In autonomous and self-driving vehicle news are Valens, Mobileye, Pony AI, Uber, WeRide, Hesai and Appollo Go.
Valens Semiconductor and Mobileye Partner to Advance Autonomous Vehicle Connectivity
Valens Semiconductor (NYSE: VLN) announced that its VA7000 MIPI A-PHY-compliant chipsets will serve as the connectivity backbone for Mobileye’s EyeQ™6 High automated and autonomous driving programs. This collaboration, involving global automotive brands, marks a significant milestone for MIPI A-PHY as a standardized high-speed connectivity solution for next-generation vehicles.
Mobileye selected Valens’ VA7000 chipset after extensive testing, citing its superior performance in delivering high-accuracy sensor data crucial for autonomous systems. Mobileye’s Executive VP of Engineering, Elchanan Rushinek, emphasized the role of Valens’ technology in supporting robust, efficient, and standardized connectivity for ADAS and autonomous driving platforms.
Valens CEO Gideon Ben-Zvi highlighted that the partnership validates the industry-wide adoption of MIPI A-PHY and reinforces Valens’ leadership in high-performance connectivity. As the first automotive industry standard for high-speed sensor and display connectivity, MIPI A-PHY is designed to meet ADAS requirements, ensuring low-latency, high-bandwidth data transfer for enhanced vehicle safety.
For more information, visit Mobileye and Valens Semiconductor.
Pony AI Luxembourg Permit
Pony AI Inc. (“Pony.ai” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: PONY), a global leader in achieving large-scale commercialization of autonomous mobility, announced it has received a permit from Luxembourg’s Ministry of Mobility and Public Works to begin Level 4 (L4) Robotaxi testing. This pivotal milestone comes as Pony.ai establishes its first dedicated European research and testing hub in Luxembourg, making it the first autonomous vehicle company to do so. Pony.ai’s current testing permits across China, the United States, South Korea and Luxembourg now enable it to move closer to building a world of safer, more efficient and accessible autonomous mobility.
Pony.ai’s autonomous vehicle testing will be conducted in partnership with Emile Weber, Luxembourg’s leading mobility solutions provider. The collaboration combines Pony.ai’s cutting-edge autonomous technology with Emile Weber’s extensive transportation expertise, spanning public and private transit, taxis, vehicle rentals, and tourism operations.
“Pony.ai is honored to be among the first companies awarded a permit for autonomous vehicle testing in Luxembourg,” said Dr. James Peng, Co-founder and CEO of Pony.ai. “The country offers an ideal environment for our European operations due to its central location, supportive regulatory framework, and commitment to innovation in mobility. Our partnership with Emile Weber provides valuable local expertise as we begin testing our technology in European conditions. We thank Luxembourg’s Ministry of Mobility and Public Works for their confidence in our technology, and look forward to a collaborative and productive partnership as we work to integrate autonomous solutions into Luxembourg’s future transportation ecosystem.”
Luxembourg’s Minister for Mobility and Public Works Yuriko Backes said: “The issuance of the testing permit marks an important milestone for the future of mobility. Autonomous driving is a major innovation that can transform our daily lives. The government is pleased to support companies like Pony.ai in their quest for new technologies and is committed to supporting initiatives that aim to make mobility safer and more efficient.”
Throughout 2024, Pony.ai has systematically built its European presence with a series of strategic developments. In March, Pony.ai signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to jointly explore the development of autonomous mobility solutions. In September, Pony.ai formally established its European division and hub in Luxembourg, now serving as the foundation for the Company’s R&D and testing initiatives in the region. In October, the Company entered a partnership with Emile Weber to research, develop, and pilot autonomous vehicles solutions in Luxembourg.
Uber and WeRide Partner with Dubai RTA to Advance Autonomous Mobility
Uber and WeRide have partnered with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) to introduce autonomous vehicles (AVs) on the Uber platform, marking a significant step toward Dubai’s goal of making 25% of all city trips autonomous by 2030. This collaboration will begin with WeRide as the initial AV technology partner.
The partnership will focus on pilot programs that integrate Uber’s ride-matching technology with WeRide’s self-driving capabilities, ensuring a seamless user experience. It will also explore data insights, safety protocols, and regulatory frameworks to support the expansion of autonomous mobility in Dubai.
Dubai is the latest addition to Uber’s global AV initiatives, following WeRide’s commercial launch of self-driving vehicles in Abu Dhabi in December 2024. WeRide also holds the UAE’s first national license for operating AVs on public roads, granted in July 2023.
This initiative reinforces Dubai’s commitment to smart city development and innovation in transportation, with further details on the AV pilot program expected in the coming months.
Hesai Powers WeRide’s Autonomous Vehicles on Uber Platform in Dubai’s Smart Mobility Push
Hesai Technology, a global leader in lidar solutions, has been selected by autonomous driving pioneer WeRide to equip its vehicles with long-range automotive-grade lidar systems. These autonomous vehicles will operate on Uber’s platform in Dubai, aligning with the city’s ambitious 2030 initiative to make 25% of all journeys autonomous. This partnership marks a major milestone for the Middle East’s autonomous transport sector.
Each vehicle will be fitted with four Hesai lidars, chosen for their reliability and safety. WeRide previously made history by receiving the UAE’s first national license for self-driving vehicles. The collaboration builds on a longstanding relationship between Hesai and WeRide, which began in 2019 and has already achieved success with commercial robotaxi services in China. This new deployment reflects a growing global push toward safe, scalable, and smart mobility solutions.
Hesai Lidar Powers Apollo Go’s Autonomous Expansion in Dubai
Hesai Technology, a global leader in lidar solutions, announced that its technology will support Apollo Go’s expansion into Dubai, advancing the adoption of Level 4 autonomous driving. This follows a 2024 agreement between Hesai and Baidu Apollo, with plans to deploy 1,000 RT6 robotaxis. Apollo Go has already demonstrated success in China, reducing costs by 60% and completing over 150 million kilometers of safe driving. Hesai’s lidar enhances safety and reliability in complex urban environments, reinforcing its role in global autonomous mobility advancements.