Industry News
AB Dynamics launches Soft Bicycle 360 ADAS target
AB Dynamics has launched the Soft Bicycle 360 ADAS target, which is 30% lighter than comparable targets and has been designed to reduce the potential for damage to vehicles under test.
The Soft Bicycle 360, designed by AB Dynamics subsidiary Dynamic Research Inc (DRI), features a single-piece frame architecture that removes the need for connectors, which can be prone to failure; and eliminates the need for time-consuming rebuilds after impact. It is manufactured from a thin rubberized material, with strategically placed internal reinforcement encased within the frame to provide the necessary stiffness.
The rider’s legs, arms and torso are made from hollow light material, all of which is wrapped in abrasion-resistant clothing for added durability.
Xpeng unveils P7+ AI-defined electric sedan
The world’s first AI-defined vehicle, the P7+, has been unveiled by Xpeng at the Paris Motor Show. The car uses artificial intelligence and advanced mobility solutions and has “a sense of time and space” gained through camera-based driving technology, the auto maker says.
The P7+ comes with features such as the ability to learn from individual users’ behaviors and preferences. This technology makes driving easier and enhances the smart driving experience, ensuring the car understands each user’s needs for a personalized journey.
Xpeng has integrated advanced AI technology across the chassis, powertrain, driving system and smart cockpit, along with the AI Hawkeye Visual Solution.
Mapless AI and Aero Corporation trial tele-operations for US car rental
A new partnership has been announced between Mapless AI and Aero Corporation to pilot tele-operations with remote human operators on Aero’s rental fleet, initially focusing on EVs.
Aero Corporation is one of the largest North American franchisees of the Avis and Budget brands, with more than 35 rental locations in five states with a fleet over 4,000 cars. The partners will test tele-operating fleet management applications, such as off-rent vehicle shuttling and EV charging, for increased efficiencies and economies of scale. They will also test customer-facing applications, such as tele-operated curbside vehicle and passenger pickup and drop-off, for increased customer satisfaction and incremental revenue services.
A2RL Season 2 announced, with upgraded autonomous race car
The second season of Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) has been announced, with race day set for April 26, 2025, at Yas Marina Circuit. The next season of the autonomous racing series will host four new international teams as well as an upgraded Super Formula Emirates Autonomous Vehicle (EAV24).
Like the first season, competitors will race for a share of the US$2.25m prize pool. The inaugural race took place in April 2024 featuring teams from the USA, Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, Italy, Singapore, China, and the UAE.
The four new teams for season two are: AiPEX Racing from the USA, Aladin Innovation from France, SEVRUS Japan (TGM Grand Prix) from Japan, and a team from the UAE’s Technology Innovation Institute (TII).
WeRide reveals GXR – the “world’s most spacious” production robotaxi
WeRide has officially unveiled the GXR, which it describes as “the world’s most spacious production robotaxi.” The new taxi has been developed 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, so the vehicle can easily handling peak traffic hours, mixed traffic conditions and high-speed driving at night.
As a production model, the 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 to ensure passenger safety.
Nvidia AI Summit discusses autonomous driving safety
The Nvidia AI Summit in Washington DC hosted a roster of industry experts who shared viewpoints on the AV safety landscape from regulatory and technology perspectives.
Danny Shapiro, VP of automotive at Nvidia, led the conversation with Mark Rosekind, former administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and Marco Pavone, director of AV research at Nvidia.
“Improving safety on our roads is critical,” Shapiro said, noting that Nvidia has been working for over two decades with the auto industry, including on ADAS and fully autonomous driving technology development.
Nvidia’s approach to AV development is centered on the integration of three computers: one for training the AI, one for simulation to test and validate the AI, and one in the vehicle to process data in real time to make safe decisions.
Tesla unveils fully autonomous Cybercab robotaxi
Tesla has finally revealed the Cybercab, a fully autonomous robotaxi that does not have a steering wheel or pedals. The company states that it will be available in 2026 with prices starting from £23,000 (US$30,000).
The long-gestating Cybercab was revealed to the public at Tesla’s ‘We, Robot’ event in California. Tesla also showcased the Robovan, an autonomous people carrier that can seat 20 people and carry cargo.
The Cybercab will be fully autonomous, with riders able to hail the vehicle through an app to drive them to their destination. The car deploys a suite of cameras and sensors to monitor its surroundings, and shares data with other Cybercabs.
Rohde & Schwarz and IMST unveil patented antenna digital twin solution
Rohde & Schwarz, in collaboration with IMST, has developed an antenna digital twin solution that offers reduction in cost and time for antenna suppliers and manufacturers by combining measurements and simulations.
The process is divided into three steps. The first involves the characterization of physical antennas using Rohde & Schwarz test equipment, including an anechoic chamber, an R&S ZNA vector network analyzer, and the R&S AMS32 software.
The second step focuses on the creation of a digital twin by involving the easy to use Near Field to Far Field Transformation Algorithm (FIAFTA). This is followed by a 3D EM simulation of a virtual scenario using EM-Twin software from IMST.