[250729] #Baidu Apollo #Grab #Innoviz

1. World’s first self-driving car rental service officially launches in China

• China has launched the world’s first autonomous car rental service for long-distance, self-directed travel.

• The project is a collaboration between CAR Inc. and Baidu Apollo, leveraging Apollo’s advanced autonomous driving platform.

• Unlike robotaxis, the service allows users to rent Level 4 autonomous vehicles for flexible, extended personal use.

• Vehicles can be reserved for specific time slots, allowing travel to various destinations beyond city limits.

• Baidu Apollo reports over 170 million kilometers of safe autonomous driving, with safety performance 10x better than human drivers.

• This marks a shift from autonomous ride-hailing to rental-based autonomous mobility, expanding real-world use cases.

• The service aligns with China’s national strategy to lead in autonomous driving and smart mobility innovation.

• Autonomous car rentals represent a key next step in scaling ADAS and L4 deployment across diverse travel scenarios.

2. Grab to trial driverless shuttle for staff between Media Circle office and one-north MRT station

• Grab has launched a six-month pilot of a driverless electric shuttle bus covering a 3.9km loop between its Media Circle office and the one-north MRT station in Singapore.

• The autonomous 22-seater, developed by South Korean firm Autonomous A2Z, is equipped with 11 sensors, including LiDAR, radar, and cameras, and underwent over 100 hours of route training.

• Although the bus operates autonomously, a trained safety operator is onboard as required by Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA).

• During demo trials, the shuttle performed lane changes and responded to real-world traffic conditions, although a minor glitch was observed at a stop line.

• The AV stops at all zebra crossings regardless of pedestrian presence, per LTA mandates for trials.

• When not in use for commuting, the shuttle is used for AV training and technology development to improve urban navigation capabilities.

• This pilot is part of a broader push by Singapore to integrate autonomous vehicles into its public transport, with larger deployments planned for Punggol in late 2025.

• Grab is also training human safety operators and expanding partnerships with AV tech firms, reinforcing its commitment to future autonomous mobility in Southeast Asia.

3. Innoviz Technologies Ships First InnovizTwo LiDAR Units from Fabrinet’s High-Volume Production Line

• Innoviz Technologies has shipped the first InnovizTwo LiDAR units from Fabrinet’s high-volume production line, marking a key milestone in its path to mass production.

• The production launch follows months of training and quality assurance at Fabrinet’s facilities, ensuring compliance with Innoviz’s stringent automotive-grade standards.

• InnovizTwo is the company’s next-generation high-performance LiDAR sensor, aimed at automotive OEMs and autonomous vehicle developers worldwide.

• The partnership with Fabrinet, which has manufacturing sites in both the U.S. and Asia, supports efficient, scalable, and cost-effective production for global customers.

• Innoviz emphasized that the initial shipment validates its readiness to meet growing demand with high-quality, mass-produced LiDAR units.

• As a Tier-1 supplier, Innoviz provides LiDAR and perception software that surpass human visual performance, boosting safety for autonomous driving applications.

• Innoviz’s technologies have already been selected by major global automotive brands and industrial customers for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and full autonomy.

• The company continues to expand its global reach with operations in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, aiming to accelerate the adoption of safe autonomous vehicles.

4. JD Logistics Unveils Autonomous VAN That Slashes Delivery Costs by 60%

• JD Logistics, the logistics arm of JD.com, has unveiled the JD Logistics VAN, an autonomous light-duty truck aimed at transforming last-mile delivery cost-efficiency.

• The VAN features Level 4 autonomous driving, meaning it can drive without human input under defined conditions such as warehousing and logistics zones.

• Designed for high-frequency logistics operations, the vehicle offers 24 cubic meters of cargo space and a range of up to 400 kilometers fully loaded.

• JD estimates the VAN can cut delivery costs by up to 60%, a major advantage amid rising fuel and labor expenses in the global supply chain.

• This rollout marks a shift from lab-based and demo-stage autonomy to real-world, commercial integration in logistics operations.

• JD’s strategy emphasizes deploying the VAN in controlled environments—like warehouses and cold-chain hubs—before scaling to public roads.

• The move aligns with global trends, as the autonomous freight sector is expected to exceed $600 billion by 2035.

• The JD Logistics VAN showcases how autonomous systems are being adapted to specific business use cases, accelerating the maturity and commercial viability of self-driving technologies.

5. WeRide Secures First Driverless Logistics Vehicle Test Permit in Guangzhou’s Huangpu District for Robovan W5

• WeRide has received its second autonomous road-testing permit in Guangzhou, becoming the first and only company authorized to operate autonomous logistics vehicles in Huangpu District.

• This new approval follows an earlier permit in Nansha District (April 2025), showing WeRide’s steady momentum toward large-scale commercialization of autonomous delivery.

• The permit aligns with a newly released strategic policy framework in Huangpu and Guangzhou Development District that supports autonomous technology deployment across logistics, ride-hailing, and sanitation.

• The Robovan W5, WeRide’s flagship autonomous delivery vehicle, is designed for urban, high-frequency logistics, offering a 5.5m³ cargo volume, 1,000kg payload, and 220km driving range.

• Its modular cargo system allows customizable layouts, supporting various delivery scenarios such as last-mile drop-offs and point-to-point transport.

• Equipped with Level 4 autonomy, the vehicle features redundant sensors, cloud connectivity, and real-time safety systems for year-round, all-weather operation.

• The Robovan W5 uses WeRide’s proprietary perception software and redundant drive-by-wire chassis, enhancing safety and operational reliability.

• As the global smart logistics market is expected to surpass $100 billion within three years and reach $784 billion by 2030, WeRide is positioning itself as a leader in autonomous logistics solutions.