Vueron Newsletter
No. 199
2025.04.25
| ZF Receives Approval for Level 4 System | ||
| Autonomous Driving | Uber, WeRide Self-Driving Taxis Expand With Dubai Launch | |
| Autonomous Vehicles | Oxa and Applied EV partner to scale industrial autonomous mobility | |
| AEye debuts compact, high-range Lidar for Class 8 autonomy | ||
| Czechia’s first driverless passenger train takes to the railways |
1. ZF Receives Approval for Level 4 System
- ZF Mobility Solutions has received regulatory approval from the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) to test Level 4 autonomous driving systems on public roads across Germany.
- Unlike previous permits, this approval allows testing in both urban and regional areas, rather than being limited to predefined zones.
- The permit excludes highways and roads with speed limits above 100 km/h, focusing solely on local public transport applications.
- According to ZF, this flexibility will allow customers to develop and deploy autonomous mobility projects faster and more cost-effectively.
- ZF has already conducted a pilot test in Düsseldorf in cooperation with Rheinbahn AG, using an autonomous transport system with a safety driver.
- The current permit is valid through the end of 2026 and is extendable until 2028, enabling long-term testing and potential deployment in real-world environments.
ZF has received nationwide approval in Germany to test Level 4 autonomous driving systems for public transport in urban and regional areas, marking a significant step toward scalable autonomous mobility.
2. Uber, WeRide Self-Driving Taxis Expand With Dubai Launch
- Uber and WeRide are expanding their self-driving taxi services to Dubai, making it the second UAE city in which they operate together after Abu Dhabi.
- WeRide was previously granted a nationwide autonomous testing permit in the UAE, the first of its kind globally.
- The expansion reflects the UAE’s proactive stance on integrating autonomous mobility into public transport infrastructure.
- WeRide claims its presence in both cities establishes it as the leading autonomous mobility provider in the Middle East.
- The partnership with Uber aligns with Dubai’s Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims for 25% of all journeys to be autonomous within five years.
- Specific fleet details for Dubai have not yet been disclosed, but electric Nissan Ariyas are currently used in Abu Dhabi operations.
- WeRide has now obtained driverless operation permits in five countries: UAE, China, Singapore, the U.S., and recently France.
- The company is aiming for profitability within the next five years, while also targeting market expansion in Germany and Spain.
3. Oxa and Applied EV partner to scale industrial autonomous mobility
- Oxa and Applied EV have entered a strategic partnership to deliver turnkey autonomous fleet solutions for industrial applications.
- The collaboration combines Applied EV’s software-defined vehicle platforms with Oxa’s AI-driven self-driving software, including Oxa Driver, Foundry, and Hub.
- The initial rollout includes leasing 100 Blanc Robot vehicles, designed without cabins and optimized for scalable, high-volume logistics.
- This partnership addresses critical industry challenges like driver shortages, logistics inefficiencies, and the push for sustainability.
- The autonomous solution supports both on- and off-highway operations, making it suitable for logistics, agriculture, and mining sectors.
- Oxa’s software aims to serve as a “universal driver” capable of adapting to any vehicle and environment.
- The companies plan to scale the deployment across multiple global regions, including Asia-Pacific, the UK, the EU, and the US.
- The off-the-shelf nature of the solution aims to accelerate adoption, lower costs, and ease the transition to autonomous mobility for businesses.
Oxa and Applied EV are launching turnkey autonomous fleets to address industrial challenges and enable scalable self-driving deployments across global markets.
4. AEye debuts compact, high-range Lidar for Class 8 autonomy
- AEye has introduced Apollo, a new LiDAR sensor capable of detecting objects up to 1 kilometer away, designed to support autonomous Class 8 trucks operating at highway speeds.
- The compact, smartphone-sized design makes Apollo easier to integrate into commercial vehicles, including behind the windshield, grille, or on the roof.
- Apollo uses larger lenses than typical LiDAR systems, contributing to its extended detection range while maintaining a small physical footprint.
- Unlike camera-based ADAS systems, Apollo performs reliably in darkness, adverse weather, and bright sunlight, avoiding false triggers caused by lighting conditions.
- The LiDAR system provides 3D object recognition, including distance, speed, and road-level classification, enhancing real-time hazard identification.
- Apollo includes an external AI-driven software stack for object classification, integrated with NVIDIA Drive for autonomous vehicle compatibility.
- AEye positions its LiDAR as enabling a new level of artificial intelligence, moving beyond pattern recognition to true situational awareness.
- Beyond trucks, Apollo’s applications include airport safety, smart traffic systems, and drone detection, highlighting its versatility in smart infrastructure and security.
AEye’s new Apollo LiDAR delivers long-range detection and compact integration, aiming to enhance autonomous trucking and smart infrastructure with advanced AI-driven perception.
5. Czechia’s first driverless passenger train takes to the railways
- Czech tech firm AŽD Praha launched EDITA, the first autonomous passenger train in Europe, operating partially driverless on a regional rail line in the Hradec Králové Region.
- The train, a modified Class 810 railcar, is equipped with LiDAR, sensors, cameras, and the European Train Control System (ETCS) for real-time obstacle detection and decision-making.
- While a human operator is still onboard for regulatory compliance, the train runs autonomously for significant segments of its journey.
- On its maiden trip, the system successfully executed an automated emergency stop after the operator failed to press a required vigilance button.
- The train operates on a track owned by AŽD Praha, with over CZK 200 million invested by the company and CZK 120 million funded by the EU to support the project.
- Passengers can monitor live feeds and sensor data through an onboard display, enhancing public engagement with autonomous rail technology.
- Full autonomy is currently limited to specific route segments, with future upgrades targeting automated door and car control.
- Czech authorities view this as a milestone in transport innovation, with plans for wider deployment on national corridors within 5–10 years.
AŽD Praha has launched Europe’s first autonomous passenger train, showcasing advanced LiDAR-based perception and marking a pivotal moment for driverless rail in Czechia.
*Contents above are the opinion of ChatGPT, not an individual nor company
