autonomous driving

Pony.ai and WeRide, autonomous driving tech firms already listed in the US, have received approval from China’s regulator for secondary listings on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX). Each plans to issue approximately 102 million new shares. This move aims to secure capital for global expansion into regions like the Middle East and Europe. Pony.ai CEO cites Hong Kong’s proximity to China as a key factor. Both companies are also expanding robotaxi operations, partnering with Uber in the US and operating in Chinese cities.

The NHTSA is investigating Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system after reports of safety defects. The investigation covers roughly 2.9 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD (Supervised) or FSD (Beta). At least 44 incidents involve Tesla drivers using FSD reporting the system caused traffic violations resulting in collisions. The agency will evaluate the clarity of warnings, driver reaction time, and FSD’s ability to respond to traffic signals. The probe comes as Tesla continues to develop and test its FSD technology, including Robotaxi services.

Chinese autonomous driving startup Momenta is reportedly seeking a new funding round at a potential $6 billion valuation. The company specializes in ADAS and autonomous driving software, recently partnering with Mercedes-Benz and BMW to integrate its technology into their electric vehicle models in China. Momenta differentiates itself with a “data-driven” approach and is backed by investors like Tencent and Mercedes-Benz. The company is reportedly considering a Hong Kong IPO amid a competitive market including Nvidia, WeRide and Pony.ai.

BYD, the Chinese EV manufacturer, has a contingency plan to address potential disruptions to its Nvidia chip supply, despite no current directive from the Chinese government to cease their use. According to Executive VP Stella Li, BYD’s vertical integration and strong in-house technology offer backup solutions, similar to how they navigated the Covid-19 semiconductor shortage. While Nvidia’s automotive chips are currently unaffected, a potential ban in China could significantly impact the autonomous driving ecosystem, prompting domestic chip development and posing challenges for automakers reliant on Nvidia.

Pony.ai is entering the Singaporean market in partnership with ComfortDelGro to launch autonomous vehicle (AV) services, initially in the Punggol district. This move aligns with Singapore’s smart mobility vision and aims to address driver shortages. The partnership builds on a previous MoU and a successful pilot program in Guangzhou. The Singaporean government supports AV integration, with plans to deploy AVs within public housing estates. Pony.ai currently operates driverless Robotaxi services in multiple Chinese cities and is expanding globally, including partnerships in Qatar and Luxembourg.

Qualcomm is expanding beyond smartphone chips into the automotive sector, showcased by its Snapdragon Ride Pilot system co-developed with BMW. The Level 2+ autonomous driving system, debuting in the BMW iX3, allows hands-free driving on certain roads. Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon anticipates significant interest from other automakers seeking to license the technology, heralding it as a potential “domino effect.” Qualcomm projects $8 billion in automotive revenue by 2029, driven by its comprehensive, integrated platform for autonomy and its strategic partnerships.

Huawei’s Richard Yu is challenging LiDAR skepticism with the new AITO M7, showcasing its ADS 4.0’s ability to navigate complex urban environments in Chongqing. The system utilizes a multi-sensor approach, including LiDAR, contrasting with Tesla’s camera-only strategy. Huawei claims the AITO M7 successfully navigated numerous challenges on the first attempt, attributing its capabilities to their intelligent driving technology and LiDAR. The debate revolves around the necessity of LiDAR for fully autonomous driving versus reliance on cameras. Widespread adoption depends on long-term performance and regulatory approval.

SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW) and Huawei are deepening their partnership to advance autonomous driving, smart cockpits, and intelligent manufacturing. The collaboration will integrate Huawei’s technologies, including ADS 4 autonomous driving and HarmonySpace 5 smart cockpit, into SGMW vehicles, starting with the Baojun Huajing S SUV. This also includes using Huawei’s technologies to upgrade SGMW’s proprietary technologies and its Intelligent Island Manufacturing System (I²MS).

Xpeng Motors showcased its “AI Changing the World” vision at the Chengdu Motor Show, presenting vehicles like the revamped P7, G7, X9, MONA M03, and the IRON humanoid robot. The exhibit highlighted Xpeng’s AI technologies, including its Turing AI system, custom chip, and fast charging solutions. First deliveries of the updated P7 coincided with the show. Driven by strong financial results and record deliveries, Xpeng is expanding its technology partnership with Volkswagen and accelerating its global presence, aiming to become a leading global AI automotive company.

A recent Chinese autonomous driving assist system test by Dongchedi, involving 36 vehicles, has sparked controversy and conspiracy theories. The test revealed limitations, even in Tesla’s systems, and polarized reactions. Some criticize the methodology, while others allege bias, suggesting a foreign-backed plot to undermine Chinese automakers and delay Level 3 standards. Skeptics dismiss these claims, viewing the test as highlighting real-world limitations. More balanced views see the controversy as a necessary step towards accurately representing autonomous driving capabilities and avoiding public misinformation.