Vueron Newsletter
No. 210
2025.06.06
| World’s largest fleet of autonomous mining trucks goes live at Chinese coal mine |
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| Autonomous Driving | WeRide Launches Fully Driverless Robotaxi Trial Operations in Abu Dhabi, Broadens Service Coverage | |
| LiDAR | LiDAR maker Hesai makes confidential filing for HK listing | |
| BSI’s LiDAR Triple Play Revolutionizes Surveying in Down to Earth Series | ||
| Uber partners with Volkswagen to launch autonomous shared rides by 2026 |
1. World’s largest fleet of autonomous mining trucks goes live at Chinese coal mine
- China has deployed the world’s largest fleet of autonomous electric mining trucks at the Yimin open-pit coal mine in Inner Mongolia, operated by state-backed Huaneng Group.
- The fleet consists of 100 driverless trucks powered by Huawei’s autonomous driving systems, improving operational efficiency by 20% compared to conventional trucks.
- These trucks can operate in extreme conditions, withstanding temperatures as low as -40°C and carrying up to 90 tonnes per trip.
- Huawei’s Commercial Vehicle Autonomous Driving Cloud Service (CVADCS) enables real-time tracking, route optimization, and cloud-based coordination for enhanced safety.
- The trucks use 5G-Advanced (5G-A) technology with 500 Mbps uplink speeds and 20 milliseconds latency, ensuring seamless vehicle-to-cloud communication.
- The initiative is part of China’s push for digital transformation in traditional industries, integrating AI, 5G-A, and cloud computing for smarter mining.
- Huaneng Group plans to expand the fleet to 300 autonomous trucks over three years and explore international markets, including Africa and Latin America.
- The project also supports China’s zero-carbon mining strategy by replacing fuel-powered trucks with electric models, reducing emissions in the Yimin region.
China has launched the world’s largest fleet of 100 autonomous electric mining trucks, powered by Huawei, at Yimin mine, enhancing productivity and safety with 5G-A and AI technology.
2. WeRide Launches Fully Driverless Robotaxi Trial Operations in Abu Dhabi, Broadens Service Coverage
- WeRide has launched fully driverless Robotaxi trial operations in Abu Dhabi, becoming the first company to operate such a service in the Middle East.
- The fleet of Robotaxis will operate without safety drivers, marking a significant milestone in autonomous mobility.
- Service coverage has expanded to include Al Maryah Island, a financial hub, and Al Reem Island, a residential and lifestyle district.
- These areas build on WeRide’s existing network covering Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, and routes to Zayed International Airport.
- WeRide received the UAE’s first national license for autonomous driving in July 2023, enabling testing and operations across the country.
- In December 2024, WeRide partnered with Uber to launch the largest commercial Robotaxi service outside the US and China in Abu Dhabi.
- As a member of the Abu Dhabi Smart & Autonomous Systems Council, WeRide advises on infrastructure and regulations for autonomous mobility.
- WeRide operates in over 30 cities across 10 countries, with driverless permits in China, the UAE, Singapore, France, and the US.
3. LiDAR maker Hesai makes confidential filing for HK listing
- Hesai Group, the world’s largest LiDAR manufacturer, has confidentially filed for a listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX).
- This follows Hong Kong’s recent regulatory change allowing technology companies to file for listings confidentially, similar to the US process.
- Hesai previously went public on Nasdaq in February 2023, where it achieved a market capitalization of $2.3 billion.
- The company became the first publicly traded LiDAR maker to achieve full-year profitability and positive operating cash flow in 2024, with RMB 13.7 million ($1.9 million) in net income.
- In 2024, Hesai shipped 501,900 LiDAR units, a 126% year-on-year increase, and has set a target of 1.2 million to 1.5 million units for 2025.
- Hesai recently signed an agreement with Leapmotor to supply 200,000 units of its ATX LiDAR, covering multiple production models starting in 2025.
- The company’s confidential Hong Kong listing could provide further capital for global expansion and strengthen its presence in Asia.
- Hesai’s move comes as Chinese autonomous driving startup Pony AI also filed for a Hong Kong listing, highlighting a trend among Chinese tech companies.
Hesai, the world’s largest LiDAR maker, has confidentially filed for a Hong Kong listing, aiming to strengthen its market presence and accelerate its global expansion.
4. BSI’s LiDAR Triple Play Revolutionizes Surveying in Down to Earth Series
- BSI Engineering and Surveying has been featured in GeoCue’s new “Down to Earth” series, demonstrating how it leverages a “LiDAR Triple Play” to transform surveying.
- The firm utilizes three types of LiDAR technology: drone-based aerial LiDAR, mobile LiDAR for road mapping, and handheld LiDAR/SLAM scanning for detailed measurements.
- By adopting LiDAR, BSI dramatically reduced surveying times—from months to weeks—while improving data accuracy and safety for field crews.
- In the first episode, BSI highlights how drone-based LiDAR accelerated topographic surveys and enhanced worker safety.
- The second episode focuses on how BSI combines aerial, mobile, and handheld LiDAR to collect precise data in a fraction of the time of traditional methods.
- The third episode showcases how BSI processes data from all three LiDAR sources using GeoCue’s LP360 software, enabling efficient data integration and analysis.
- BSI’s approach has led to faster project completion, higher accuracy, and significant cost savings, making it a model for other surveying firms.
- This “LiDAR Triple Play” demonstrates how diverse LiDAR applications can enhance efficiency, scale operations, and deliver high-quality results.
BSI Engineering and Surveying revolutionizes its workflow with a “LiDAR Triple Play,” leveraging aerial, mobile, and handheld LiDAR to boost speed, accuracy, and safety in surveying.
5. Uber partners with Volkswagen to launch autonomous shared rides by 2026
- Uber has partnered with Volkswagen to launch a fleet of autonomous, all-electric ID. Buzz AD vehicles for shared rides across multiple U.S. cities by 2026.
- This collaboration aligns with Uber’s vision of a “shared, electric, and autonomous” future for urban mobility.
- The service will begin in Los Angeles, making it the first instance of shared autonomous rides on the Uber platform.
- Uber’s transition to partnerships with 18 autonomous vehicle companies, including Volkswagen, followed its 2020 sale of Uber Advanced Technologies Group to Aurora.
- The company has already launched autonomous ride services in Texas with Waymo, and plans to expand to Atlanta soon.
- Uber’s autonomous network has grown to an annual run-rate of 1.5 million Mobility and Delivery autonomous trips, supported by six partners in 11 cities.
- For successful shared autonomous rides, Uber emphasizes the importance of a dense network of riders and drivers, combined with advanced matching technology.
- The partnership with Volkswagen is expected to enhance public trust in autonomous vehicles and accelerate their adoption in urban areas.
Uber and Volkswagen will launch a fleet of autonomous, all-electric ID. Buzz AD vehicles for shared rides in the U.S. by 2026, marking a major step in autonomous urban mobility.
*Contents above are the opinion of ChatGPT, not an individual nor company
