Euro NCAP Publishes Assisted-Driving Rankings
Euro NCAP has released their latest gradings for assisted highway driving systems across five popular car models. The BMW i5 and Mercedes C-Class were rated as ‘Very Good,’ achieving top marks in assistance competence and safety backup. The VW ID.7 and Volvo EC40 received a ‘Good’ grade, while the BYD Atto 3 was deemed ‘Not Recommended’ due to poor safety performance.
BlueCruise 1.5 Introduces Automatic Lane Change
Ford has unveiled BlueCruise 1.5, featuring an Automatic Lane Change function. In 2023, around 77 per cent of BlueCruise trips in the U.S. were under 20 min. For longer trips, such as those over an hour, BlueCruise was used more than half the time.
Lane Departure Prevention Gains Driver Trust
A recent IIHS study shows that nearly 90 per cent of drivers keep lane departure warning systems on, reflecting trust in crash avoidance tech. Also, 70 per cent use visual speed alerts. Though lane departure systems haven’t cut crashes as much as forward collision warnings or automatic braking, their growing use shows potential. Automakers have improved designs to reduce past annoyances.
Xpeng P7+ Debuts at Paris Motor Show
Xpeng introduced their P7+ ‘AI-defined’ electric vehicle at the 2024 Paris Motor Show. The Chinese auto brand says they are committed to transforming mobility by incorporating ‘AI’ and autonomous technologies into their vehicles.
FAW Audi to Show New A5L at Auto Guangzhou with Huawei ADS 2.0
FAW Audi announced plans to introduce the new Audi A5 family to China, including the A5 and S5 sedan, and the A5 and S5 Avant wagons. Alongside these, FAW Audi will debut the new China-made A5L, a model tailored for the Chinese market.
The new A5L will feature a custom intelligent driving system co-developed with Huawei, built on the Huawei ADS 2.0 architecture with Audi-specific tuning.
US Users Growing Less Distrustful of Robotaxis Trust: J.D. Power
Consumers report high satisfaction with robotaxi rides, citing technology as a key factor, according to the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Robotaxi Experience Study. Although initially skeptical, riders show 56 per cent more confidence compared to non-riders. The study highlights safety, reliability, and trust as essential expectations for an ideal robotaxi service.
WeRide Unveils Spacious GXR Robotaxi
WeRide has introduced their GXR robotaxi, featuring capacious interior space and advanced L4 autonomous driving technology. Passenger convenience and safety are prioritized with a spacious open-concept interior and the new Sensor Suite 5.6 for 360-degree perception. It also includes the world’s first hidden B-pillar design, providing a wider entryway.
Wayve Expands to U.S. with Bay Area Testing
Wayve, a pioneer in ‘Embodied AI’ for the automotive industry, has expanded their U.S. presence with a new Silicon Valley office and the launch of an ADAS testing program in the San Francisco Bay Area. This move marks Wayve’s first on-road trials outside the UK, and supports the company’s mission to enhance driving assistance and automation on a global scale.
Pony, Emile Weber Sign MoU
Pony.ai Europe and Emile Weber have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote development and deployment of autonomous mobility solutions in Luxembourg. This partnership aims to advance autonomous vehicle technology within the country, enhancing Luxembourg’s position as a leader in innovative and sustainable transport. The agreement follows an earlier MoU between Pony and the Luxembourg Government, further underscoring the Grand Duchy’s commitment to pioneering mobility solutions.
Hyundai, Waymo Partner on Autonomous Ioniq 5
Hyundai and Waymo have partnered to integrate Waymo’s autonomous technology into Hyundai’s electric Ioniq 5. This collaboration aims to improve the safety and convenience of autonomous driving. The Ioniq 5 will join the Waymo One fleet, with testing starting in late 2025. These vehicles, assembled at Hyundai’s factory in the U.S. state of Georgia, will feature Waymo’s sixth-generation technology. Hyundai and Waymo plan to produce these vehicles in large volumes over several years to expand the Waymo One fleet.
Torc Robotics Gooses Autonomous Trucking with Successful Tests
Torc Robotics, a subsidiary of Daimler Truck, recently achieved successful validation tests of their autonomous trucks at full operating speeds (105 km/h) without a driver on a closed course. This phase of development is crucial as it transitions from prototype engineering to a production-ready solution, with a possible launch in 2027.
Tesla ‘We Robot’ Event: Promises, Glitz, and Not-Quite-Robots
Tesla held a ‘We Robot’-themed event, presented as a glimpse into the future of automation and self-driving technology. Tesla boss Elon Musk, having for many years promised a robotaxi “soon”, has shored up the promise by showing a mockup called the Cybercab. It has two upward-opening gullwing doors and looks like a coupe derivative of Tesla’s Model 3. We note that while 2-door taxicabs have been popular in developing countries (e.g., VW Beetle for decades in Mexico, now long gone from the roads), mature markets tend to heavily favor the practicality of 4-door models for taxicabs.
Musk claims the Cybercab will be built in “very large numbers” because he wants to “change the look of the road”—a brash aspiration which reminds a bit of Musk’s breezy scorn for “boring round” steering wheels, his justification for installing widely-panned yokes instead.
Musk says software for autonomous driving that does not require human intervention is to hit the roads in Texas and California next year in the current Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. Musk still wants to skate by with cameras and software and, more to the point, without the lidars and other non-camera technology virtually every expert considers indispensible for adequately performant machine vision and redundant safety.
NHTSA Scrutinizing Tesla Crashes Again
NHTSA has launched a Preliminary Evaluation into Tesla’s so-called ‘Full Self-Driving’ (FSD) system, after four crashes involving reduced visibility conditions like sun glare, fog, or dust. These incidents, which occurred with FSD engaged, included one fatal pedestrian collision and another that caused injuries. The investigation will assess FSD’s performance in these challenging environments.
ADAS Alerts Cause Most New-Car Problems
A J.D. Power study has found that ADAS accounts for 12.8 per cent of problems reported in new vehicles, with 24.9 issues per 100 vehicles. Vehicle alerts are a primary concern, as owners find them annoying. The study suggests educating consumers about ADAS to improve satisfaction and ensure these systems improve the driving experience without causing distractions.
