Marc Kleinmaier

If anyone thought the #AV industry was in a slump, May came along and proved them wrong. Wayve raised a whopping $1 billion in funding to develop a self-learning software system for autonomous vehicles Gatik revealed the next phase on their journey to automate the middle mile, with a production + $30M investment deal with @Isuzu motors. Since then, It also announced a strategic partnership and investment from ITOCHU Corporation Hyundai Motor Company (현대자동차) reinforced its commitment to AV, investing $900 million in @Motional. Half of the funds went towards buying out Aptiv’s share. Waymo shared that its vehicles cover 50,000 autonomous miles every week. The UK finalized its autonomous Vehicle legislation, ushering in commercial AVs on public roads as early as 2026. Cruise is back to driving on public roads (with a safety driver) Renault Group places public transportation at the center of its AV policy. Together with WeRide it shuttled Roland-Garros spectators between the car park and the Paris tennis stadium. Shuttles, long haul and middle mile trucks, yard trucks, delivery robots, off-road tractors - AVs come in all forms and sizes. What’s common is that there are more and more commercial deployments that are driven by the need for efficiency and safety. DriveU.auto Doron Elinav Dor Tzabari #autonomousvehicles #teleoperation

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Great perspective below. Fast charging serves a specific need for highway applications. It is NOT a viable solution for how most of us use transportation. This is a GOOD thing. Specific trips to charge your vehicle is a “gas station” mentality when in reality, EVs offer a better solution. Charging while at home, at work and on the go means no specific trips to fill your car. And it can be done with cheaper and easier Level 2 electronics that save everyone money and reduce stress on EV batteries. Inductive Robotics is working on this future.

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Suggestion for TESLA Robotaxi: Concept 2.1 "forsix" in the size of a "fortwo" of Project ev-motion.com Specs: 1) Easy and instant access for all six passengers at the same time. 2) Seats move forward when entering and exiting. All with 3 point anchor seat belts. 3) Vehicle with incredible mobility, spins around its own vertical axle. 4) 24/7 operation with patented instant-swappable batteries on future "ARIES" stations. 5) Rear passengers could watch where they're going, on the screens mounted at the back of the visors, including with itinerary on Googlemaps. 6) Could be run in platoons of two or more vehicles interconnected by sensors. and have all their batteries swapped instantly on linear "ARIES" stations illustrated on my posts. 7) Ideal vehicle to use the new Sodium (Na-Ion) batteries. 8) Rear passengers will enjoy 180 degrees panoramic view from patented twin camera system (item #91) 9) It is a modular construction concept vehicle. Semi assembled, could easily fit a couple of dozen units inside a maritime container, shipped anywhere in the world in conventional ships, and put together at the destination. This would avoid unnecessary assembly lines, delays and expenses with garage ships and dedicated highway trailers. 10) If you go 10 posts below, you'll find another application for the concept "forsix" as a solution for the global "last mile transit" units, single or in platoons.

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As the US continues to wrestle with if — and how — to move forward with autonomous vehicles, we’ll soon just have to look over the pond to see how using this technology plays out. The UK has just passed legislation that will allow self-driving cars on the roads within two years. The UK is keen on becoming a world leader in this space and often tours the safety potential that comes with removing human error from driving. We know this to be true, but that there are still some kinks in the system to work out. It’s not quite flawless yet. The UK could very well lay out an AV roadmap for the US, and other countries, to follow. https://lnkd.in/e2M2gvZW #autonomousvehicles #AV #selfdrivingcars #AVUK #selfdrivingcarsUK

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Tesla slashing its Supercharger business is a massive momentum swing for the real estate industry's tug-of-war with the gas station industry. Tesla's Supercharger network suffered from a "functional fixedness" for the old way of doing things -- the gas station mindset. Gas stations are something you go to. They are something out in the world, along the way. It's a stop. Today, 80% of EV charging happens at home. Why not!? It's more convenient. Passive charging is the future, and it's an opportunity for the real estate industry to literally become the gas station industry for personal vehicles. For the charging that does not happen at home + fleet charging, Tesla's exit leaves space for non-Tesla developments...another real estate opportunity. #EVs

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Even amid investigations and some hesitancy around robotaxis, Amazon’s Zoox is driving its autonomous cars forward — and will begin testing in two more major cities: Austin and Miami. This demonstrates the persistence of Zoox and a similar strategy we’re seeing across this space: continue safeguarded testing and collect invaluable information in real time. The design of the vehicles alone underscore this determination. The cars don’t have steering wheels or pedals. For now, the robotaxis will operate with human safety drivers. Miami and Austin present unique challenges in that they’re dense urban areas, but also offer up vast potential, given that they’re popular tourist destinations and travelers could eventually especially benefit from robotaxis. When will that become a reality though? Still no word on that. The company has acknowledged that it’s still very much in its research phase and “here to learn.” https://lnkd.in/eXWvaiFs #zoox #robotaxis #selfdrivingcars #AV #autonomousvehicles #miami #austin #amazonrobotaxis

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Registrations of Tesla vehicles in California fell about 8% in the first quarter of 2024 for the second consecutive three-month period, according to data from the California New Car Dealers Association. The data showed about 50,000 new Tesla vehicles were registered in the state, one of the most important markets for the Elon Musk-led EV maker, in the quarter ended March 31. Globally, Tesla's quarterly deliveries fell for the first time in nearly four years as price cuts and incentives proved insufficient in drumming up demand. Still, the company's Model Y crossover was the best selling new vehicle in California, the report said. It added that the Model 3 compact sedan and Model X premium SUV were among the top three best-selling battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Read more on Reuters: https://lnkd.in/d9yB8rre

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It's Your Data, its Your Network...What is your data telling you? Freewave insights delivers visualization and alerts where and when you need them. #freewave #iiot #remotemonitoring #oilandgas #smartag #utilities

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Rivian just announced they're opening their charging stations (Rivian Adventure Network) to all electric vehicles, not just their own. This means you'll soon be able to charge your electric car, regardless of the brand, at Rivian stations. They're even designing new chargers with different plugs to fit more vehicles. Rivian is also looking to expand their network significantly, aiming for over 3,500 chargers across the US! This could make road trips with your electric car a lot easier. What do you think? Is this a good move for Rivian and the EV industry in general? #Rivian #ElectricVehicles #EVs #ChargingNetwork

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Tesla lays off their entire #supercharger team, which is horrible for #EVcharging & anyone hoping to use their #NACS plug. 🤦‍♂️ Senior director Rebecca Tinucci and her entire #EVcharger team were laid off! She deserves a medal 🥇, not severance, after converting North America to the Tesla plug. She all but handed them energy dominance for EVs for the next decade. As an owner, I can say that many of their chargers sit idle and unused outside big cities, but that doesn’t mean you cut the whole team. What does this mean for their energy strategy? https://lnkd.in/g2DFyzcm

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My first time using the new v4 Tesla Supercharger stations. • longer cords • faster charging • built-in adapter (works with non-Tesla EVs) And a new aesthetic, which I find both sleeker and more prominent (maybe because they are taller). What’s interesting to me: these new units seem to be going out for more rural installations. I wonder if it’s because new builds get priorities over retrofits? #EVs #electrification #superchargers

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Since the inception of Zoox, we've taken a different approach to autonomous ride-hail. It's a pleasure to talk to someone like Edward Ludlow who understands both the benefits of building a new type of vehicle and the time it takes to do it right. Thank you, Ed, for the great conversation. You can watch it below and read the article about his 5-mile autonomous ride with Jesse here: https://lnkd.in/gaj7ka-4. 💚 #ThisIsZoox

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Lucid Motors delivered 1967 cars in Q1 - RECORD DELIVERIES? Previous delivery record of 1,932 units in Q4 2022. YES 2022, over a year ago. So much for scaling your business, despite recent headwinds in the BEV segment. Rivian has done it. WOW....this doesn't sound like much progress. "The automaker said it remains on track to produce approximately 9,000 BEVs in 2024. For comparison, Lucid Motors built 8,428 EVs in 2023." Cash burn remains massive. We have seen ONE on the road in the Greater Toronto Area. We live in an area where are Tesla's everywhere. Three "studios" in Canada....Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal. Time to rethink the distribution network (dealers). Introducing the Gravity SUV by end of 2024 (bet ya not), Lucid claims it will be the BEST SUV in the industry. They made the same claim about the AIR sedan. FYI....they have cars AVAILABLE NOW on their website. The following quote from Peter Rawlinson...be VERY thankful for the deep pockets of the Saudi PIF. "I believe there are two factors that set Lucid apart – our superior, in-house technology and the partnership with the PIF. Our sales momentum is building, our focus upon cost remains relentless, and we believe Gravity is on track to become the best SUV in the world." Sales momentum building.....best SUV in the world?? Rivian, Mercedes-Benz AG, BMW Group, Lexus, Land Rover, Porsche AG #automotive #automotiveindustry #sales #innovation #ecommerce #branding #ai #ev #electricvehicles #technology #business #leadership #disruptor

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SEMA is deeply disappointed that California's Senate Bill (SB) 301, legislation aimed at incentivizing the conversion of gas- and diesel-powered cars into zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs), was vetoed by California Governor Gavin Newsom. Despite being lauded as a "job creator" by the California Chamber of Commerce and receiving unanimous support from lawmakers, the bill faced a veto at the governor's desk. This program would have provided rebates of up to $4,000 to California residents undertaking the conversion of eligible used vehicles, with stringent guidelines ensuring compliance with safety, range and affordability criteria. Authored by California Senator Anthony Portantino, SB 301 sought to establish the groundbreaking Zero-Emission Aftermarket Conversion Project (ZACP) under the California Air Resources Board (CARB). This missed opportunity is glaring, especially as California boasts several programs promoting new ZEV purchases but lacks support for ZEV conversions of existing gas-powered vehicles. This setback hinders the rollout of a program that bolsters cleaner air, reduces carbon emissions and fuels job growth and economic prosperity statewide. California's reputation as an innovation hub rings hollow with this veto. SB 301 was poised to be a catalyst for progress. With more than 149,000 jobs and a significant $40-billion economic impact, the specialty automotive aftermarket stands as a vital contributor to California's economy. This bill represented a chance to supercharge the industry, aligning seamlessly with the governor's stated priority of advancing cleaner vehicles. "SEMA is profoundly disappointed by Governor Newsom's lack of foresight in vetoing SB 301," said Mike Spagnola, SEMA's president and CEO. "This legislation would have advanced environmental sustainability and leveled the playing field for aftermarket conversions while fostering innovation, supporting small businesses, and providing consumers with affordable and sustainable transportation options." SEMA remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for policies that promote innovation and sustainability within the automotive industry. While SB 301 may not have secured the Governor's signature this time, SEMA will continue collaborating with lawmakers, stakeholders and the community to advance initiatives that drive innovation. https://lnkd.in/gkZB-RjM #California #SB301 #Automotive #SEV #SEMA

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The EV slowdown in pass car is just a hiccup, the transition is inevitable, and commercial EVs are being adopted well ahead of projections. There is now no real technological or cost barrier to Scope 3 reductions.... https://lnkd.in/emM8twCU

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We are honored to create #JensenAI the CINEMATIC avatar of Jensen Huang, NVIDIA founder and CEO. CEO's Avatars are capable of creating daily messages in any language, attending meetings, and summarizing them. CEO's Avatars are becoming the new platform for speaking to all of their employees, customers, and investors. Hour One's video cloud infrastructure is capable of parallelizing Gen-AI inference and 3D video rendering, incorporating multi-cloud, GPU micro-orchestration, and adaptive GPU autoscaling technologies. At Hour One, we rely on NVIDIA's powerful technology at every stage of our operations. From data processing and model training to video rendering and encoding, leveraging the NVIDIA AI platform, which includes NVIDIA H100 and A100 Tensor Core GPUs, along with CUDA, Container Toolkit, and Video Codec SDK, we deliver high-quality, scalable solutions to our clients. #COMPUTEX2024 #ElevenLabs #NVIDIATaiwan #AISummit #NotYou #AIAvatar

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Once again, Tom Voelk (who is not me) was gracious enough to include me in a Driven Car Reports video. This time we're talking about the Super Cruise hands-free driving capability in the Chevy Silverado #EV RST. (NOTE: My review of the Chevrolet Equinox EV drops tomorrow on Green Car Reports.) #electricvehicles #electriccars #gm #supercruise #autoindustry #automotive https://lnkd.in/eKDXW7eM

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