Toronto, Ontario — In this week’s EV/AV report, new vehicles on display at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Mercedes becomes the first OEM to commercially offer Level 3 autonomous vehicles in the United States and Microsoft may invest US$10m into a self-driving truck company, according to leaked info. This is the latest in electric and autonomous vehicles.
Stars of the show
The Consumer Electronics Show returned in 2023 after years of virtual operations, and it did not disappoint.
Back on the show floor, automakers took the opportunity to showcase some of their latest offerings—new vehicles, new autonomous concepts and even heated seatbelts.
Volvo and Polestar showcased new vehicles equipped with Luminar’s latest LiDAR scanning technology, showcasing a video of a Luminar-equipped Tesla successfully avoiding dummies on scooters in tests.
A smaller LiDAR system was unveiled by Opsys, a solid-state alternative to the massive systems bolted to the roofs of autonomous vehicles.
One particularly interesting concept unveiled was the Ford Ram 1500 Revolution, a work truck that can haul an 18 foot long object using pass-throughs, featuring 28 inches of display over two screens and can even follow a farmer around.
Presumably, this is a autonomous feature and not a supernatural phenomenon.
Texting and Driving
Nevada has approved Mercedes-Benz’s Drive Pilot system, allowing for the deployment of a Level 3 autonomous system on public roads in the Silver State.
For context, Level 3 autonomous vehicles have a vehicle in complete control, and do not require the driver to take over. The option is there, but the requirement is not.
According to the Kelly Blue Book, this system is effectively intended for traffic jams only, as it is limited to use on highways at speeds below 64 kilometres per hour.
Mercedes is currently seeking approval for Drive Pilot use in California.
Shipping Startup
Microsoft is in talks with Gatik, with anonymous sources telling Reuters that the companies are collaborating, with plans to integrate Microsoft cloud and edge computing into Gatik’s autonomous delivery technology.
According to Reuters, this comes with tentative plans by Microsoft to invest over US$10 million into Gatik.
Sources requested anonymity under the grounds that terms of the deal were still subject to change, and the fact that the topic remains private.
Neither Microsoft or Gatik have commented on these discussions.
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