Anthony D'Amato

Waymo driving on the wrong side of the road due to what appears to be a bad driving decision -- for the second video in a week. Wonder what their excuse will be this time! Last time it was a strained story that they were trying to be safe by moving into an oncoming traffic lane (with oncoming traffic) for well over a block a few days ago (pointer to that earlier video here; involves a swarm of unicycles: https://lnkd.in/eHFicWNg ) This video is a lot more straightforward. The problem with heavy-tail situations is it highlights a lack of "common sense" that is an inherent limitation to machine learning-based technology. Not a great look for a company trying to convince us that human drivers are terrible. Video source is apparently from TikTok. Or a deepfake -- or one from a year ago that just surfaced -- let's see what Waymo says. Happy to update with more info on date/source/provenance if we find out. Update: I got a note saying this was in Phoenix from an informed source, but not iron-clad confirmation. The previous video with crazy unicycle circumstances, no crash, and a laughable explanation is one thing. A second video makes Waymo's one-off edge case defense a lot less credible. Source: https://lnkd.in/eQJQxsap

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According to the article, axial flux electric motors, such as the one patented by General Motors, have a distinctive disc-shaped design that distinguishes them from more common radial flux motors. This design allows for a higher power density and torque output in a more compact package. Specifically, the article notes that axial flux motors can generate high torque at low speeds, which could potentially eliminate the need for multi-speed transmissions in electric vehicles. This is because the motor's high torque output across a wide speed range can mimic the functionality of traditional geared transmissions, providing the desired torque and acceleration without the need for complex shifting mechanisms. In traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, the transmission and gearing system are crucial for matching the engine's torque curve to the vehicle's needs. However, electric motors inherently have a flatter torque curve that extends across a wide speed range. https://lnkd.in/g22TFXxx

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The most knowledgeable people in ADAS are usually the most skeptical of Revv. Example: we pitched Revv last week to a shop owner who was immediately very dismissive. This guy had a lot of expertise in the ADAS space. When we pitched the value prop, he didn't believe Revv could identify calibrations he wasn't already finding. So we gave him 5 free ADAS reports and told him to run it on a few cars and see what happened. He called us back within 10 minutes to tell us Revv sucked. "I ran a report on an older Chevy work truck that was rear-ended and your system told me I need to calibrate the front camera. That makes no sense. Your product is wrong." So we pulled up the documentation. Turns out, the OEM said even if you're rear-ended, you have to calibrate this radar on the front of the vehicle too. This guy immediately ran Revv on 5 other vehicles and picked up at least 1 calibration on each one that he wouldn't have known about. In the span of 1 day, he went from being a very intense skeptic to signing up as a customer. What's even better - his free trial covered the cost of Revv for his first month.

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Elektrek reports: "Tesla releases update to remove steering wheel nag, shuts down sunglasses loophole," with improved camera-based #driver #monitoring. We need to call this update for what it is. Tesla's improvements to its #DMS amount to no more than polishing a turd. Elektrek continues: "This enhancement is available on vehicles equipped with a #cabincamera and only when the cabin camera has clear and continuous visibility of the driver’s eyes (e.g. the camera is not occluded, there is sufficient cabin illumination, and the driver is looking forward at the road ahead and not wearing sunglasses, a hat with a low brim, or other objects covering the eyes). A DMS needs to work at all times and under all lighting conditions to effectively perform the supervisory role for #FSD and #Autopilot. To not work in low light, or simply if the driver is wearing sunglasses, means it works unless it doesn't. That amounts to a hardware defect which cannot be resolved with changes to the software. This is the game Tesla is currently playing with #NHTSA. Coming regulatory changes mean Tesla is out of time for its woeful DMS. Tesla DMS came last in a recent #IIHS #automation #safeguards ranking (Ford Motor Company's DMS was ranked first) but coming harmonization of regulatory requirements across the U.S., Europe, and China through the 5-star #NCAP test will force Tesla's hand regarding properly functioning DMS in the near term. At a minimum, Tesla needs to implement DMS with 940nm optical path, add “Owl & Lizard” movement detection, work properly with sunglasses, and provide measures of #distraction and #drowsiness. Euro NCAP - For Safer Cars, Vans & Trucks is set to announce its 2026 DMS test protocols later this year and could add metrics for #cognitivedistraction and #impaired driving. Ironically it is Tesla FSD/Autopilot crashes that provide regulators with the data of what functions a DMS performing a supervisory role for partial automation most need to fulfil. NHTSA issued an #ANPRM for impaired driving in November. It is likely to follow that up with clear rulemaking for minimum DMS performance requirements in the next 12 months. The industry should not expect those requirement to be lame. FMVSS 127 for AEB was a major #safety advance. #Automakers should prepare now for the same step-change for DMS in the U.S. too. The latest edition of Semicast's report "#ADAS & #Automotive Vision-based Driver Monitoring Systems" is published. Significant segmentation of the DMS/OMS market is provided. This is summarized as follows:   - by movement detection into "Owl-only" and "Owl & Lizard" detection - by feature set - by processor type - by CMOS image sensor location - by CMOS image sensor resolution - by driver and occupant monitoring - by front-seat and whole-cabin monitoring   Message me for a copy of the sales brochure for the study. My inbox is open. https://lnkd.in/eWNvfQSm

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Could not believe it when I read the news about GM yesterday, which I have summarized below. General Motors (GM) is stepping back from its robotaxi plans, citing high costs and tough competition in the autonomous vehicle space. This shift comes after a rocky year for Cruise, GM’s self-driving unit. Cruise hit a major roadblock in 2023 when one of its vehicles injured a pedestrian, triggering a pause in operations, regulatory reviews, and a legal settlement. Despite resuming testing in California and striking a deal with Uber to deploy its robotaxis, GM has decided the financial and operational challenges are too steep right now. Instead, the company will combine Cruise’s team with GM’s other technical groups to focus on driver assistance tech, like its Super Cruise and Ultra Cruise systems, which are already being used in consumer vehicles. While this may seem like a step back, it’s also an opportunity for GM to double down on the technologies that are closer to market and can make driving safer for millions of people today. By focusing on practical solutions, GM could set itself up for long-term success in autonomous tech. All this being said, it is being reported that the decision has left many Cruise employees feeling blindsided and uncertain about their future. Clear communication and support from leadership will be crucial to maintaining morale and ensuring a smooth transition. What do you think—are incremental advancements like driver assistance systems the smarter play for now, or should companies keep pushing full steam ahead on robotaxis? #GM #Cruise #GeneralMotors #robotaxi #autonomousvehicles #ADAS

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Twenty five years ago, GM retired a radical concept that promised to transform the future of mobility and foreshadowed a future with EVs that is still proving a challenge for the industry. Is history repeating itself with AVs? This deserves a longer treatment but two things occur to me. One - we all know human drivers are fallible and contribute to crashes that lead to death and serious injury but I think we also underappreciate how amazing we are in being able to perceive hazards, predict the actions of others and plot a safe course the overwhelming majority of the time - and building machines that come close to achieving this is incredible but there is still work to do. And two - being able to prove transparently that machines are able to see, predict and respond to hazards and drive safely in public environments will be a necessary step for the public, commercial deployment - and I wish Cruise had been truly transparent about the incident last year, which may have led to a different outcome now, sadly... Onwards!

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Stellantis is investing over $406 million in three Michigan plants to expand battery-electric (BEV) and hybrid vehicle production. 🌟 The investment aligns with their Dare Forward 2030 goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2038 and highlights their ongoing commitment to ICE vehicles in North America. As a trusted partner to many vehicle manufacturers, we understand how critical efficient operations are in achieving ambitious goals like these. Our ERP software plays a vital role in streamlining production, ensuring smooth workflows, and helping manufacturers stay ahead in an ever-evolving industry! Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/3Xs8Qtg #Manufacturing #Engineering #ERP #MRP #ERPsoftware #MetalFabrication #Fabrication

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Stellantis is recalling 317,630 vehicles in the U.S. due to a problem with the hydraulic control unit that may cause systems including the anti-lock brake to fail. https://lnkd.in/gvS8wUAd.

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Steering wheel goes wild under its own power -- Unintended steering due to improper manufacturing calibration. (Ford / NHTSA Recall 24V-493) From the department of you don't need "self-driving" for your software to try to kill you. Piecing together the scant information in the recall report, it seems that a supplier manufacturer inverted wires used to set up steering wheel sensors, resulting in an "inverted polarity" in the sensor. In other words right and left were swapped on the sensor. This sensor was installed in steering power assist in 30K+ Ford Mustangs. So if you pull left, the sensor telling the power steering what you wanted to do thinks you meant to pull right, and the converse. Under some conditions, this means the steering wheel fights you. Or worse, because if the steering wheel pulls hard, you're likely to pull even harder the other way. "The steering wheel may begin oscillating without warning (alternating clockwise / counterclockwise) when the driver attempts to steer. The oscillation results from the electronic power steering gear providing unintended steering assist." I'm aware that a standard aircraft check is to make sure the control stick is wired to the control surfaces without reversed controls. First time I've heard of this happening for a production ground vehicle. NHTSA Recall report: https://lnkd.in/enM2BA6T https://lnkd.in/edEEshGJ

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🚗💡 Could We Really See a Steering Wheel-less Future in Autonomous Vehicles? At TechCrunch Disrupt 2024, General Motors CEO Mary Barra reaffirmed her vision for an autonomous vehicle (AV) without traditional controls like steering wheels and pedals. This ambitious goal comes on the heels of GM's decision to cancel its purpose-built Origin robotaxi project. Despite this setback, Barra remains optimistic about the potential of developing innovative AV technologies that could reshape transportation as we know it. Why does this matter? The push towards fully autonomous vehicles represents more than just a technological evolution; it's about transforming our daily lives, enhancing safety, and redefining future mobility options. As other companies dive into the race for robotaxis and AVs, Barra's commitment demonstrates GM’s long-term strategy focusing on innovation amidst the challenges of development. In her address, she highlighted how partnerships with startups are crucial in driving corporate innovation within this sector. Companies looking to stay ahead must embrace change and collaborate with disruptive forces shaping tomorrow’s automotive landscape. Are you excited or skeptical about the possibility of jumping into a driverless cab with no controls at all? Join us in discussing whether we’re truly ready to hand over our driving responsibilities to machines! Connect with startups to drive your corporate innovation 🚀 Book a meeting! [https://lnkd.in/emcQkMx4) #AutonomousVehicles #MaryBarra #GM #Innovation #TechCrunch2024 #Robotaxi #FutureMobility #CorporateInnovation #Startups #TransportationTechnology Read more here: [Mary Barra still thinks GM will make an AV with no steering wheel](https://lnkd.in/d6bADNs9)

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🚗💡 Could We Really See a Steering Wheel-less Future in Autonomous Vehicles? At TechCrunch Disrupt 2024, General Motors CEO Mary Barra reaffirmed her vision for an autonomous vehicle (AV) without traditional controls like steering wheels and pedals. This ambitious goal comes on the heels of GM's decision to cancel its purpose-built Origin robotaxi project. Despite this setback, Barra remains optimistic about the potential of developing innovative AV technologies that could reshape transportation as we know it. Why does this matter? The push towards fully autonomous vehicles represents more than just a technological evolution; it's about transforming our daily lives, enhancing safety, and redefining future mobility options. As other companies dive into the race for robotaxis and AVs, Barra's commitment demonstrates GM’s long-term strategy focusing on innovation amidst the challenges of development. In her address, she highlighted how partnerships with startups are crucial in driving corporate innovation within this sector. Companies looking to stay ahead must embrace change and collaborate with disruptive forces shaping tomorrow’s automotive landscape. Are you excited or skeptical about the possibility of jumping into a driverless cab with no controls at all? Join us in discussing whether we’re truly ready to hand over our driving responsibilities to machines! Connect with startups to drive your corporate innovation 🚀 Book a meeting! [https://lnkd.in/emcQkMx4) #AutonomousVehicles #MaryBarra #GM #Innovation #TechCrunch2024 #Robotaxi #FutureMobility #CorporateInnovation #Startups #TransportationTechnology Read more here: [Mary Barra still thinks GM will make an AV with no steering wheel](https://lnkd.in/da68YE-K)

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🚗💡 Could We Really See a Steering Wheel-less Future in Autonomous Vehicles? At TechCrunch Disrupt 2024, General Motors CEO Mary Barra reaffirmed her vision for an autonomous vehicle (AV) without traditional controls like steering wheels and pedals. This ambitious goal comes on the heels of GM's decision to cancel its purpose-built Origin robotaxi project. Despite this setback, Barra remains optimistic about the potential of developing innovative AV technologies that could reshape transportation as we know it. Why does this matter? The push towards fully autonomous vehicles represents more than just a technological evolution; it's about transforming our daily lives, enhancing safety, and redefining future mobility options. As other companies dive into the race for robotaxis and AVs, Barra's commitment demonstrates GM’s long-term strategy focusing on innovation amidst the challenges of development. In her address, she highlighted how partnerships with startups are crucial in driving corporate innovation within this sector. Companies looking to stay ahead must embrace change and collaborate with disruptive forces shaping tomorrow’s automotive landscape. Are you excited or skeptical about the possibility of jumping into a driverless cab with no controls at all? Join us in discussing whether we’re truly ready to hand over our driving responsibilities to machines! Connect with startups to drive your corporate innovation 🚀 Book a meeting! [https://lnkd.in/emcQkMx4) #AutonomousVehicles #MaryBarra #GM #Innovation #TechCrunch2024 #Robotaxi #FutureMobility #CorporateInnovation #Startups #TransportationTechnology Read more here: [Mary Barra still thinks GM will make an AV with no steering wheel](https://lnkd.in/da68YE-K)

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🚗💡 Could We Really See a Steering Wheel-less Future in Autonomous Vehicles? At TechCrunch Disrupt 2024, General Motors CEO Mary Barra reaffirmed her vision for an autonomous vehicle (AV) without traditional controls like steering wheels and pedals. This ambitious goal comes on the heels of GM's decision to cancel its purpose-built Origin robotaxi project. Despite this setback, Barra remains optimistic about the potential of developing innovative AV technologies that could reshape transportation as we know it. Why does this matter? The push towards fully autonomous vehicles represents more than just a technological evolution; it's about transforming our daily lives, enhancing safety, and redefining future mobility options. As other companies dive into the race for robotaxis and AVs, Barra's commitment demonstrates GM’s long-term strategy focusing on innovation amidst the challenges of development. In her address, she highlighted how partnerships with startups are crucial in driving corporate innovation within this sector. Companies looking to stay ahead must embrace change and collaborate with disruptive forces shaping tomorrow’s automotive landscape. Are you excited or skeptical about the possibility of jumping into a driverless cab with no controls at all? Join us in discussing whether we’re truly ready to hand over our driving responsibilities to machines! Connect with startups to drive your corporate innovation 🚀 Book a meeting! [https://lnkd.in/emcQkMx4) #AutonomousVehicles #MaryBarra #GM #Innovation #TechCrunch2024 #Robotaxi #FutureMobility #CorporateInnovation #Startups #TransportationTechnology Read more here: [Mary Barra still thinks GM will make an AV with no steering wheel](https://lnkd.in/da68YE-K)

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The BMW i3 REX was the first attempt to market an extended-range EV—a BEV with a generator—but it didn’t quite succeed. Can larger EREVs improve both GHG emissions and consumer acceptance while reducing dependence on DC fast charging? The answer may lie beyond technology alone. New policy tools that reflect real-world fleet performance can encourage OEMs to support frequent charging and earn credits when they do. Current tools, like utility factors and supply-side regulations, are not a sufficient starting point, but many OEMs are exploring promising new technologies, engines, and fuels that may show potential for deep GHG reductions with regular charging may not be a good starting point, but many OEMS are testing new technologies, engines and fuels that shows high potential. https://lnkd.in/gzrMpFBA

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Waymo to add Hyundai EVs to robotaxi fleet under new multiyear deal 🌏 Hyundai Motor and Waymo have agreed to a multiyear, strategic partnership that includes the self-driving company adding the South Korean automaker’s Ioniq 5 electric vehicle to its robotaxi fleet. Initial on-road testing with Waymo-enabled Ioniq 5s will begin by late 2025, and they are expected to become available to Waymo One robotaxi riders in the years to follow, the companies said. * Ride-hailing drivers will be Disrupted by Technology, Artificial Intelligence with Autonomy 🤖

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