Mobility

The launch of three automotive connectivity trackers highlights the impact of the technology

Mercedes is pushing the autonomy envelope by being the first automaker to receive approval from a U.S. state for a Level 3 feature in the 2024 S-Class and EQS models as Nevada confirms compliance with state regulations.

AEye and PAVE partnered in November to conduct a Safer Mobility Survey to identify issues drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists are concerned about on the roads and in cities, and how technology and city planning might enable safer streets for us all.

Despite falling into a trough of disillusionment in 2022, the AV sector is still alive, and a number of autonomous vehicles already are cruising our roads and highways.  Internet veteran Brad Templeton created AutonoMap to show that autonomous vehicles are not something for the distant future, but are already operating in several places around the world.

Regulations in the Inflation Reduction Act have caused a hot debate among OEMs and suppliers around the globe, either excited by the benefits, or complaining about the requirements.  The fact that nearly all AVs will be EVs makes this debate of vital importance to tax credits that could help stimulate AV growth in the U.S. market.

Why the solar-assisted EV from Sono Motors, connected by Sibros, might be the right car at the right time.

How Commsignia could be poised to take advantage of new Government initiatives.

This AutoTech Check article describes the sensing, intelligence and reliability of the Ford F-150 Lightning’s ADAS features. Ford’s first battery-electric truck brings improved BlueCruise driver-assistance providing more confidence and trust in the system.

Ford and General Motors petition NHTSA for exemptions related to autonomous vehicles.  Both companies plan to test self-driving vehicles to be used as robotaxis without any driver controls.  Baidu asks regulators for similar permission in China.

See how automakers stack up in AV development, technology, partnerships, vertical integration and commercialization efforts.  Learn why the top companies received high grads and why the other OEMs need to catch up.

The automotive sector has a long way to go to achieve mass market demand for AVs, but according to recent surveys by AAA, Motional, Pew Research, Simon-Kucher, Zoox and others, consumer trust in AVs is improving, albeit slowly, as more people learn about, see or experience self-driving vehicles firsthand. 

Technological advances in both hardware and software components have increased their strategic value in automotive. Moving away from a purely mechanical industry, where the expertise and intellectual property of traditional OEMs reside, electronics and software are becoming key assets. Consistent with this, Wards Intelligence is observing an evident trend at various levels of the automotive supply chain: strategically increasing the value of goods developed in-house through vertical integration, hence increasing control and margins while also reducing costs.