In autonomous and self-driving vehicle news are Boston Dynamics, Toyota, Tesla, WeRide, HL Robotics, TIER IV, Mapless AI and Waymo.
Toyota RI & Boston Dynamics Partner
Boston Dynamics and Toyota Research Institute (TRI) announced they will join forces, combining two of the world’s leaders in artificial intelligence and robotics. The research partnership aims to accelerate the development of general-purpose humanoid robots utilizing TRI’s Large Behavior Models and Boston Dynamics’ Atlas robot.
“There has never been a more exciting time for the robotics industry, and we look forward to working with TRI to accelerate the development of general-purpose humanoids,” said Robert Playter, CEO of Boston Dynamics. “This partnership is an example of two companies with a strong research-and-development foundation coming together to work on many complex challenges and build useful robots that solve real-world problems.”
“Recent advances in AI and machine learning hold tremendous potential for advancing physical intelligence,” said Gill Pratt, chief scientist for Toyota and CEO of TRI. “The opportunity to implement TRI’s state-of-the-art AI technology on Boston Dynamics’ hardware is game-changing for each of our organizations as we work to amplify people and improve quality of life.”
Boston Dynamics has a longstanding reputation for creating groundbreaking advances in humanoids, from extreme mobility to bimanual manipulation. The latest generation of Atlas is the result of years of hardware/software co-design aimed at building the most capable humanoid platform, both in terms of physical capability and software interfaces for authoring whole-body behaviors. This makes it an ideal platform for advancing the science of AI-based manipulation skills.
Concurrently, TRI is widely recognized as a world leader in the rapid advancement of Large Behavior Models (LBMs) for robotics. This includes groundbreaking work on diffusion policy, which pioneered the successful application of generative AI to advance dexterous manipulation capabilities in robotics. TRI has also played a leading role in the development of open-source robot AI models and datasets. Leveraging additional strength in computer vision and large-language model training, TRI’s work on LBMs aims to achieve multi-task, vision-and-language-conditioned foundation models for dexterous manipulation.
Scott Kuindersma, senior director of Robotics Research at Boston Dynamics, and Russ Tedrake, vice president of Robotics Research at Toyota Research Institute, will co-lead the Boston-based research partnership.
The project is designed to leverage the strengths and expertise of each partner equally. The physical capabilities of the new electric Atlas robot, coupled with the ability to programmatically command and teleoperate a broad range of whole-body bimanual manipulation behaviors, will allow research teams to deploy the robot across a range of tasks and collect data on its performance. This data will, in turn, be used to support the training of advanced LBMs, utilizing rigorous hardware and simulation evaluation to demonstrate that large, pre-trained models can enable the rapid acquisition of new robust, dexterous, whole-body skills.
The joint team will also conduct research to answer fundamental training questions for humanoid robots, the ability of research models to leverage whole-body sensing, and understanding human-robot interaction and safety/assurance cases to support these new capabilities.
NHTSA Investigates Tesala FSD
The NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has identified four Standing General Order (SGO) reports in which a Tesla vehicle experienced a crash after entering an area of reduced roadway visibility conditions with FSD -Beta or FSD -Supervised (collectively, FSD) engaged. In these crashes, the reduced roadway visibility arose from conditions such as sun glare, fog, or airborne dust. In one of the crashes, the Tesla vehicle fatally struck a pedestrian. One additional crash in these conditions involved a reported injury. The four SGO crash reports are listed at the end of this summary by SGO number.
ODI has opened a Preliminary Evaluation of FSD (a system labeled by Tesla as a partial driving automation system),which is optionally available in the Model Year (MY) 2016-2024 Models S and X, 2017-2024 Model 3, 2020-2024 Model Y, and 2023-2024 Cybertruck. This Preliminary Evaluation is opened to assess:
– The ability of FSD’s engineering controls to detect and respond appropriately to reduced roadway visibility conditions;
– Whether any other similar FSD crashes have occurred in reduced roadway visibility conditions and, if so, the contributing circumstances for those crashes; and
– Any updates or modifications from Tesla to the FSD system that may affect the performance of FSD in reduced roadway visibility conditions. In particular, this review will assess the timing, purpose, and capabilities of any such updates, as well as Tesla’s assessment of their safety impact.
SGO Report numbers: 13781-8004, 13781-7181, 13781-7381, 13781-7767. To review the SGO Reports prompting this investigation, go to NHTSA.gov. Models affect are the Model 3, Model S, Model Y, Model X and Cybertruck.
WeRide Shows Next Gen Robotaxi
WeRide, the leading global commercial-stage company developing autonomous driving technologies from Level 2 to Level 4, has officially unveiled its latest generation of Robotaxi – GXR, the world’s most spacious production Robotaxi model to date.
Leveraging WeRide’s extensive experience of over 1,800 days in public Robotaxi operations, GXR integrates WeRide’s self-developed L4-level autonomous driving hardwares and softwares, open-concept spacious designs, the new Sensor Suite 5.6, and the HPC 2.0 high-performance computing platform, easily handling peak traffic hours, mixed traffic conditions, and high-speed driving at night.
As a production Robotaxi model, WeRide GXR is equipped with a comprehensive redundancy system, including architecture, F-O steer-by-wire chassis, computing units, and braking systems, preventing single-point failures and ensuring passenger safety.
The new Sensor Suite 5.6 features an aerodynamic and compact design with over 20 sensors, including high-performance, low-cost LiDAR, high-definition high-dynamic cameras, and an RTK high-precision inertial navigation set, with 360° blind-spot-free perception and 200-meter front detection.
Spacious
WeRide GXR offers an impressive vehicle length of 5,018mm, an interior cabin height of 1,340mm, and a wheelbase of 3,100mm. It is the first to eliminate the front passenger seat, achieving the highest “space efficiency” in the Robotaxi industry.
Convenient
GXR introduces the world’s first hidden B-pillar design, allowing the front door and sliding side door to open simultaneously, reaching up to 1,831mm in width and 1,285mm in height, creating an expansive entryway for passengers. A carry-on luggage area is designated to accommodate at least one backpack and one 22-inch suitcase. Passengers can load the luggage and board the vehicle with a single door opening.
Safe
Safety is WeRide’s top priority. WeRide GXR’s cabin features soft-edged design to provide baby-level safety care. Each door has emergency exit signage, and the center console contains a stop button and a safety hammer for emergency needs.
WeRide Go App—Ride with Ease
Once GXR is open to the public, passengers can use the WeRide Go App to select the nearest pickup point and destination to start their GXR journey. GXR can easily accommodate solo business trips, family vacations and friend gatherings.
WeRide has maintained its leadership in the Robotaxi industry and expanded its footprint overseas, operating the largest Robotaxi fleet in the Middle East. WeRide GXR is the latest milestone in WeRide’s mission to enhance passenger experiences through its international operational expertise.
HL Robotics Acquires Stanley Robotics
HL Robotics, a subsidiary of HL Holdings established on September 6, signed an agreement to acquire “Stanley Robotics,” the world’s first company to commercialize outdoor valet parking robots. The acquisition is expected to be finalized before the end of the year and following the agreement from the authorities. HL Robotics’ swift action has garnered attention and is expected to capture a market worth USD 6.7 billion. The key is on “popularization,” the core is “autonomous driving technology,” the challenge is “global expansion,” and Stanley Robotics is an automated valet parking robot company that fulfills all these criteria. With this acquisition, HL Robotics aims to “take the lead in the global parking robot market” and spearhead the advancement of global autonomous parking robot technology, positioning it as a new growth engine for HL Group.
Stanley Robotics specializes in the commercialization of automated parking robots. After successfully commercializing parking robots in Lyon-Saint-Exupéry Airport in France in 2018, Stanley Robotics signed a parking robot subscription agreement with a Canadian finished vehicle logistics supply chain company, launching robotic automotive logistics compound management in September this year. This marks the first commercial model in North America featuring a comprehensive package, including maintenance services. Also, expectations for additional orders are high, with concentrated spots for vehicles, including railroad logistics companies and airports across North America and Europe, as potential customers. There is considerable excitement surrounding Stanley Robotics’ flagship product, “Stan.” Stan is an autonomous valet parking robot that navigates parking lots without time or space constraints, making it a key player in the commercialization of parking robots. This success has been enabled by the Fleet Management System(FMS). The FMS, which utilizes digital twin technology, not only monitors Stan but also provides real-time remote control from one central location. Market concerns about potential “power-off” issues have been addressed by Stan’s built-in “intelligent automatic charging function” as the solution.
The market for autonomous parking robots is wide open. Experts predict that the global market, which has been growing at double-digit rates annually, will reach USD 6.7 billion by 2030. This growth is driven by space shortages, population growth, and increasing urban density in major cities worldwide. These factors have led HL Group to invest in the global autonomous parking robot business. HL plans to expand its business portfolio beyond parking robots to include a broader range of robotic solutions aimed at everyday —
TIER IV Partners with Hitachi Astemo
TIER IV, the pioneering force behind Autoware*, the world’s first open-source software for autonomous driving, is excited to announce the launch of a joint initiative with Hitachi Astemo to advance autonomous driving systems and software-defined vehicles (SDVs). This collaboration, leveraging Autoware’s capabilities, builds on both companies’ engagement with the Autoware Foundation (AWF) and Scalable Open Architecture for Embedded Edge (SOAFEE) initiative. With their sights set on 2030, the companies are intensifying their efforts to deliver innovative solutions for mass production vehicle models.
Amid major shifts in the automotive industry, a new class of suppliers dubbed Tier 0.5 is emerging, offering value-added solutions that go beyond conventional Tier 1 models. Positioned as a Tier 0.5 supplier, Hitachi Astemo provides comprehensive system solutions that consider the entire vehicle’s architecture. In line with this goal, the company is developing a reference system (Internet of Vehicles Platform: IoV PF) for system development tailored to the needs of automakers. Hitachi Astemo is also pioneering a cloud-native software architecture that facilitates development and standardizes specifications on the cloud. These innovations will significantly enhance development efficiency, elevate product quality, reduce costs, and enable faster time-to-market. The architecture will integrate Autoware as the core autonomous driving software.
TIER IV has been actively collaborating with key members of AWF and SOAFEE to define industry-standard and expand the reach of the Open AD Kit, a comprehensive referential development kit for autonomous driving systems built on Autoware. Looking forward, TIER IV plans to enhance clound-native environments for the kit and support the development of autonomous driving systems based on the SOAFEE-compliant SDV architecture. This collaboration will leverage Hitachi Astemo’s reference system to accelerate the next-generation Open AD Kit project.
In addition to these efforts, TIER IV is accelerating the development of a large-scale, cooperative machine learning operations (MLOps) infrastructure and embedded edge AI models specifically designed for autonomous driving systems. With the launch of the Co-MLOps project in January 2024, TIER IV will spearhead the creation of a global framework that allows companies worldwide to collaborate and share data, accelerating advancements in machine learning and edge AI development. These capabilities will be integrated into the Open AD Kit and will also be aligned with Hitachi Astemo’s reference system.
Through this joint development with Hitachi Astemo, TIER IV is committed to driving the development of autonomous driving systems that add significant value to automakers’ mass production models, shaping the future landscape of the automotive industry.
*Autoware is a registered trademark of the Autoware Foundation.
Mapless AI for Aero Corp
-Mapless AI, a global innovator in remote tele-operations for consumer and commercial vehicles, and Aero Corporation, one of the largest North American franchisees of the Avis and Budget brands with more than 35 rental locations in 5 states with a fleet over 4,000, today announced a new partnership to pilot tele-operations with remote human operators on Aero’s rental fleet, initially focusing on its Electric Vehicles (EVs).
The partners will test tele-operating fleet management applications, such as off-rent vehicle shuttling and EV charging, with remote tele-operations for increased operational efficiencies and economies of scale. They will also test customer-facing applications, such as tele-operated curbside vehicle and passenger pick-up and drop-off, for increased customer satisfaction and incremental revenue services.
“We are excited to be the first major rental fleet owner to pilot and test tele-operations in the U.S.,” said Solomon Cramer, President of Aero Corporation. “We believe that safe, efficient tele-operations, specifically Mapless AI’s unique platform, has the potential to significantly improve our business and change the car rental industry in the long-term for the better.”
“We are honored to partner with Aero Corporation who has a history of leadership and innovation in the rental industry,” said Philipp Robbel, co-founder and CEO of Mapless AI. “Our goal is that a series of successful pilots will lead to the first true commercial deployments of tele-operations in the rental industry.”
Mapless AI’s tele-operations platform, already in active pilot initiatives at Pittsburgh International Airport and in Detroit, Michigan, leverages the co-founders’ experience leading safety and engineering teams for Autonomous Vehicle development at Uber, Apple and Aptiv. It is the first tele-operations platform to incorporate purpose-built active safety systems for commercial operation on public roads.
“Our unique advantage is a focus on passenger and vehicle safety-first,” said Jeffrey Kane Johnson, co-founder and CTO of Mapless AI. “We’ve patented our technology that allows tele-operated vehicles to operate safely, even during network interruptions. We’re excited to pilot and eventually deploy our platform in partnership with Aero Corporation.”
About Aero Corporation
Founded in 1968, Aero Corporation has grown to become one of the largest Avis and Budget franchisees in North America. With a fleet of over 4,000 vehicles and annual revenues exceeding $60 million, we proudly serve customers across Central and Western Pennsylvania, Central and Northern New Jersey, Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota.
Aero’s operations extend beyond car rental. As a franchisee of CarStar, we offer top-tier auto body repair services and, as a certified Tesla repair facility, we provide specialized care for electric vehicles.
Aero Corp is committed to innovation and sustainability, actively working with key partners to expand and electrify Avis and Budget locations within our geographic footprint. Our mission is to lead in both customer service and environmental responsibility, ensuring a bright future for our industry and communities.
About Mapless AI
Mapless AI is a Pittsburgh/Boston-based mobility company that develops ground-breaking, safety-first teleoperations technology to realize safe, efficient, and easily-accessible mobility for all. Powered by their patent-pending active safety technology, Mapless AI is delivering the first tele-operations solution to support driverless vehicle dispatching at scale and in real-world traffic conditions. Seamlessly integrated into existing fleet vehicles, their safe remote-driving solutions enable new use cases like instant rental car delivery and optimized EV fleet logistics. Mapless AI is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and leading venture investors.
Way Discount to Connect to BART
Waymo One riders that connect to select transit stations in San Francisco and the Peninsula will receive a $3.00 credit on their Waymo account for use on future rides. Credits will be applied to riders’ Waymo accounts when they take Waymo One to or from eligible Bay Area transit stations.