[250718] #Volkswagen #Pony.ai #Waymo

1. Advances in LiDAR and Radar accelerate driving autonomy

• Volkswagen is launching the Level 4 autonomous ID.Buzz AD microbus, initially for Uber’s human-driven ride-hailing pilots in Los Angeles (2026), with full autonomy planned for 2027.

• The ID.Buzz AD is already providing urban ride-pooling services in Hamburg via MOIA, Volkswagen’s shared mobility subsidiary.

• VW’s earlier AV efforts through CARIAD and Argo.ai faced delays and internal conflicts, echoing challenges faced by Ford and GM Cruise.

• The company now re-enters the AV market amid strong competition from tech leaders like Waymo, Zoox, Tesla, and even OpenAI.

• Volkswagen’s revised business model focuses on partnering with existing mobility operators to deploy its autonomous platform.

• Hardware components (vehicle, sensors, compute) are shared with L2–L3 vehicles, allowing volume-based cost efficiency.

• The company leverages its mature sensor manufacturing and automotive supply chain capabilities.

• Recent advances in LiDAR and imaging radar—especially from Innoviz, Valeo, and Mobileye—have made AV perception more affordable and scalable.

2. Ford CEO prefers Waymo’s LiDAR over Tesla’s camera-only approach

• Ford CEO Jim Farley voiced skepticism toward Tesla’s camera-only autonomous driving strategy, emphasizing the need for consumer trust and system reliability.

• In contrast, he praised Waymo’s LiDAR-based approach, calling it a more sensible and mission-critical solution for safe self-driving.

• Farley made these remarks at the Aspen Ideas Festival, highlighting that both Tesla and Waymo have progressed but differ fundamentally in technical philosophy.

• Tesla relies on video cameras and AI for perception, a method questioned by industry experts for its limitations in complex driving scenarios.

• Ford discontinued funding for Argo AI in 2022 and shifted focus to BlueCruise, a Level 2 hands-free highway driving system.

• The company no longer aims to build a full Level 4 AV internally but plans to collaborate with technology partners instead.

• Farley’s comments reflect an industry-wide trend toward sensor fusion and strategic partnerships over solo development.

• Waymo’s success in diverse urban deployments with its LiDAR stack further validates Ford’s direction.

3. Self-driving shuttle bus service to launch Monday in Seoul’s Dongjak District

• Seoul will begin operating a daytime self-driving shuttle bus in Dongjak District starting July 1, marking a significant expansion of its AV services.

• The route, Dongjak A01, spans a 1.62 km loop between Soongsil and Chung-Ang Universities, with 14 round trips daily on weekdays.

• Two autonomous electric minibuses from Hyundai Motor will stop at eight designated points, operating at 20–25 minute intervals.

• Initial trial rides (July 1–11) are limited to selected passengers, with full public access starting July 14.

• The service will be free through the first half of 2026, with seated-only boarding for safety in early phases.

• Additional routes are planned for Dongdaemun and Seodaemun districts in September, as part of a broader urban AV rollout.

• District governments will oversee operations and route selection, while the city covers costs and provides technical support in the first year.

• The goal is to establish self-driving neighborhood buses as a permanent solution for underserved transit areas in Seoul.

4. Pony AI: Pioneering the Robotaxi Revolution Through Strategic Partnerships and Scalable Technology

• Pony AI is deploying over 1,000 Gen 7 robotaxis in Shenzhen by the end of 2025, marking a 300% year-over-year increase in fleet size.

• The company’s asset-light strategy relies on partners like Shenzhen Xihu Corporation for fleet operations, while Pony focuses on AI development.

• Global expansion is underway with GAC (China), Emile Weber (Luxembourg), and pilot projects across the Middle East and Europe.

• Gen 7 platform cuts hardware costs by 70%, reduces power consumption by 40%, and integrates six sensor types (LiDAR, cameras, radar) for 360° perception.

• The proprietary “PonyWorld” platform uses reinforcement learning to improve decision-making in complex urban scenarios.

• Mass production with Toyota began mid-2025, with scale-up plans from 250 to 1,000+ vehicles by year-end.

• Despite a YTD stock decline, Pony AI holds a Zacks Rank #2, with strong forecasts tied to a Dubai Uber pilot and regulatory wins in China.

• Analysts see a $150/share target by end-2026, citing scalable tech, robust alliances, and leadership in AV deployment.

5. Self-driving public shuttles to hit Punggol roads by fourth quarter

• Singapore will deploy self-driving public shuttles in the Punggol estate by Q4 2025, marking the country’s most significant autonomous mobility rollout to date.

• The initiative aims to enhance connectivity within HDB estates and eventually address labor shortages in transport services such as night buses.

• Early deployment will focus on short, fixed routes, with safety officers on board and clearly marked low-speed vehicles.

• The rollout will proceed in phases: initial road presence → limited passenger service → full autonomous operation.

• Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow emphasized that residents’ familiarity and comfort with AVs will be key before removing human supervision.

• Punggol was chosen for its mature infrastructure and travel patterns, with Tengah targeted as the next rollout site in 2026.

• Singapore’s Ministry of Transport is in talks with operators including Waymo, Chinese AV firms (e.g., WeRide, DiDi, Pony.ai ), and local transport providers.

• The government may provide funding to support early deployments, with fare ranges expected to fall between public transit and taxi prices.