Robocar startup Tensor unveils

luxury self-driving car for 2026

• GM is reviving its autonomous driving program by rehiring former Cruise employees and hiring new talent, led by ex-Tesla Autopilot chief Sterling Anderson.

• The focus is shifting from robotaxi services to personal-use autonomous vehicles with hands-free, eyes-free capability.

• GM is testing LiDAR-equipped, human-driven vehicles to collect data and enhance simulation models for autonomy development.

• GM is continuing the development of Super Cruise as part of its autonomy roadmap.

• Previous mid-decade launch targets for personal AVs have lapsed, but development remains a strategic priority.

• The company remains committed to eventual fully driverless vehicles, despite shutting down Cruise after safety and regulatory issues.

• CEO Mary Barra emphasizes that autonomous technology is critical to GM’s future product lineup.

• Lior Ron, founder and former CEO of Uber Freight, joins Waabi as COO to scale autonomous trucking operations.

• Ron believes autonomous big rigs are ready for commercial deployment, transforming freight economics with driverless semi cabs.

• Waabi plans fully driverless trucks in the U.S. Southwest by year-end, targeting Sun Belt routes with high freight volumes and minimal weather constraints.

• The company aims to expand autonomous freight across North America within five years, leveraging partnerships with Uber Freight and OEMs like Volvo.

• Autonomous trucks are expected to double operational hours, reduce costs, improve safety, and increase fuel efficiency, accelerating adoption in logistics and retail sectors.

• Regulatory progress remains state-driven, but federal engagement is ongoing to enable faster deployment nationwide.

• Waabi positions itself as a “physical AI” company with long-term goals beyond trucking, including robotaxis, warehouse, and humanoid robots.

• Aeva partnered with LG Innotek with a $50M collaboration to combine Aeva’s FMCW LiDAR technology with LG’s large-scale manufacturing capabilities.

• LG Innotek invested $32M for a ~6% stake and will support production expansion, accelerating Aeva’s technology scale-up.

• The initial focus is on LiDAR systems for passenger vehicles, with long-term plans for robotics, industrial automation, and consumer electronics.

• Joint development aims to create a single-chip LiDAR system, improving affordability and integration for various devices.

• Leveraging LG Innotek’s global manufacturing network enables rapid scaling while keeping unit costs competitive.

• The partnership accelerates commercialization, transforming advanced sensing from niche applications into mainstream mobility and automation standards.

• Overall, Aeva’s collaboration positions it to compete in high-volume LiDAR markets while expanding into multiple sectors.

• Orbbec introduced the Pulsar ME450, the first dToF 3D LiDAR combining MEMS mirror and motorized scanning for flexible patterns.

• The sensor supports dynamic multi-pattern scanning, switching seamlessly between non-repetitive, repetitive, and dense scanning modes.

• Adjustable vertical field of view and rotation speed allow adaptation to various robotic applications like forklifts, logistics robots, and surveying equipment.

• Pulsar ME450 delivers millimeter-level precision and stable performance across different materials and challenging environments.

• The technology simplifies system integration, reduces total cost, and supports both navigation and detailed 3D reconstruction.

• Orbbec leverages a comprehensive sensor portfolio including stereo vision, structured light, iToF, dToF, and LiDAR for advanced robotic perception.

• Large-scale deployment in global robotics markets supports end-to-end “hand-eye-brain” integration and multi-sensor fusion for intelligent autonomous systems.

Driverless mining trucks begin operating in China

Starting with its LiDAR perception solutions, Vueron Technology is realizing AI-driven innovations in the mobility paradigm to create a safer world.