Autonomous – Page 2681 – I wish I had more to offer

Ford and Baidu team up to test self-driving vehicles in China

Nelson Ching | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Robin Li, chief executive officer of Baidu Inc.

Ford and Chinese internet giant Baidu announced a tie-up Wednesday that will see the two firms jointly test self-driving vehicles in China for two years.

The initiative will see the two companies collaborate on the development and testing of driverless vehicles that meet the Level 4 standard set by U.S. industry organization SAE International. This means that autonomous vehicles developed by the two will not require intervention from a human driver.

Ford and Baidu did not disclose any financial terms or ownership structure details of the venture.

“Working with a leading tech partner like Baidu allows us to leverage new opportunities in China to offer innovative solutions that improve safety, convenience and the overall mobility experience,” Sherif Marakby, president and CEO of Ford's autonomous vehicles unit, said in a statement Wednesday.

“This project marks a new milestone in the partnership between Ford and Baidu, and supports Ford's vision to design smart vehicles that transform how we get around.”

Ford's autonomous vehicles have already been fitted with Baidu's autonomous driving system Apollo, the two companies said in a joint statement. On-road testing of the driverless vehicles developed by Ford and Baidu is slated to start by the end of this year.

“Baidu and Ford both believe in using technology to redefine the future of mobility,” Zhenyu Li, vice president and general manager of Baidu's intelligent driving group, said in a statement.

“This project will combine our leading-edge technological know-how and understanding of China together with Ford's vehicle expertise, marking a significant step forward towards Baidu's goal of developing autonomous driving vehicles that will greatly benefit future consumers.”

The news follows an initial announcement made in June that the two companies would explore areas of cooperation in the fields of artificial intelligence and connectivity.

Baidu was recently added to the Partnership on AI (PAI), a U.S. ethics body devoted to establishing best practices for AI and educating society about the technology. It was the first Chinese firm to join the organization.

It has upped the competitive pressure on U.S. rivals that are ploughing significant money and resources into AI — including Google and Microsoft — and recently developed a tool which it says can translate different languages in real time.

Alliance Ventures leads strategic investment in WeRide.ai

Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi and WeRide.ai to increase presence in Chinese autonomous vehicle services Alliance Ventures, the strategic venture capital arm of Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi, has become the lead strategic investor of WeRide.ai (formerly JingChi.ai), China’s leading autonomous driving company focused on Level 4 (L4) self-driving technology, following completion of the company’s Series A funding. The investment in WeRide.ai is… Continue reading Alliance Ventures leads strategic investment in WeRide.ai

Cruise Struggles But Progresses Toward Autonomous Chevy Bolt EV’s

Autonomous Chevy Bolt EVs likely to reach many major cities in “single digit years, not decades” GM CEO Mary Barra recently spoke with The Atlantic at City Lab Detroit about the future of autonomous and electric vehicles. There she again made a call for a national ZEV program. She also re-iterated the need for government… Continue reading Cruise Struggles But Progresses Toward Autonomous Chevy Bolt EV’s

Fisker Inc. and prominent Hakim Unique Group conglomerate team up to create the electric Fisker ORBIT Smart Shuttle autonomous vehicle for Smart Cities.

• World-renowned electric vehicle design and technology from Fisker will complement global smart city expertise, infrastructure and investments from Hakim Unique Group of China.

• Automotive design icon and electric vehicle industry revolutionary, Henrik Fisker and Fisker Inc., will team with prominent entrepreneur, Wang Qicheng (Jack Wong) and the Hakim Unique Group on a vision for more integrated smart city systems – starting with electric, autonomous shuttles from Fisker Inc.

• The development comes on the heels of Fisker Inc. news on the launch of its EMotion luxury electric sedan, Fisker scientists filing patents on solid-state battery technology and more electric vehicle technology breakthroughs.

(November 30, 2017) – Fisker Inc., designer and manufacturer of the world’s most desirable electric vehicles complemented with some of the longest EV ranges and breakthrough automotive technology, is entering an alliance with prominent China-based conglomerate, Hakim Unique Group, to develop the world’s most appealing autonomous shuttle for smart cities across the globe. The partnership is reflective of both firms’ shared vision in new mobility trends and the elevation of integrated smart city concepts – bringing them to life with a powerful combination of infrastructure, world-renowned design and cutting-edge electric vehicle innovation.

Hakim Unique Group’s conglomerate of more than 160 wholly owned or partly controlled companies has an intense interest and expertise in developing smart city infrastructure – with a comprehensive range of experts across government, universities, operators and enterprises. And with full capabilities in consulting, advanced technical research, multi-mode operation, integration, implementation and operation – the company is positioned to influence the mobility needs, design and development of smart cities everywhere.
Fisker Inc. – the brainchild of automotive design icon and industry revolutionary, Henrik Fisker – has recently announced breakthrough developments on not just its own upcoming vehicles, including the Fisker EMotion luxury electric sedan, but in proprietary technologies that will change the face of the automotive industry and beyond. The company’s engineers, scientists and visionaries imagine connected cities that may benefit greatly from insight, expertise and aggressive R&D capabilities from a radically forward-thinking automotive company.
The first joint project will include the design, development and integration of a Fisker electric, autonomous shuttle into a Hakim Unique-implemented smart city. ‘Fisker Orbit’ vehicles would benefit from Henrik Fisker’s futuristic design vision and the latest high technology ergonomic interior of the future.
Fisker will begin delivering the first Orbit electric autonomous shuttles by the end of 2018.

Henrik Fisker, chairman and CEO of Fisker Inc.

“Our tireless work at Fisker Inc. has never just been about the design and development of our own compelling electric vehicles – but exploring new frontiers in technology across multiple industries for the advancement of human mobility and progression of society as a whole. It’s in this spirit that we’re thrilled to partner with Hakim Unique Group and a top entrepreneur in “Jack” Wang Qicheng – who’s been at the forefront in investment, development and implementation of infrastructure for the smart cities of the future. The combination of our breakthrough automotive technology, design prowess and unique vantage point as industry revolutionaries – and Jack’s truly integrated vision of smart cities – is powerful. I am very excited about making the impossible, possible with intelligent urban ecosystems – starting with the development of one of the world’s most forward-thinking and uniquely designed electric, autonomous shuttles: The Fisker Orbit.”

Qicheng Wang (Jack Wong), chairman of Hakim Unique Group

“Hakim Unique Group, as a leading Chinese enterprise in building smart cities, has been devoted to providing intelligent, convenient and integrated solutions for urban upgrading in China. We strive to bring the latest technology into the field of smart transportation and use it to improve public transportation, as well as help to promote social progress. Here, we share the same values with Fisker Inc.
Henrik Fisker – as an internationally acclaimed automotive designer, complemented with his strong team at Fisker Inc. – is a visionary with innovation and foresight in science and technology, giving us confidence in the prospect of our collaboration. Fisker Inc. and Hakim Unique Group will co-develop the autonomous shuttle 'Fisker Orbit,' in which Fisker Inc. will be responsible for technology development and product design, while Hakim Unique Group will be responsible for marketing and operation in China/Asia. The greatest opportunity for society in the future comes from the orchestra of data, intelligence and collaboration – as well as the convergence of online and offline activities. If we take this opportunity, we will restructure the business ecosystem. Hakim Unique Group aims to become an enterprise that can bring profound impact on human lives around the world, and even on the future of business. We believe that Fisker Inc. shares that same ambition, and our collaboration today will not only create a great win-win outcome, but also create a story and legacy to be relished by future generations.”

About Fisker Inc.

California-based Fisker Inc. is revolutionizing the automotive industry by developing the most emotionally desirable electric vehicles complemented with the longest EV range and shortest charging times on earth. The brainchild of EV pioneer and world-leading automotive designer, Henrik Fisker, Fisker Inc.’s mission is to set a new standard of excellence and performance in the electric vehicle industry and mobility services – developing unique, high-performance electric vehicles with the latest technology to complement groundbreaking range, charging time, autonomous driving and user experiences. To learn more, visit www.FiskerInc.com.

About Hakim Unique Group

Hakim Unique Group (HUG) is a global conglomerate with more than 160 subsidiaries, including Hakim Unique Internet Co. Ltd, a publicly listed company on the Shenzhen A-Share Exchange. Founded in 2006 by prominent entrepreneur, Qicheng Wang, the company is focused on four major business sectors: Cultural media, healthcare, technology and finance. And with a total group valuation of more than 210 billion Yuan ($32 billion USD), HUG is ranked amongst China’s top 500 private enterprises according to Zheshang Magazine – as well as a top 100 most profitable company.

Cultural Media: Hakim Unique Media Group delivers resources, content and scenes across the entire media industry. With renowned shareholders like Zhou Xun, Huang Lei, He Jiong and Kexin Chan Studio, the company has been engaged in film and variety shows – as well as the production/distribution of TV dramas, commercial performances, brand/internal marketing and artist/talent management.
Healthcare: Hakim Unique Health Technology Co., Ltd., and Hakim Unique Smart Healthcare Services Co. Ltd. are committed to improving access to quality care globally. By connecting healthcare providers and patients through technology and service driven platforms, HUG, through its holdings in California Healthcom Group and HAOEYOU Satellite Clinics, has a presence in more than 200 tertiary hospitals in China.
Technology: Hakim Unique Internet Co. Ltd. (SZ 300300; A-Share listed on Shenzhen Exchange) is the leading force in smart city technology applications and artificial intelligence. With a strong internal R&D team and actively expanding smart city-based applications using artificial intelligence within its developments, HUG is creating a new business ecosystem and boosting new business development.
Finance: The Group actively built a new financial section business group with total investments of 100 billion Yuan ($15 billion USD), including three major sub-groups of financial holding, financial technology and asset management.
With offices in nine major cities around the world (Paris, Vancouver, Seoul, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Taipei, Doha, Algiers and Los Angeles), Hakim Unique Group is fully committed to attracting worldwide attention and strategic partnerships within media, healthcare, finance, intelligent applications and other innovative industries.

Topics:

Smart City,

Autonomous Electric Public Transportation,

Fisker News,

ORBIT Electric Shuttle,

Sustainability,

Future,

Innovation,

Autonomous Vehicles

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UPDATE 2-Waymo gets first California OK for driverless testing without backup driver

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Alphabet Inc’s (GOOGL.O) Waymo unit on Tuesday became the first company to receive a permit from the state of California to test driverless vehicles without a backup driver in the front seat, the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles said. FILE PHOTO: The Waymo logo is displayed during the company’s unveil of a… Continue reading UPDATE 2-Waymo gets first California OK for driverless testing without backup driver

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Self-driving startup Waymo, a Google spin -off owned by parent company Alphabet, has been granted the first permit in California to begin driverless testing on public roads. Yes, that means self-driving cars without a human behind the wheel will be cruising around California, beginning with a limited geographic area in Silicon Valley. The company’s autonomous vehicles are a common sight… Continue reading Waymo, take the wheel: Self-driving cars go fully driverless on California roads

A deeper connection

For decades, scientists have been fascinated by the topic of artificial intelligence.Many systems created under this epithet have been artificial for a long time, but intelligence has not been a property they widely possessed. Over the last seven years, however, this has changed rapidly: With deep neural networks, developers now have a powerful tool at… Continue reading A deeper connection

VW reviewing autonomous car alliances, Waymo seen as a leader -CFO

FRANKFURT, Oct 30 (Reuters) – Volkswagen Chief Financial Officer Frank Witter on Tuesday said the carmaker was open to deeper alliances with outside companies, particularly in the area of autonomous driving, where Google’s Waymo is seen to be an industry leader. “It remains to be seen whether every carmaker develops their own system, or whether… Continue reading VW reviewing autonomous car alliances, Waymo seen as a leader -CFO

Fisker’s EMotion Electric Luxury Sedan and Flexible Solid-State Battery Make Global Debut at CES 2018

Dramatic luxury electric design from world-renowned automotive industry icon, Henrik Fisker, unveils in Las Vegas at CES on Jan. 9 at booth #3315 (North Hall)
Supercar desire, five integrated Quanergy S3 LiDAR sensors for autonomous driving, automatic butterfly doors, the ‘luxury interior of the future’ and more highlight the stunning EMotion
Fisker’s patent-pending Flexible Solid-State Battery changes global perception on EV charging and powering personal electronics with 2.5 times the energy density of lithium-ion; Working battery and bulk battery will be on display at CES

LAS VEGAS (January 9, 2018) – A new era in emotionally stirring electric luxury vehicle design – complemented with global technological breakthroughs in battery technology for charging EVs and personal consumer electronics alike – is arriving at CES 2018 with Fisker’s two global launches.

Fisker Inc. – designer and manufacturer of the world’s most desirable electric vehicles complemented with some of the longest EV ranges and breakthrough automotive technology – is unveiling the stunning Fisker EMotion luxury electric sedan for the first time in public at CES, starting Jan. 9 at booth #3315.
To complement the global debut of the EMotion, the truly groundbreaking, patent-pending Fisker Flexible Solid-State Battery will be on full display – separate from the vehicle. With immense implications for the automotive industry and personal consumer electronics around the globe, the breakthrough battery technology delivers 2.5 times the energy density of lithium-ion batteries – shattering conventional thought on EV range and charge times.

DRAMATIC SUPERCAR DESIRE. LEVEL 4 AUTONOMOUS DRIVING. THE LUXURY INTERIOR OF THE FUTURE. ENTER EMOTION.

Fisker EMotion disrupts convention in the most sensually radical way. The luxury electric EMotion delivers an exterior design language that emotionally connects with the consumer and evokes senses – complemented with an interior that creates personalized environments through individually designed seats and tailor-made luxury touches.
Performance, Handling & More

EV Range: 400 miles
Top Speed: (Estimated) 161 mph
All-Wheel Drive
24″ Low Rolling Resistant Pirelli Tires

Optional lightweight Carbon barrel wheels

5 Integrated Quanergy LiDARs For Autonomous Driving Capability (Up to L4)

Patented S3 Solid-State LiDAR Sensors: Designed to provide the highest level of performance, reliability, durability and dependability required in safety-critical automotive situations
Unparalleled Awareness: Only LiDAR with sensor hardware and perception software (The vehicle senses and perceives surroundings – detecting and classifying objects for real-time reaction)

Design

Elegant, Sporty, Timeless Design with Pure Dramatic Sculpture
Carbon Fiber and Aluminum Lightweight Construction
Front Brand Identity Design: Vehicle crafted around the LiDARs (Rather than an antiquated radiator)
Front LiDAR Integrated Flush Behind Front Wheel
Rear LiDAR Hidden in Lower Rear Rocker Panel
Doors Open/Close Controlled by Smartphone – With Exterior Unmovable Flush Touch Handles (Illuminated handles; discreet inner levers and touch panel closes)
Lower Exterior: Aero features, front spoiler, side rocker panels and rear diffuser in exposed lightweight carbon fiber

Interior, Comfort, Convenience & More

Interior: Defining the Future of Luxury
Ultra-Soft Premium Leather
Interior Color: Caramel and Midnight Black (Fisker was the first automotive brand to offer a vegan interior as an option – and will do so again with the EMotion)
Three Driver-Oriented Screens, With Center Curved Screen
Inductive Charging Ports and Special Holders For Four Smartphones (Partially visible)
Carbon Fiber Center Console with Additional Storage Space for Tablets and Accessories
Four Individual, Electric Adjustable First-Class Seats
Optional 27″ Curved Rear Screen For “Chauffeur Edition”
Five Seats, Rear Bench Option
Individual Four Zone Electric Adjustable Tinted Roof: Electrochromic Glass in Collaboration with Lipik

FISKER FLEXIBLE SOLID-STATE TECHNOLOGY: A NEW ERA IN ENERGY STORAGE AND CHARGING.

Fisker’s scientists, including the former co-founder of global battery tech pioneer Sakti3, filed patents on flexible, superior energy density solid-state batteries.
Fisker’s solid-state batteries will feature three-dimensional electrodes with 2.5 times the energy density of lithium-ion batteries.
Breakthrough technology will enable dramatically longer ranges of more than 500 miles on a single charge and charging times as low as one minute – faster than filling up a gas tank.
Automotive applications anticipated to be production grade ready sometime after 2020. Fisker anticipates personal electronics/cell phone battery production earlier – and possibly in 2018.
A working battery in a case and an actual bulk battery without a case will be on display at CES. The working battery will be half the size of a cell phone battery, 2mm thick and with superior energy storage.

“We are truly entering a new era in the way the world thinks about vehicles, the way EVs are charged and the way personal consumer electronics are powered – with Fisker Inc. now clearly at the forefront of that revolution through our worldwide launches at CES,” said Henrik Fisker, chairman and CEO of Fisker Inc. “With the EMotion, we’re introducing edgy, dramatic and emotionally-charged design/proportions – complemented with technological innovation that moves us into the future. That design balance is what has made the Fisker brand emotionally connect with our consumers. We’ve also made the seemingly impossible, possible with our scientists spearheading the breakthrough in Flexible Solid-State battery technology – which is the next generation in charging everything from your personal cell phone to enabling mass adoption of electric vehicles due to unprecedented ranges and lighting fast charge times. We’re incredibly excited to showcase working solid-state batteries and the vehicle, in-person, on such a massive global stage. Fisker Inc. is about breaking barriers, leading in automotive technologies and ultimately creating the most desirable, functional futuristic electric vehicles.”

The Fisker EMotion will be produced in the United States at a location to be announced during the second half of 2018. To schedule interviews with Fisker Inc., contact Fisker@GoDRIVEN360.com.

Topics:

Fisker Solid State Battery,

Autonomous Vehicles,

Fisker News,

Innovation,

Emotion EV,

Fisker EVs

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Ford CEO says restructuring is ‘a massive undertaking’ that must be ‘very thoughtfully orchestrated’

Rebecca Cook | Reuters
Ford Motor Company president and CEO James Hackett

Ford CEO Jim Hackett said the company is still determining what steps it needs to take to completely redesign itself.

Ford is in the midst of a plan to restructure the company that is expected to cost at least $11 billion dollars and take several years. But investors have grown impatient and frustrated with the level of detail Hackett and other Ford leadership have given about their plans. Ford's stock has lost about a third of its value this year.

During a conference call Wednesday, Hackett said he understands the frustration over the lack of clarity, but Ford has to move cautiously. Earlier, Ford reported third-quarter earnings that beat expectations.

“What I remind everybody of is we first have to find the areas that need the attention,” Hackett said. “We're through that. We then have to design the solutions for them. We're through a lot of that but not all of it. And then we have to put them in place and perform. If you read hesitancy from me, it's not that we don't know where we're going or don't know how to do it, it's that there's a massive undertaking that we have to have very thoughtfully orchestrated. Because my experience in doing this, the worst thing we could do is disrupt our business and we aren't going to do that.”

Hackett has talked for months about the need to improve Ford's “fitness” or efficiency. And the company has announced at least some changes to its business.

In early 2018, Ford said it plans to phase out the production of passenger cars for the North American market, in favor of more popular and profitable trucks, SUVs and crossovers.

Then, in early October, Ford said it plans to make reductions to its salaried workforce of 70,000 employees. But fuller details on that won't come until the second quarter of 2019.

Hackett added on Wednesday's call that the company is already seeing some benefits from initiatives it has put in place. He cited the company's North American EBIT margin of almost 9 percent in the latest quarter as an example and said the company was “very happy” with its strong balance sheet.

“We are making great progress on the product portfolio and I can't emphasize that enough,” he said.

Ford will share more details on its progress on autonomous vehicles, its strategic partnership, and its restructuring efforts in “the coming weeks and months,” Hackett added.

In the wake of the earnings report, Ford shares were trading up more than 4 percent after the closing bell.

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