation fully autonomous technology, dubbed the Waymo Driver, into Hyundai’s all-electric IONIQ 5 SUV, which will be added to the Waymo One fleet over time.*
“We are thrilled to partner with Hyundai as we further our mission to be the world’s most trusted driver,” said Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO, Waymo. “Hyundai’s focus on sustainability and strong electric vehicle roadmap makes them a great partner for us as we bring our fully autonomous service to more riders in more places.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, autonomous vehicles, mobility company, news analysis, shows and events, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Chang Song, Hyundai and Waymo autonomous vehicles, Hyundai IONIQ 5, José Muñoz, Ken Zino, Tekedra Mawakana, X @KenAutoinformed
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Connected Car Wars – Biden Takes on China and Russia
“Connected vehicles provide many benefits — from promoting vehicle safety to assisting drivers with navigation — but they also pose new and growing threats. These technologies include computer systems that control vehicle movement and collect sensitive driver and passenger data as well as cameras and sensors that enable automated driving systems and record detailed information about American infrastructure. Now more than ever, vehicles are directly connected into our country’s digital networks,” The White House said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, autonomous vehicles, economy, electronics, engineering, environment, milestones, news analysis, safety, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles
Tagged Alliance for Automotive Innovation, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automated driving systems, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Biden Administration, John Bozzella, Ken Zino, national security, People’s Republic of China, prc, russia, VCS and ADS software, vehicle connectivity systems, X @KenAutoinformed
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IIHS On Intelligent Speed Assistance
“ISA systems have been around for several decades. Using GPS devices with speed limit maps, onboard sensors or cameras that “read” signs or both, they can identify the speed limit in the vehicle’s location and detect when the driver exceeds it, but they vary in their response. Unlike the unit I used, which worked by restricting the engine’s output, some systems only provide an audible or visual warning or make the accelerator harder to press. As of July 1, new vehicles sold in Europe are required to have ISA that at least provides a warning, and the California legislature is currently considering a similar mandate for vehicles sold in the state.
“Even without a legal requirement, ISA systems of various types are starting to appear as options on new vehicles in the U.S., and companies such as MAGTEC and Sturdy sell aftermarket ISA systems, primarily targeting fleet operators. Navigation apps also include speed warnings if the user chooses. Continue reading
Posted in autonomous vehicles, blog, electronics, engineering, litigation, news analysis, people, public health, safety, shows and events, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ian Reagan, insurance institute for highway safety, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed
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First Level 4 Autonomous Fuel Cell EV Truck Demonstrated
Hyundai Motor Company and an autonomous driving software firm called Plus* today unveiled what’s claimed to be the first SAE Level 4 autonomous Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric truck in the U.S. at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. A Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell truck, equipped with Plus SuperDrive™ Level 4 (SAE) autonomous driving technology, is on display at the Plus ACT Expo booth (#2044).
Ultimately, software driven vehicles can replace drivers completely so further developments put global truck makers and their customers on a collision course with driver’s unions. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, environment, global warming, new vehicle, news analysis, public health, shows and events, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Class 8 fuel cell electric trucks, Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell truck, Ken Zino, Martin Zeilinger, PlusDrive®, SAE level 4 autonomous driving, Shawn Kerrigan
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Honda and IBM MoU on Software-Defined Vehicles
“The MOU outlines areas of potential joint research of specialized semiconductor technologies such as brain-inspired computing *[2 ] and chiplet technologies, with the aim to dramatically improve processing performance while, simultaneously, decreasing power consumption. Hardware and software co-optimization is important to ensure high performance and fast time to market. To achieve such benefits and manage design complexity for future SDVs, the two companies also plan to explore open and flexible software solutions,” Honda said in a release from Tokyo. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, autonomous vehicles, connected vehicles, electronics, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, automotive software, hardware and software co-optimization, Honda and IBM, Ken Zino, software-defined vehicles
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NHTSA Investigation Opened on Ford Blue Cruise Fatalities
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is conducting a preliminary investigation of Mustang Mach-E electric vehicle crashes with Blue Cruise autonomous driving on freeways at night according to documents made public by the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) today. The crashes which killed three people occurred when Blue Cruise was in use just before the collisions. Continue reading
Posted in autonomous vehicles, connected vehicles, news analysis, safety, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ford Blue Cruise fatalities, Ken Zino, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA Office of Defects Investigations
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Department of Commerce Proposes $8.5B Intel Funding
The U.S. Department of Commerce and Intel Corporation have reached a non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) to provide up to $8.5 billion in direct funding under the CHIPS and Science Act to strengthen the U.S. supply chain and re-establish American leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, the Biden-Harris Administration said today. This is the Department of Commerce’s fourth PMT announcement under the CHIPS and Science Act. So-called leading-edge chips power the most sophisticated technology extant, including developing AI and building critical military systems and weapons.
“There is no one who cares more about revitalizing American manufacturing than President Biden, and today’s announcement is a massive step towards ensuring America’s leadership in manufacturing for the 21st century. With this agreement, we are helping to incentivize over $100 billion in investments from Intel – marking one of the largest investments ever in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, which will create over 30,000 good-paying jobs and ignite the next generation of innovation,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, autonomous cars, autonomous vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles
Tagged artificial intelligence, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Biden-Harris Administration, CHIPS and Science Act, Gina Raimondo, Intel, Intel 18A, Ken Zino, Pat Gelsinger, semi-conductors, U.S. Department of Commerce
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EV Bedfellows – Nissan and Mitsubishi Sign MoU
Nissan Motor (7201T. NSANY ADR) and Mitsubishi Corporation (8058.T) have signed a memorandum of understanding to pursue a new joint initiative in next-generation-mobility and energy-related services using electric vehicles in Japan. The companies said today that Japan as a country has been addressing issues such as driver shortages due to a declining population, and difficulties maintaining public transportation services due to decreasing numbers of users. Nissan and MC have also been undertaking various initiatives to solve these problems.
Joint initiatives of course have potential economies of scale, reducing the intense capital costs required to develop EVs and autonomous vehicles. This is making for what would have previously been unlikely hookups or strange bedfellows. Nissan and Honda, Two of Japan’s Big Three automakers, previously announced that will study sharing automotive software platforms, core components related to EVs, and complementary products. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, autonomous cars, autonomous vehicles, connected vehicles, economy, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, milestones, mobility company, news, news analysis, public health, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, EV Bedfellows, Japan Inc, Ken Zino, Makoto Uchida Nissan president and CEO
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GM Expands Super Cruise Network in North America Again
“GM is all-in on safely deploying Super Cruise as we make the technology available on more vehicles, more roads and for more people to enjoy. A key part of that is expanding the road network, in this case nearly doubling it again, with LiDAR mapped highways. High precision LiDAR mapping gives us an operating domain where we are confident in Super Cruise’s abilities, “said Anantha Kancherla, GM vice president of ADAS. Continue reading
GM About Face on Robo Taxi Development
General Motors (NYSE: GM) plans to realign its autonomous driving strategy and prioritize development of advanced driver assistance systems on a path to fully autonomous personal vehicles. GM will build on its Super Cruise program, the company’s hands-off, eyes-on driving feature, now offered on more than 20 GM vehicle models and currently logging over 10 million miles per month. GM made the announcement on a conference call for analysts late yesterday. The move could mean significant savings next year on research and development costs at the embattled company.
“GM is committed to delivering the best driving experiences to our customers in a disciplined and capital efficient manner,” said Mary Barra, chair and CEO of GM. “Cruise has been an early innovator in autonomy, and the deeper integration of our teams, paired with GM’s strong brands, scale, and manufacturing strength, will help advance our vision for the future of transportation.” Continue reading →