China NEV Market Still Hot-Hot-Hot
In S1-2024, 13.891 million vehicles were manufactured in China, up 4.9 per cent vs 2023. In the past month, 1.003 million NEVs were produced there, up 28.1 per cent year over year. Meanwhile, NEV sales reached 1.049 million units, up 30.1 per cent from a year ago and accounting for 41.1 per cent of the country’s total auto sales volume.
Alphabet Commits Another $5bn to Waymo
Waymo has confirmed a $5 billion investment from Alphabet (Google). Self-driving cars spark debate over the feasibility of achieving complete automation without any need for human control. Firms such as Motional, Cruise, Waymo, and Zoox have progressed in this field despite challenges including pedestrian safety concerns, fluctuating financial support, and public resistance.
Cruise Autonomous Business Update
Cruise has restarted services in major cities such as Houston, Phoenix, and Dallas, advancing their goal to improve city transport and lessen traffic issues using cutting-edge self-driving technology. To facilitate their expansion, Cruise has pivoted their future autonomous vehicle projects towards the Chevrolet Bolt, stepping away from the Origin to circumvent regulatory challenges of its novel design.
Hesai Leads Global Lidar Market in 2023
Hesai has topped the global automotive lidar market share rankings in 2023, as reported by Yole Group in their Lidar for Automotive 2024 analysis. The report mentions 762,000 lidar units have been installed in passenger cars in 2023. Predominantly supported by Chinese car manufacturers like Li Auto, Hesai captured 26 per cent of the market. Hesai delivered over 300,000 ADAS lidar units and recorded design wins across 18 automakers, reaching about 70 vehicle models by Q1 2024.
In the second quarter of 2024, RoboSense sold about 123,000 lidar units, with 118,300 being for automotive applications. In the first six months of this year, RoboSense has nearly matched their total sales volume for the entire year of 2023. As of June 30, 2024, the company’s cumulative lidar sales reached approximately 583,500 units, with automotive applications accounting for about 518,300 units. By May 17, 2024, RoboSense had secured mass-production orders for 71 vehicle models from 22 automakers and tier-1 suppliers
New Lidar Tech Advances L4 Autonomy
Innoviz has established a partnership with an automaker to improve L4 autonomous driving technology. Innoviz will be contributing their latest short-range lidar sensors to the automaker’s L4 self-driving platform. The aim of this venture is to achieve a production nomination within the next few months, which is pending an agreement on commercial terms.
LG Innotek in Car Sensor Push
LG Innotek is pushing to expand their vehicle sensing business into a $1.4bn operation by 2030. Their plan includes establishing a new lidar business, strengthening the vehicle camera module business, and positioning themselves as a vehicle sensing ‘total solution provider’. The company recently established a dedicated lidar division, directly overseen by the CEO.
Baidu Chooses Hesai for Robotaxi Equipment
Hesai has been selected by Baidu as the exclusive provider of long-range lidar for Baidu’s next generation robotaxi platform, the Yichi 06. Baidu plans to deploy 100,000 robotaxis in China, making this the first widespread application of robotaxis in the country. This deal is estimated to be worth $200m to $300m. Sixth-generation Apollo Go autonomous vehicles are 60 per cent cheaper than the previous generation, priced around $28,500. Hesai dominated the global robotaxi lidar market in 2023 with a 74-per-cent share.
LiangDao Funding Round Wraps Up
LiangDao Intelligence announced the completion of a new funding round, co-led by China Merchants Capital and E-Town Capital. The funds raised will be directed towards key lidar technologies, new perception functionalities, and data toolchain development, as well as 3D perception-based digital solutions for various applications. In Europe, LiangDao has a team of nearly 100 automotive engineers focused on the localization of intelligent driving functionalities.
July 26, lidar solution provider Hesai Technology on July 25 announced a partnership with SAIC General Motors (SAIC-GM) to supply AT series automotive-grade long-range lidar for the latter’s upcoming car models. Their respective cooperative car models will begin mass production from 2025. Since it began mass production and delivery in 2022, the AT128 achieved shipments over 350,000 units delivered by the first quarter of 2024.
July 26, WeRide officially submitted its IPO application to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), planning to be listed on NASDAQ. WeRide has developed a comprehensive business portfolio that includes autonomous taxis (Robotaxi), minibuses (Robobus), freight vehicles (Robovan), sanitation vehicles (Robosweeper), and advanced intelligent driving solutions.
LiangDao Intelligence partners with Japanese Tier-1 supplier for BEV data training
LiangDao Intelligence, has recently initiated a data collaboration with a leading Japanese Tier-1 supplier. The company will supply high-quality 4D time series data, integrating BEV ( Bird’s Eye View) vision and lidar point clouds, to enhance BEV perception algorithm training and development for their clients. The development of intelligent driving relies on the improvement of perception algorithms through effective data feedback and ample training data.
iMotion to AD Domain Controllers for European Luxury EV brand
Imotion has new deal to provide autonomous driving domain controllers to a European luxury electric vehicle brand. This marks a significant step after establishing their German subsidiary in 2023 and earning key certifications like ISO 26262, ISO 21434, and ASPICE CL2. The company has also developed localized driving algorithms tailored for EU roads, enhancing perception and decision-making systems to navigate local traffic conditions.
Plus AD Truck Firm in Development Pact with Jiefang Qingdao
Chinese autonomous truck developer Plus has signed a cooperation agreement with FAW Jiefang Qingdao Automobile to jointly define and develop a mass-produced gas-powered heavy-duty truck with factory-installed autonomous driving systems.
Arbe Robotics Picked by Automaker
Arbe Robotics has announced that one of the world’s top ten automakers has selected Arbe chipsets for developing imaging radar. Their radar technology offers high resolution details, making it essential for L2+ and higher autonomy.
