Robotics & Automation News

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Autonomous Vehicles

Contra Costa Transportation Authority and Beep to launch autonomous shuttle service

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Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) has launched its second Presto autonomous shuttle service, which increases transportation access for seniors with Beep, a provider of autonomous shared mobility solutions.

With this launch, residents of the active senior Rossmoor 55+ community can now take advantage of the free pilot shuttle program aimed at providing easy, stress- and emission-free transportation.

The shuttle will run on a pre-programmed loop Monday to Friday from 7 am to 5 pm with a trained attendant on board. [Read more…] about Contra Costa Transportation Authority and Beep to launch autonomous shuttle service

Vicinity Motor launches its first automated transit bus at Sleeping Bear national park

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Vicinity Motor, a North American supplier of commercial electric vehicles, has launched its first public deployment of a Vicinity Autonomous Lightning Electric Transit Bus in partnership with automated driving software platform provider ADASTEC at Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, beginning service on Wednesday, August 14th, 2024.

As announced by Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist at a launch event at the Michigan State Capitol Building yesterday, through a National Park Service Mobility Challenge Program grant, ADASTEC and Vicinity will deploy an automated, electric low-floor, accessible transit bus that will transport passengers along a 4.1-mile route on Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

The deployment – supported by federal funding – aims to study how the next generation of automated bus technology performs in an outdoor recreational setting. The vehicle will be available for public use and is free to riders with a 7-day, annual or lifetime NPS pass during its deployment period. [Read more…] about Vicinity Motor launches its first automated transit bus at Sleeping Bear national park

Atlas Energy to install Kodiak autonomous technology into high-capacity trucks

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Atlas Energy Solutions and Kodiak Robotics have entered into an agreement whereby Kodiak will outfit new Atlas high-capacity trucks with Kodiak’s autonomous driving technology.

The two companies have already completed their first driverless delivery of frac sand (a type of sand with small, uniform particles) in West Texas’s Permian Basin. The 21-mile delivery transported Atlas’s high-quality frac sand from an Atlas depot to a wellsite with no one inside the cab.

The companies also announced that Atlas has placed an order for Kodiak-equipped driverless trucks that will deliver frac sand across the Permian Basin’s existing infrastructure of private lease roads. [Read more…] about Atlas Energy to install Kodiak autonomous technology into high-capacity trucks

May Mobility passes milestone of 10,000 passengers with its autonomous vehicles

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May Mobility, a developer of autonomous driving technology, says that more than 10,000 riders have used its goMARTI autonomous vehicle service in Grand Rapids, Minnesota since its launch in September 2022.

Grand Rapids is a rural community known for extreme winter weather patterns and steep snow banks. This milestone demonstrates May Mobility’s ability to operate under challenging and diverse circumstances while becoming a trusted and vital resource for the community.

May Mobility, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), The PLUM Catalyst and the city of Grand Rapids partnered to deliver an accessible transportation option that augments existing transportation. [Read more…] about May Mobility passes milestone of 10,000 passengers with its autonomous vehicles

May Mobility and SouthWest Transit launch first autonomous transportation service in Minnesota

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May Mobility, a provider of autonomous driving technology, and SouthWest Transit, a transit agency serving SouthWest Twin Cities, are partnering to provide autonomous microtransit service in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

May Mobility’s autonomous vehicles (AVs) are scheduled to be integrated into SouthWest Transit’s transportation ecosystem in the fall of this year, providing the public with an additional on-demand option for reliable transportation.

Looking to enhance its existing microtransit service, SouthWest Prime, with an innovative transportation solution, SouthWest Transit has signed a three-year contract with May Mobility. [Read more…] about May Mobility and SouthWest Transit launch first autonomous transportation service in Minnesota

Waabi raises $200 million to launch fully driverless trucks in 2025

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Waabi, a company pioneering generative AI for autonomous trucks, has raised $200 million in an oversubscribed Series B round, led by Uber and Khosla Ventures. 

The funding round includes participation from best-in-class strategic investors Nvidia, Volvo Group Venture Capital, Porsche Automobil Holding, Scania Invest and Ingka Investments.

Additional financial investors include HarbourVest Partners, G2 Venture Partners, BDC Capital’s Thrive Venture Fund, Export Development Canada, Radical Ventures, Incharge Capital, and others. [Read more…] about Waabi raises $200 million to launch fully driverless trucks in 2025

Applied EV selects CISSOID technology to drive autonomous vehicle electric motors

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Applied EV, a developer of vehicle control system technologies for software-defined machines, has selected CISSOID’s new CXT-ICM3SA series of Silicon Carbide Inverter Control Modules (ICMs) to drive their latest generation of autonomous vehicle e-motors.

Dedicated to the E-mobility market, CISSOID’s software-powered SiC ICMs are augmented with onboard programmable hardware, accelerating the response time to critical events, off-loading the processor cores and enhancing functional safety.

The ICM is integrated into Applied EV’s Digital Backbone, a centralised control system combining state-of-the-art software and hardware, setting a new benchmark for safety rated vehicles. [Read more…] about Applied EV selects CISSOID technology to drive autonomous vehicle electric motors

May Mobility launches Detroit autonomous vehicle pilot

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May Mobility, a developer of autonomous vehicle (AV) technology, has launched its Detroit Automated Driving Systems (ADS) pilot in partnership with the City of Detroit’s Office of Mobility Innovation (OMI) and the Michigan Mobility Collaborative (MMC).

The “Accessibili-D” service aims to improve the quality of life for Detroiters who live with disabilities or are age 62 and older.

The service will be available to select residents of Detroit starting Thursday, June 20, 2024 through 2026. [Read more…] about May Mobility launches Detroit autonomous vehicle pilot

Autonomous e-Mobility Awards 2024: Qatar recognizes visionaries, innovators, and startups at prestigious ceremony

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The Autonomous e-Mobility (AEMOB) Forum 2024 concluded with presenting the AEMOB Awards, recognizing individuals and organisations that have demonstrated outstanding commitment, innovation, and leadership in moving the driverless e-mobility industry forward.

The accolades’ first category, the AEMOB Visionary Award, celebrates individuals who have exemplified exceptional leadership in their field. The recipient of the AEMOB Visionary Award was His Excellency Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, the Minister of Transport.

His unwavering dedication to advancing modern mobility has set a remarkable precedent for the industry and for the State of Qatar. Under his stewardship, the country’s public transportation has undergone a significant transformation, with over 70 percent of its fleet now electrified.

[Read more…] about Autonomous e-Mobility Awards 2024: Qatar recognizes visionaries, innovators, and startups at prestigious ceremony

Cyngn scales up commercialization of autonomous mobile robots

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Cyngn has revealed several commercial and technological accomplishments from the first quarter of 2024, including valuable progress with renowned brands like John Deere and Rivian, the expansion of its distribution network, and key collaborations aimed at advancing the company’s artificial intelligence and robotics technologies.

As Cyngn progresses through 2024, the company says it remains focused on scaling to capitalize on opportunities with major heavy manufacturing, automotive, and defense corporations.

Lior Tal, Cyngn’s chairman and CEO, says: “Q1 showcased our achievement to be chosen by a marquee customer like John Deere. Our product offering achieves immense validation from being selected by a world-leading brand like Deere. [Read more…] about Cyngn scales up commercialization of autonomous mobile robots