Toyoda Gosei Invests in IMUZAK Inc., a Startup Specializing in Optics

KIYOSU, Japan–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. has invested in IMUZAK Inc., a startup located in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, with strengths in optical design and assessment, to accelerate its development of interior and exterior modules for the age of autonomous driving. The evolution of autonomous driving technology is expected to increase the need for parts equipped… Continue reading Toyoda Gosei Invests in IMUZAK Inc., a Startup Specializing in Optics

Quanergy Achieves Compliance with Important Automotive Standards

SUNNYVALE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Quanergy Systems, Inc., a leading provider of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors and smart sensing solutions, today announced that, based on certification body audits, it has reached compliance with the automotive standard IATF 16949:2016 and the required automotive core tools and product standards. With this compliance, Quanergy has shown its readiness to… Continue reading Quanergy Achieves Compliance with Important Automotive Standards

Innovations for a Clean Mobility Mix

In the world of powertrain systems, variety is the watchword: Continental supports unlimited clean mobility for every car driver and every individual user profile World’s first ring catalyst turbocharger further boosts engine efficiency in hybrids In harness with EMICAT electrical heating technology the ring catalyst turbocharger realizes emission robustness while simultaneously reducing the carbon footprint… Continue reading Innovations for a Clean Mobility Mix

Bird’s-AI View: Harnessing Drones to Improve Traffic Flow

Traffic. It’s one of the most commonly cited frustrations across the globe. It consumed nearly 180 hours of productive time for the average U.K. driver last year. German drivers lost an average of 120 hours. U.S. drivers lost nearly 100 hours. Because time is too precious to waste, RCE Systems — a Brno, Czech Republic-based… Continue reading Bird’s-AI View: Harnessing Drones to Improve Traffic Flow

Revolutionizing ADAS with Forward-looking Lidar

May 14, 2019 Lidar can strengthen advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) by providing another set of perception data that provides real-time free space detection in all light conditions. In part 3 of a 3-part article series in SAE Mobilus, Velodyne Lidar experts Dr. Mircea Gradu, Senior Vice President of Quality and Validation, and David Heeren, Senior… Continue reading Revolutionizing ADAS with Forward-looking Lidar

Leading Global Automotive Supplier Aisin Invests in AEye through Pegasus Tech Ventures

“AEye is a breakthrough automotive technology startup with a world-class management and technical team. Their AI-based perception solution, iDAR, is a superior technology, rendering the other LiDAR approaches obsolete and creating what we believe is a new standard for ADAS and autonomous solutions in the Japanese market and beyond.”

Pleasanton, CA – May 14, 2019 – AEye, a world leader in artificial perception systems and the developer of iDAR™, today announced a strategic investment from Japanese components and systems manufacturer Aisin through their corporate venture capital fund managed by Pegasus Tech Ventures. Aisin is ranked the sixth largest Tier 1 OEM parts supplier globally, and a premier developer of information and communications technology and electronics for the automotive market. Aisin’s investment paves the way for collaboration and expansion as the companies scale to meet the demands of OEMs deploying ADAS and mobility solutions.

“AEye is a breakthrough automotive technology startup with a world-class management and technical team,” said Anis Uzzaman, General Partner & CEO at Pegasus Tech Ventures. “Their AI-based perception solution, iDAR, is a superior technology, rendering the other LiDAR approaches obsolete and creating what we believe is a new standard for ADAS and autonomous solutions in the Japanese market and beyond.”

“We are delighted that Aisin and Pegasus Tech Ventures have joined as partners and as investors,” said Blair LaCorte, president of AEye. “The addition of Aisin as an investor, makes AEye uniquely positioned as the only LiDAR company to have both multiple OEMs and multiple Tier 1s as investors. This validation from automotive companies that are seeking to deploy solutions in the mobility and ADAS markets is a great honor and responsibility.”

Pegasus Tech Ventures, as the manager of Aisin’s corporate venture capital fund, has its global headquarters in Silicon Valley and invests in promising technology companies that align with Aisin’s mission to respond swiftly to the increasingly sophisticated and diverse needs of OEM customers with best-in-class products.

AEye’s iDAR combines software extensibility, artificial intelligence and smart, agile sensors to deliver intelligent data collection at the sensor level. The company’s AE110 product features the industry’s only software-definable LiDAR, creating an open platform for perception innovation that lets software engineers optimize data collection to best meet their needs. The AE200 system is designed to address the needs of modular, high-performance sensors, and is optimized for size, weight, power, and cost. Both will be available commercially during the second half of this year.

About AEye
AEye is an artificial perception pioneer and creator of iDAR™, a perception system that acts as the eyes and visual cortex of autonomous vehicles. Since its demonstration of its solid-state LiDAR scanner in 2013, AEye has pioneered breakthroughs in intelligent sensing. The company is based in the San Francisco Bay Area, and backed by world-renowned investors including Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Taiwania Capital, Hella Ventures, LG Electronics, Subaru-SBI, Aisin/Pegasus Tech Ventures, Intel Capital, Airbus Ventures, and others.

About Pegasus Tech Ventures
Pegasus Tech Ventures is a global venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley. Pegasus manages over 20 parallel investment funds for its corporate limited partners, which include some of the largest multinational technology companies. With eight offices around the world, Pegasus invests in emerging technology companies of strategic interest to its limited partners and facilitates connections between its portfolio companies and its global corporate partners to accelerate the growth and competitiveness of both portfolio companies and corporate partners.

Media Contact:

AEye, Inc.
Jennifer Deitsch
[email protected]

925-400-4366

Media Contact:

AEye, Inc.
Jennifer Deitsch
[email protected]

925-400-4366

Leading Global Automotive Supplier Aisin Invests in AEye through Pegasus Tech Ventures — AEye’s iDAR Shatters Both Range and Scan Rate Performance Records for Automotive Grade LiDARLG Electronics and AEye Announce Strategic Partnership to Address Sensing and Perception Needs of ADAS MarketDeconstructing Two Conventional LiDAR MetricsAEye’s $40M Series B Includes Numerous Automotive Leaders Including Subaru, Hella, LG, and SKThe Future of Autonomous Vehicles: Part I – Think Like a Robot, Perceive Like a HumanHella and AEye Extend Strategic Partnership to Deliver Sensing and Perception Solutions for ADAS and Autonomous DrivingBlair LaCorte Named President of AEyeAEye Introduces Advanced Mobility Product for the Autonomous Vehicle MarketAEye Announces Industry Leading Family of Perception Sensors for ADAS SolutionsAEye Extends Patent Portfolio, Creating Industry’s Most Comprehensive Library of Solid-State Lidar Intellectual Property

AEye Expands Business Development and Customer Success Team to Support Growing Network of Global Partners and Customers

“I am very excited to join such an experienced and focused team. There is real value in leveraging the unique software-definable features of the iDAR platform to markets that require intelligent robotic vision, and I look forward to leading that charge.”

Pleasanton, CA – May 14, 2019 – Artificial perception pioneer AEye today announced the expansion of its business development team to address the global market opportunity AEye’s iDAR™ system. The company has hired BD directors in the Americas, Europe, and Japan to support the growing network of AEye automotive partners and customers worldwide. In addition, AEye announced that former Quanergy executive Akram Benmbarek has joined AEye as VP of strategic initiatives.

Meeting Global Market Demand
AEye’s new global team of BD directors will provide in-region, full lifecycle support for the company’s OEM and tier 1 partners deploying ADAS and autonomous vehicle systems in the U.S., Europe and Asia.

In the Americas, AEye has hired Ashika Schroll. Previously the senior manager of technology and business development for automotive programs at Flex (formerly Flextronics), Ashika worked with automotive OEMs, startups and Tier 1s to enable autonomous, connectivity, electrification and smart technologies. She holds a BS in Electrical Engineering and an MBA from Northwestern.

Peter Szelei will oversee AEye’s European business from Berlin. Previously, he managed business development, as well as led the global automotive business team at navigation solution provider NNG, where he worked closely with OEMs and Tier 1s to create best-in-class solutions. He holds a masters in Management and Entrepreneurship, as well as Management and Leadership.

In Asia, Itohru Iwama will be focused on Japan. He comes to AEye from Denso, where he was a business development manager. Iwama is a veteran tech and automotive executive with 20+ years of product/project management experience in automotive, electronics and software. He holds a BA in Foreign Studies and an MS in Management, and is fluent in Japanese, Chinese, German and English.

“Our unique opportunity to define the market has attracted an exceptional group of professionals who know the automotive industry, are excited about the technology, and have a proven track-record in helping Tier 1s and OEMs integrate leading-edge technologies into their products,” said Jim Robnett, AEye’s VP of automotive business development.

Extending into New Markets
In response to market demand and to facilitate commercialization of AEye’s iDAR technology into markets beyond automotive, AEye also announced today that former Quanergy executive Akram Benmbarek has joined the executive team as VP of strategic initiatives. Benmbarek is responsible for responding to growing demand for AEye’s iDAR platform in industries ranging from transportation automation to industrial automation, IoT and mapping.

Benmbarek comes to AEye from Quanergy, where he was charged with growing the company’s application of LiDAR across non-automotive verticals, including robotics, IoT smart spaces and security. Prior to Quanergy, Akram spent 16 years in Silicon Valley as both an entrepreneur and investment banker. He has a BA in Applied Economics, and an MBA from USC.

“I am very excited to join such an experienced and focused team,” said Benmbarek. “There is real value in leveraging the unique software definable features of the iDAR platform to markets that require intelligent robotic vision, and I look forward to leading that charge.”

“While our near-term priorities are automotive ADAS and mobility, we have seen increasing interest in our iDAR platform from other industries and markets,” said Luis Dussan, co-founder and CEO of AEye. “Akram has deep experience commercializing LiDAR technology across different verticals, and he’ll be a great asset as he helps AEye’s customers do the same.”

2019 Sees Continued Success for AEye
AEye’s iDAR Artificial Perception platform combines software extensibility, artificial intelligence and smart, agile sensors to deliver intelligent data collection at the sensor level. The company’s AE110 product features the industry’s only software-definable LiDAR, creating an open platform for perception innovation that allows software engineers to optimize data collection to best meet their needs. The AE200 system is designed to address the needs of modular, high-performance sensors, and is optimized for size, weight, power and cost. Both will be available commercially during the second half of this year.

AEye and iDAR have been increasingly recognized by technology, automotive and other industry organizations. In 2019 alone, AEye has been honored as “Best Up-and-Coming Company” by Image Sensors, “Outstanding Innovation in LiDAR” by ILMF and LiDAR Magazine, “Innovation Award for AI and Machine Learning” by SXSW and “ACES” award for Autonomy and Sensing by Autonomous Vehicle Technology. In addition, AEye was named to CB Insights AI 100 list as well as their Top Startups Revolutionizing Auto with AI for 2019.

About AEye
AEye is an artificial perception pioneer and creator of iDAR™, a perception system that acts as the eyes and visual cortex of autonomous vehicles. Since its demonstration of its solid-state LiDAR scanner in 2013, AEye has pioneered breakthroughs in intelligent sensing. The company is based in the San Francisco Bay Area, and backed by world-renowned investors including Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Taiwania Capital, Hella Ventures, LG Electronics, Subaru-SBI, Aisin/Pegasus Tech Ventures, Intel Capital, Airbus Ventures, and others.

Media Contact:

AEye, Inc.
Jennifer Deitsch
[email protected]

925-400-4366

AEye Expands Business Development and Customer Success Team to Support Growing Network of Global Partners and Customers — AEye’s iDAR Shatters Both Range and Scan Rate Performance Records for Automotive Grade LiDARLeading Global Automotive Supplier Aisin Invests in AEye through Pegasus Tech VenturesAEye Extends Patent Portfolio, Creating Industry’s Most Comprehensive Library of Solid-State Lidar Intellectual PropertyBlair LaCorte Named President of AEyeAEye’s $40M Series B Includes Numerous Automotive Leaders Including Subaru, Hella, LG, and SKLG Electronics and AEye Announce Strategic Partnership to Address Sensing and Perception Needs of ADAS MarketAEye Adds VP of AI and Software to Executive TeamHella and AEye Extend Strategic Partnership to Deliver Sensing and Perception Solutions for ADAS and Autonomous DrivingThe Future of Autonomous Vehicles: Part II – Blind Technology without Compassion Is RuthlessThe Future of Autonomous Vehicles: Part I – Think Like a Robot, Perceive Like a Human

Grammer AG with a successful first quarter despite challenging conditions in the automotive industry

14. Mai 2019
Grammer AG startet im schwierigen Automobilumfeld erfolgreich ins erste Quartal -Umsatzanstieg um 17,5 Prozent auf 534,1 Millionen Euro
-EBIT wächst auf 24,0 Millionen Euro
-Positive Entwicklung vor allem im Segment Commercial Vehicles und durch TMD Akquisition im Automotive-Segment
-Neubesetzung des Vorstands abgeschlossen: Berufung von Thorsten Seehars als CEO und Jurate Keblyte als CFO
-Weiterhin herausforderndes Marktumfeld für das laufende Geschäftsjahr erwartet
Amberg, 14. Mai 2019 – Die Grammer AG ist in einem weiterhin schwierigen Automobilumfeld erfolgreich in das neue Geschäftsjahr gestartet. Im ersten Quartal 2019 konnte der Konzern sowohl seine Umsatzerlöse als auch das operative Ergebnis verbessern. Der Umsatz stieg um 17,5 Prozent auf 534,1 Millionen Euro (Vj. 454,4). Diese erfreuliche Entwicklung war im Wesentlichen auf die im Oktober 2018 erfolgreich durchgeführte Akquisition der TMD Toledo Molding & Die, Inc. im Bereich Automotive und das hohe Wachstum des Segments Commercial Vehicles in allen Kernmärkten zurückzuführen. Weiterhin prägten auch die anhaltend herausfordernden Rahmenbedingungen in der Automobilbranche und die damit verbundene allgemeine Absatzschwäche der Pkw-Hersteller vor allem in Europa das erste Quartal 2019. Das Konzernergebnis vor Zinsen und Steuern (EBIT) stieg um 17,6 Prozent auf 24,0 Millionen Euro (Vj. 20,4). Die EBIT-Rendite blieb mit 4,5 Prozent auf Vorjahresniveau (Vj. 4,5).
Bereinigt um die Währungs- und Sondereffekte lag das operative EBIT mit 23,0 Millionen Euro ebenfalls über dem Vergleichswert des Vorjahres in Höhe von 20,5 Millionen Euro, mit einer nahezu gleich gebliebenen operativen EBIT-Rendite in Höhe von 4,3 Prozent (Vj. 4,5). Das Konzernergebnis nach Steuern lag mit 11,6 Millionen Euro nur leicht unter dem Vorjahreswert von 12,2 Millionen Euro.

Region Americas verzeichnet stärkstes Umsatzwachstum
In den ersten drei Monaten 2019 hat Grammer den Umsatz in den USA und Mexiko mehr als verdoppelt. Die Umsätze in der Region Americas stiegen auf 154,9 Millionen Euro (Vj. 66,0). Grund hierfür war die Akquisition der TMD Gruppe sowie eigenes organisches Wachstum durch Anläufe neuer Projekte im Nafta-Raum. In der Heimatregion EMEA verzeichnete Grammer aufgrund der angespannten Marktsituation einen deutlichen Umsatzrückgang im Automotive-Bereich, der jedoch fast vollständig von der weiterhin erfreulichen Entwicklung im Bereich Commercial Vehicles kompensiert werden konnte. Insgesamt musste daher in der Region EMEA ein leichter Umsatzrückgang auf 307,0 Millionen Euro (Vj. 316,2) verzeichnet werden. In der Region APAC lagen die Umsätze mit 72,2 Millionen Euro auf Vorjahresniveau (Vj. 72,2).
Positive Umsatzentwicklung in beiden Konzernsegmenten
Trotz des Umsatzrückgangs in Europa konnte im Automotive-Segment in den ersten drei Monaten 2019 ein Zuwachs von 20,5 Prozent auf 378,3 Millionen Euro (Vj. 313,9) erzielt werden. Dieser deutliche Anstieg resultierte hauptsächlich aus der Akquisition der im Oktober 2018 erstmalig einbezogenen TMD Gruppe. Das Segment-EBIT entwickelte sich im Bereich Automotive ebenfalls positiv um 26,8 Prozent auf 12,3 Millionen Euro (Vj. 9,7), bei einer leicht verbesserten EBIT-Rendite von 3,3 Prozent (Vj. 3,1), trotz der Ergebnisbelastungen aufgrund der rückläufigen Umsatzentwicklung in Europa.
Sehr erfolgreich entwickelte sich erneut das zweite Konzern-Segment Commercial Vehicles: Dank steigender Absätze in nahezu allen Kernmärkten verzeichnete Grammer hier einen Umsatzanstieg um 9,6 Prozent auf 168,5 Millionen Euro (Vj. 153,8). Das Segment-EBIT verbesserte sich um 12,4 Prozent auf 17,2 Millionen Euro (Vj. 15,3) bei einer im Vergleich zum Vorjahr konstanten EBIT-Rendite von 10,2 Prozent (Vj. 9,9).
Höhere Investitionen durch Bau der neuen Konzernzentrale und neue Bilanzierungsvorschriften
Die Investitionen des Grammer Konzerns fielen mit 32,4 Millionen Euro im ersten Quartal 2019 deutlich höher aus als im Vergleichszeitraum des Vorjahres (Vj. 10,0). Dieser Anstieg resultiert insbesondere aus den Investitionen in den bereits 2018 begonnenen Bau des neuen Grammer Technologiezentrums und der neuen Konzernzentrale in Ursensollen bei Amberg. Außerdem werden ab dem 1. Januar 2019 gemäß den erstmalig anzuwendenden Bilanzierungsvorschriften des IFRS 16 Miet- und Leasingverhältnisse für neue langfristige Verträge als Investitionen bilanziert.
Neubesetzung des Grammer Vorstands abgeschlossen
In den ersten Monaten des laufenden Geschäftsjahres konnten die zum Jahresende vakant gewordenen Vorstandsposten neu besetzt werden. Im März 2019 hat der Aufsichtsrat der Grammer AG Frau Jurate Keblyte als neuen CFO in den Vorstand berufen. Zudem erfolgte im April die Bestellung von Herrn Thorsten Seehars zum neuen Vorstandsvorsitzenden der Grammer AG. Beide neuen Vorstandsmitglieder werden ihre Arbeit am 1. August 2019 aufnehmen. Herr Manfred Pretscher hat sein Vorstandsmandat, das ursprünglich am 30. Juni 2019 enden sollte, bis 31. August verlängert, so dass eine geordnete Übergabe an die neuen Vorstände gewährleistet ist. Bereits am 1. Januar 2019 hatte Herr Jens Öhlenschläger die Position des COO übernommen. Mit den Neubesetzungen wurde der Vorstand der Grammer AG nun langfristig komplettiert.
Unveränderte Gesamtjahresprognose im weiterhin angespannten Automotive-Umfeld
Für das Gesamtjahr 2019 geht der Grammer Vorstand weiterhin von einem unverändert sehr herausfordernden konjunkturellen Umfeld aus. Insbesondere die Entwicklungen im Automotive-Markt in Europa, sowie Einflüsse aufgrund des möglichen Brexits und anderen geopolitischen Problemfeldern, könnten zu negativen Auswirkungen auf die Geschäfts- und Ertragslage von Grammer führen. Für 2019 ist hinsichtlich des Konzernumsatzes von einer sehr leichten Steigerung aus den bisherigen Konzerngeschäften des Grammer Konzerns und von einem deutlichen Zuwachs durch den Erwerb der TMD Gruppe auszugehen. Dementsprechend erwartet der Vorstand ein Konzernumsatzwachstum auf über 2,1 Milliarden Euro und ein absolut gesehen erneut sehr positives EBIT, das sehr deutlich über dem EBIT des Geschäftsjahres 2018 liegen wird.
Die vollständige Quartalsmitteilung des Grammer Konzerns zu den ersten drei Monaten 2019 steht auf der Unternehmenswebseite unter folgendem Link zur Verfügung:
https://www.grammer.com/investor-relations/finanzpublikationen.html
Unternehmensprofil
Die Grammer AG mit Sitz in Amberg ist spezialisiert auf die Entwicklung und Herstellung von Komponenten und Systemen für die Pkw-Innenausstattung sowie von gefederten Fahrer- und Passagiersitzen für On- und Offroad-Fahrzeuge.
Im Segment Automotive liefern wir Kopfstützen, Armlehnen, Mittelkonsolen, hochwertige Interieur-Komponenten und Bediensysteme sowie innovative thermoplastische Lösungen für die Automobil-Industrie an namhafte Pkw-Hersteller im Premiumbereich und an Systemlieferanten der Fahrzeugindustrie. Das Segment Commercial Vehicles umfasst die Geschäftsfelder Lkw- und Offroad-Sitze (Traktoren, Baumaschinen, Stapler) sowie Bahn- und Bussitze.
Mit rund 15.000 Mitarbeitern ist Grammer in 19 Ländern weltweit tätig. Die Grammer Aktie ist im Prime Standard notiert und wird an den Börsen München und Frankfurt sowie über das elektronische Handelssystem Xetra gehandelt.
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Press: ZF to Acquire Software Specialist for Occupant Recognition

ZF plans to acquire 90 percent of Simi Reality Motion Systems Specialist for image-based 3D systems for recording and analysis of human movement Over 25 years of experience in high-performance sports and medicine Occupant recognition is a key enabler for integrated safety and autonomous driving Friedrichshafen/Unterschleißheim (Germany). ZF plans to expand its network of cooperations… Continue reading Press: ZF to Acquire Software Specialist for Occupant Recognition

Dana Highlights ePropulsion Technologies at CTI Symposium USA

MAUMEE, Ohio, May 13, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Dana Incorporated (NYSE: DAN) is showcasing its extensive portfolio of electrification systems and technologies at the CTI Symposium USA, May 13-16, in Novi, Michigan.  Among the technologies presented at the show will be Dana’s electric drive units, e-Axles, electric transmissions, and thermal management and sealing solutions. “Dana’s portfolio… Continue reading Dana Highlights ePropulsion Technologies at CTI Symposium USA