[231031] #Uber #Pony.ai #Cyngn

1. Uber begins offering rides in self-driving Waymo cars

• • Uber announced a partnership with Waymo, an autonomous car company owned by Google’s parent company, Alphabet.
  • This partnership allows customers in Phoenix to order fully autonomous rides through Uber.
  • Phoenix is the first city to publicly offer access to Waymo’s autonomous vehicles, making it the world’s largest fully autonomous service area.
  • Rides in Waymo autonomous cars through Uber will have the same pricing as traditional Uber car rides.
  • Both Uber and Waymo have received support from local regulators for this service.
  • Customers can be paired with a Waymo autonomous vehicle when they request rides in UberX, Uber Comfort, Uber Comfort Electric, or Uber Green within Waymo’s operating territory.
  • Customers will be notified in the Uber app if they are paired with a fully autonomous vehicle and can choose to accept or reject it.
  • A 24/7 customer helpline is available for passengers traveling in Waymo cars.

2. Pony.ai secures USD 100 million from Saudi Arabia amidst rising Middle Eastern interest

• • Chinese autonomous driving technology company Pony.ai has secured a $100 million investment from Neom Investment Fund, the investment arm of Neom, a Saudi Arabian future city project.
  • Both Pony.ai and Neom will establish a joint venture to oversee the deployment of Pony.ai’s robotaxi fleet in Neom. Pony.ai will also construct manufacturing and R&D facilities in the area.
  • Investment from the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, has become a valuable source of capital for Chinese AI and autonomous driving companies.
  • Middle Eastern investment institutions are interested in Chinese companies in the new energy vehicle industry, aligning with the region’s adoption of new energy sources.
  • While Middle Eastern investments support the survival and overseas expansion of Chinese autonomous driving and new energy vehicle companies, sustainable revenue and self-sustaining capabilities remain crucial.

3.  Autonomous MAN prototype completes motorway test drives

• • A consortium of organizations, including MAN Truck & Bus and Bosch, has been working on the ATLAS-L4 project since January 2022 to enable autonomous Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) to operate on specific routes with technical supervision in compliance with German autonomous driving laws.
  • Substantial progress has been made since the project’s inception, with MAN Truck & Bus unveiling a prototype vehicle equipped with sensors and advanced computer systems for data acquisition and preliminary highway test drives.
  • Safety-critical systems, including the electrical framework, steering mechanisms, and braking systems, have undergone rigorous testing and development.
  • An advanced control center for technical oversight has been established, enabling real-time monitoring of the vehicle’s status and safety parameters since September 2023.
  • The project has conducted a comprehensive risk analysis and implemented critical cybersecurity measures to protect against cyber threats and operational disruptions.
  • The next milestone involves deploying the test vehicle on public highways, with safety drivers on board, expected to start before the end of the year.
  • The primary goal of ATLAS-L4 is to demonstrate the feasibility of Level 4 autonomous vehicles on highways, potentially revolutionizing the logistics industry by improving efficiency, safety, and reducing traffic congestion.
  • The project is set to continue its work until December 2024, aiming to develop an industry-ready framework for autonomous truck operation on highways.

4. Cyngn Inc. Raises $1.3 Million to Boost Autonomous Driving Technology

• • Cyngn Inc. has raised $1.3 million through the sale of common stock using an At-The-Market (ATM) agreement.
  • The funds will be used for general corporate purposes, including investments in commercial sales.
  • The ATM program has allowed Cyngn to raise capital cost-effectively to support its growth and strategic hiring.
  • Cyngn has experienced significant momentum in sales activity, expanding its sales team and client base.
  • The ATM sale agreement was made with Virtu Americas LLC as the agent.
  • Cyngn develops scalable autonomous vehicle technology for industrial organizations, helping increase productivity and efficiency.
  • Their DriveMod Kit allows for autonomous technology adoption in new or existing industrial vehicles.
  • Cyngn’s Enterprise Autonomy Suite includes DriveMod, Cyngn Insight, and Cyngn Evolve, offering a comprehensive solution for autonomous driving and fleet management.

5. POSCO DX develops AI-based roadkill prevention system

• • POSCO DX, an IT services subsidiary of POSCO Holdings, has developed an AI-based roadkill prevention system in collaboration with the Korea National Park Service.
  • The system uses LiDAR sensors and CCTV cameras along specific road sections to detect and identify wild animals crossing the road.
  • It can identify the species of animals, such as deer or cats, and relays this information to drivers through LED display boards.
  • The system was tested in a pilot project within the Hallyeohaesang National Park after optimizing it with deep learning algorithms.
  • It incorporates POSCO DX’s proprietary Vision AI Solution, which has applications beyond wildlife protection, including quality control and cargo classification in various industries.