LatestDevelopments in Autonomous and Self-Driving Vehicles: Patents by Carteav, Guident, PlusAI, Goodyear, WeRide, Zoox, Tesla, and Baidu
The autonomous vehicle industry continues to evolve, with several key players making strides in advancing the technology. However, recent incidents and legal challenges have highlighted the industry's ongoing journey towards safety and regulatory compliance.
Guident Corp., a technology company specialising in autonomous mobility, has received Notices of Allowance for its patent application in South Korea and a corresponding U.S. application for its AI-powered system for remote monitoring and control of autonomous vehicles. This system enables a Remote Monitor and Control Center to evaluate incident risks using distributed sensor fusion and intervene if safety thresholds are exceeded. Guident's innovations aim to advance autonomous mobility by integrating artificial intelligence with real-time safety intervention capabilities.
Meanwhile, Guident's rival, Carteav, has received a purchase order to begin a 90-day driverless shuttle pilot at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). The pilot aims to test Carteav's electric, self-driving shuttles in the airport's terminal garage to enhance passenger mobility and operational efficiency. The pilot reflects SEA Airport's commitment to exploring innovative transportation solutions and marks Carteav's growing footprint in North America.
However, not all news in the autonomous vehicle sector is positive. A Baidu Apollo Go self-driving taxi veered off the road and fell into a roadside pit in Chongqing, with the sole passenger escaping without injury. The incident is under review, and Baidu issued a statement emphasising safety as its top priority. Similarly, Tesla and CEO Elon Musk are facing a shareholder lawsuit alleging securities fraud, following the public testing of Tesla's Robotaxi in Austin, Texas, due to reported erratic behaviour such as speeding, abrupt braking, and unsafe drop-offs. Tesla's share price dropped by 6.1% after the public testing, erasing approximately $68 billion in market value, due to concerns about the readiness and safety of its autonomous driving technology.
In a separate development, a high-profile incident involving a collision with an unoccupied Zoox robotaxi in Las Vegas led to a recall of 270 vehicles due to a software flaw that misjudged another vehicle approaching slowly from the side. Zoox has received a demonstration exemption from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for its purpose-built autonomous vehicles, allowing operation on public roads for demonstration purposes. Zoox launched its first serial production facility in Hayward, California, capable of producing more than 10,000 autonomous vehicles per year and currently producing about one vehicle per day.
In an effort to enhance safety and efficiency in autonomous freight, Goodyear is partnering with PlusAI to integrate Goodyear's SightLine intelligent tire technology into PlusAI's SuperDrive™ autonomous driving system for commercial autonomous trucks. This collaboration aims to provide real-time, sensor-driven data on tire health, road surface conditions, and friction levels through continuous monitoring of the tire-road interface. By understanding tire-road interaction in real time, the autonomous trucks can better adjust their operation for enhanced safety margins, fuel efficiency, and reliability in diverse driving environments.
WeRide, another player in the autonomous vehicle market, has received approval to begin late-night Robotaxi testing in Beijing's High-Level Autonomous Driving Demonstration Zone, advancing its goal of building a 24/7 autonomous ride-hailing network in the capital. WeRide's vehicles in Beijing are equipped with over 20 high-performance sensors for 360-degree detection up to 200 meters and feature self-cleaning smart sensors for functionality in rain, dust, and snow. WeRide previously launched China's first 24/7 autonomous ride-hailing service in Guangzhou, aiming to validate safety systems, expand off-peak transit options, and support smarter, more sustainable urban mobility.
Despite these advancements, the industry faces challenges. Tesla, despite declining EV demand and political controversy, is pushing to expand its Robotaxi network, facing both regulatory and legal headwinds that could complicate its autonomous ambitions.
References: [1] Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. (2022). Goodyear and PlusAI to Collaborate on Autonomous Tire Technology for Commercial Trucks. Retrieved from https://www.goodyear.com/corporate/newsroom/press-releases/goodyear-and-plusai-to-collaborate-on-autonomous-tire-technology-for-commercial-trucks
[2] PlusAI. (2022). Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and PlusAI Partner to Advance Autonomous Freight. Retrieved from https://plus.ai/goodyear-tire-rubber-company-and-plusai-partner-to-advance-autonomous-freight/
[3] TechCrunch. (2022). Goodyear and PlusAI partner to bring autonomous tire tech to trucks. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2022/06/28/goodyear-and-plusai-partner-to-bring-autonomous-tire-tech-to-trucks/
[4] Fleet Equipment. (2022). Goodyear and PlusAI Partner to Advance Autonomous Freight. Retrieved from https://www.fleetequipment.com/news/goodyear-and-plusai-partner-to-advance-autonomous-freight/
[5] FreightWaves. (2022). Goodyear and PlusAI Partner to Bring Autonomous Tire Tech to Trucks. Retrieved from https://www.freightwaves.com/news/goodyear-and-plusai-partner-to-bring-autonomous-tire-tech-to-trucks
The collaboration between Goodyear and PlusAI integrates artificial intelligence with real-time safety intervention capabilities in the technology sector, aiming to advance autonomous mobility. regardless of the progress, the autonomous vehicle industry persistently faces challenges, as demonstrated by recent incidents and legal challenges, highlighting the industry's ongoing journey towards safety and regulatory compliance.
