[231010] #Denza #WATA #Toshiba

1. Mercedes-Benz First To Gain U.S. Approval For Level 3 Automated Driving System

• • Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its Drive Pilot system, representing the world’s first certified SAE Level 3 autonomous driving system for the U.S. market.
  • Mercedes-Benz has gained U.S. state approval for the deployment of this Level 3 system, putting it ahead of competitors like Tesla and General Motors.
  • The Drive Pilot system will debut in California and Nevada in late 2023 with a limited fleet of EQS Sedans, followed by a broader rollout in early 2024 with 2024 EQS Sedan and S-Class models.
  • The system can handle dynamic driving tasks up to 40 mph in suitable freeway conditions, allowing drivers to engage in other activities.
  • It incorporates various sensors, including LiDAR and cameras, for precise and reliable operation.
  • Drive Pilot will be available via a subscription model starting at $2,500 for S-Class and EQS models.
  • One standout feature is its precise positioning capabilities, surpassing traditional GPS.

2. BYD’s Denza launches cheaper driver assistance system with Nvidia amid rising competition

• • Chinese premium EV brand Denza has collaborated with U.S. chipmaker Nvidia to launch a more affordable version of its advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) to compete in the self-driving market.
  • Denza, an affiliate of BYD, is expanding its presence overseas and expects to start overseas sales in Australia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe as early as next year.
  • The affordable ADAS technology aims to lower the barrier to intelligent mobility and allows Denza vehicles to navigate highways in China and busy urban streets in major cities.
  • Denza’s flagship N7 SUV can now be equipped with Nvidia’s DRIVE Orin chips for automated driving, offering features like on-ramp to off-ramp driving and automatic lane changing on Chinese highways.
  • The new ADAS system costs RMB 15,000 ($2,053) and uses Nvidia’s DRIVE Orin processor with up to 84 TOPS of computing power.
  • There’s also a higher-end version priced at RMB 23,000, which enables vehicles to function autonomously on city streets, with a feature called City NOA (Navigate On Autopilot).
  • Denza plans to release its Highway NOA feature to N7 owners in December and the City NOA feature via an over-the-air update early next year.
  • BYD and Denza have been strong advocates for commercializing self-driving technology, with BYD using Nvidia’s semiconductor in other lineups as well.

3. Maersk, Kodiak Open Autonomous Trucking Lane

• • Maersk and Kodiak Robotics have launched the first commercial autonomous trucking lane between Houston and Oklahoma City, marking an expansion of their collaboration.
  • Kodiak has been delivering eight loads per week using autonomous vehicle control technology for Maersk customers since August, with a safety driver present in the truck at all times.
  • The companies are completing four round trips per week between a Houston facility and an Oklahoma City distribution center, capturing operational learnings as part of the Kodiak Partner Deployment Program.
  • Maersk aims to use self-driving trucks as a competitive advantage in providing an end-to-end logistics solution.
  • Kodiak focuses on safety and performance, equipping its autonomous vehicles with 18 sensors for a 360-degree view and continuous evaluation of safety-critical processes.

4. South Korea startup taps AI to prevent crowd crushes after Itaewon

• • South Korean startup WATA is using digital technology, including lidar sensors, to manage crowds and prevent tragic incidents like the deadly Halloween weekend crush in Seoul’s Itaewon area in 2022.
  • WATA’s system employs lidar sensors that can distinguish people from objects by bouncing light off crowds and work in the dark. A single laser can cover an area with a diameter of up to 100 meters.
  • Following the Itaewon incident, South Korea expanded its disaster management plans to include crowd surges, emphasizing the use of empirical data and AI for monitoring crowds in municipal surveillance systems.
  • WATA is currently monitoring foot traffic at six locations around the clock, sharing the data with authorities and management companies via an app and issuing alerts as crowd density increases.
  • South Korean localities now consider a space dangerously crowded if it has more than six people per square meter, while the Itaewon incident had a density exceeding 12 per square meter.
  • WATA has expanded its operations to Japan, recognizing the universal challenge of crowd safety, especially in densely populated areas.

5. Toshiba Develops World’s First LiDAR with 99.9% Tracking Accuracy

• • Toshiba has announced advancements in LiDAR technology, achieving an unmatched accuracy of 99.9% in object tracking and 98.9% in object recognition using LiDAR data alone.
  • Spatial digital twins, virtual replicas of real-world objects and systems, are becoming essential for modeling performance and making real-time decisions in various industries.
  • Toshiba’s LiDAR advancements address challenges related to the precision and environmental robustness required for spatial digital twins.
  • The three key LiDAR technologies developed by Toshiba are:
    • 2D/3D Fusion AI: Combines 2D and 3D data acquired by LiDAR and applies AI for object recognition and tracking with high accuracy, eliminating misalignment and vibration issues.
    • Rain/Fog Removal Algorithm: Removes rain and fog artifacts that affect LiDAR measurement accuracy, extending the detectable distance.
    • Variable Measurement Range Technology: Uses multiple projectors and lens configurations to extend LiDAR range and widen the angle of view, enabling long-distance measurement and wide-angle performance.
  • These advancements have the potential to enhance LiDAR applications in various fields, including mobility automation, infrastructure monitoring, and the creation of spatial digital twins.
  • Toshiba aims to commercialize solid-state LiDAR products by fiscal year 2025 and contribute to building a safer and more resilient society with widespread LiDAR applications.