Blencowe Resources: Aspiring to become one of the largest graphite producers in the world. Watch the video here.
At the 2025 Ram 1500 test drive Monday, vehicle development lead Doug Killian told Edmunds that the full-size pickup will be available with the Hands-Free Active Driving Assist system. As its name suggests, this is a hands-off version of the current Active Driving Assist system that is made up of adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance and other advanced safety features.
Like Ford's BlueCruise, GM's Super Cruise and Toyota's Teammate, sensors monitor your eye position while the system is active. As long as you're watching the road ahead, driving on one of the more than 125,000 of premapped roads and the system is working properly, you can take your hands off the wheel and let the car take control. Lane changing is activated by using the turn signal, with the system looking to see if there are other vehicles in your path and blind spots and then it moves accordingly. As with the other systems noted above, Hands-Free Active Driving Assist is an advanced Level 2 autonomous driving system, sometimes called Level 2.5 or Level 2+.
https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/jeep-debuts-hands-free-driving-system-in-2024-jeep-grand-cherokee.html
A cache of map data from TomTom, a high-definition GPS receiver, and the SUV's cameras and radar determine the suitable roads, an infrared camera on the steering column watches the driver's eyes. When available, drivers press a button on the steering wheel to activate the system, gauge cluster and HUD graphics turning green to indicate HFDA is in operation.
Check out the Motor Authority piece for more details on the system. The 2025 Ram 1500 appears to be next Stellantis brand vehicle to get the system, Ram's retail site touting the feature for the pickup and showing the driver's eye monitor on the steering column. We expect the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer could add HFDA to their configurators before then.
As caught by Motor Authority, Jeep quietly introduced its Hands-Free Active Driving Assist (HFDA) technology two years after announcing it. Press releases from 2021 heralding the 2022 Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer, and Grand Wagoneer touted, "Hands-free Active Driving Assist (late availability) offers hands-off driving at all speeds and lane centering on approved roadways, for even greater driving convenience. The system will predictively slow the vehicle down in tight curves, automatically resume control after driver override and verify that the driver is paying attention to the road." At the end of last year, members of the WL Jeep Forum were still creating threads asking if anyone had heard of HFDA appearing on production vehicles.
Note, HFDA is more advanced than the automaker's Active Driving Assist, the latter essentially being hands-on adaptive cruise control and lane centering. HFDA only works on approved roads, can change lanes after the driver taps the turn signal, and works up to 90 miles per hour.
https://www.autoblog.com/2024/02/20/jeep-grand-cherokee-finally-gets-hands-free-driving-assist-a-2995-option/?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvLnVrLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAAjc_2-Catb4pUbIl5DchwJDRgOGORXu1sdViIw_ZtZP5xg5Ybtdc3-rgNWUbYMG7xughlQ7dx1HsrrvTuEdNuGgYqmTa8pOwvhoyTuITxWqVHS7cNeKMQnCyJhaPOSGUsBzO565CB5KaQhDQv1l3deNd3VXES1h5S1fDhlWpwtT
It seems that both systems will be offered.
1. If OEM fitted, can choose SEE to monitor or not
2. I presume if bought to use with telematics Co they can be in charge of their own monitoring
Hyms
I think bluecruise with Lincoln aswell is about 9 models and 2 more announced coming soon.
GM offers 15 vehicles with Super Cruise, including pickups, SUVs, the Bolt EUV and all Cadillac models. Up until now, it's largest Super Cruise expansion took place in 2022, growing from 200,000 to 400,000 miles.
Drivers using the GM Super Cruise semi-autonomous driver assistance system have driven more than 160 million miles with the technology active, The General has announced, counting only the accident-free trips involving its use for a snapshot of its effectiveness.
GM also notes that 80 percent of Super Cruise users find driving with the help of the system increases relaxation while on the road, and that Super Cruise is rated as the second-most-important factor in buying decisions for GM vehicles.
The General released the total miles driven and customer satisfaction figures at the same time it announced a near-doubling of Super Cruise road coverage in North America. The total extent of roadways offering the system’s hands-free driving will rise from the current 400,000 miles to 750,000 miles once the expansion is complete.
New roadways, including both divided highways and – for the first time – two-lane roads leading to smaller city destinations, will be added incrementally to vehicles equipped with the system. Over-the-air updates are used to expand the network with the highest level of convenience to the vehicle owner. The full rollout of the additional 350,000 miles will be complete by the end of 2025.
https://gmauthority.com/blog/2024/02/gm-super-cruise-users-traveled-160-million-miles-so-far/amp/
General Motors just made a significant hands-free driver assistance announcement that illustrates how different—and similar—GM’s approach is to Tesla ’s . The announcement also demonstrates how the industry talks about driver-assistance technology.
Thursday, GM nearly doubled the network of roads open to Super Cruise hands-free driving technology to 750,000 miles. To put that into perspective, the moon is about 240,000 miles from Earth, and GM says its network is the largest in North America.
Super Cruise can do many driving tasks. It requires human supervision 100% of the time, just like systems from other auto makers.
“GM is all-in on safely deploying Super Cruise as we make the technology available on more vehicles, more roads, and for more people to enjoy,” said Anantha Kancherla, GM vice president of advanced driver assistance technologies, in a news release. “A key part of that is expanding the road network—in this case nearly doubling it again—with LIDAR mapped highways. High-precision LIDAR mapping gives us an operating domain where we are confident in Super Cruise’s abilities.”
https://www.barrons.com/amp/articles/gm-tesla-self-driving-cars-cded83c5
(IN BRIEF) Rheinmetall Dermalog SensorTec GmbH, a joint venture between Rheinmetall AG and DERMALOG Identification Systems GmbH, has clinched a significant order from a leading healthcare company for a cutting-edge system designed to detect distraction and fatigue during final quality control inspections on the production line. This order, serving as a pilot project, carries the potential for substantial future sales and represents a key milestone in Rheinmetall’s strategic expansion into digitalization technology beyond automotive applications. Leveraging biometric technology and AI software, this innovative solution underscores Rheinmetall’s commitment to diversification and market-leading expertise in industrial safety and quality assurance.
(PRESS RELEASE) DÜSSELDORF, 16-Feb-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — The tech enterprise Rheinmetall’s joint venture Rheinmetall Dermalog SensorTec GmbH has received a highly promising order from a world-leading company in the healthcare sector. The order is for a system that detects distraction and fatigue during final quality control checks on the production line. Intended to serve as an initial test system, the order offers potential for total sales volume in the lower single-digit million-euro range following a successful start, while simultaneously opening market access to the industrial sector.
The manufacturer uses the system to check for distraction and fatigue at its factory during final inspection of medical products to assure steady high quality and safety by making sure the responsible person is paying attention. In winning this order, the company has achieved its strategic goal of integrating biometric technology, AI software and digitalization solutions in industrial settings, adding to its expertise in driver monitoring and access control. For Rheinmetall, this first order from an industrial customer marks an important step in the shift to digitalization technology and the expansion of the portfolio beyond automotive interiors, in harmony with the Group’s electrification strategy and the strategic development of its ‘beyond automotive’ policy of expanding into other industries. Furthermore, the application of biometrics in industry and security is also helping to foster this forward-looking diversification.
https://news.europawire.eu/rheinmetalls-joint-venture-secures-major-healthcare-sector-order-for-innovative-fatigue-detection-system/eu-press-release/2024/02/16/12/25/59/130000/
While Mercedes-Benz's Attention Assist represents a leap forward in combating driver fatigue, the technology community is not resting on its laurels. A notable advancement is the development of a system designed to detect driver sleepiness through the analysis of eye closure and yawning, employing cutting-edge computer vision and machine-learning algorithms. This system, structured around three core modules—preprocessing, analysis, and alarm activation—boasts the MobileNet deep learning model at its core. Impressively, it has achieved a staggering 99.52% accuracy in predicting drowsiness from image datasets. The implications of such a system for real-time monitoring are profound, offering a glimpse into a future where technology not only enhances driving experience but also fortifies it against human vulnerabilities.
https://bnnbreaking.com/tech/mercedes-benzs-attention-assist-a-leap-forward-in-combating-driver-fatigue
Chrysler has recently made headlines with the unveiling of its latest innovation, the Halcyon. This futuristic vehicle promises to revolutionize the automotive industry with its cutting-edge electric and autonomous driving technologies.
The Halcyon represents a significant leap forward in the realm of electric and autonomous vehicles, boasting state-of-the-art features designed to enhance safety, efficiency, and convenience on the road. With its sleek design and advanced propulsion system, the Halcyon offers a glimpse into the future of transportation. Equipped with autonomous driving capabilities, it promises a hands-free driving experience, allowing passengers to sit back and relax while the vehicle navigates through traffic with precision and ease. Additionally, its electric powertrain ensures environmentally friendly operation, making it a sustainable option for eco-conscious consumers. With the Halcyon, Chrysler is setting new standards for innovation in the automotive industry.
As Chrysler unveils the Halcyon, it signals a bold step forward in the evolution of electric and autonomous driving technologies. With its futuristic design and cutting-edge features, the Halcyon represents the future of transportation, offering a glimpse into a world where driving is safer, more efficient, and more sustainable.
https://electrek.co/2024/02/13/chrysler-unveils-radical-halcyon-ev-concept-with-unlimited-range/
Everyday cars are turning more into fighter jets. BMW's new eye-tracking Highway Assistant technology—part of its Driving Assistance Professional package on the redesigned 2024 5 Series and all-new i5 electric—is just the latest example. Like a helmet-mounted sight, it's capable of directing hands-free lane changes at highway speeds, all with a purposeful look.
More variants of the i7 full-size electric sedan also emerge for 2024, and several other models see small upgrades. Keep reading for what's new on every 2024 BMW car.
https://www.motortrend.com/features/new-bmw-cars-lineup-updates-changes-2024/
Wasn’t this us?
Without fanfare, Stellantis entered the Level 2 hands-free driver-assist system game late in 2023.
Stellantis’ system is named Hands-Free Active Driving Assist, and it launched with the 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Motor Authority has unearthed some insights into how the system works and its hardware, but we are left with some questions that currently have no answers.
Below, we break down what we know about Hands-Free Active Driving Assist so far, what has yet to be shared, and some key similarities and differences between it and Ford’s BlueCruise and GM’s Super Cruise systems
What is Hands-Free Active Driving Assist?
Confusingly, Stellantis offers an Active Driving Assist system and a Hands-Free Active Driving Assist system. The former is a fancy term for Stellantis’ active lane control, also known as lane-keeping assist, which requires hands on the wheel at all times. This system can be used on any road with visible lane markings.
Hands-Free Active Driving Assist is Stellantis’ new system, and it enables hands-free driving, but only on mapped roads.
Making matters more confusing, Jeep’s website swaps the two terms in certain places, but Hands-Free Active Driving Assist is more involved and has greater capabilities.
https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1142310_stellantis-hands-free-active-driving-assist-system-launched
NEW BMW 5 SERIES GETS ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
Driving the new 5 Series is enjoyable, but the latest advanced driving-assistance systems can take over some of those tasks. For example, for the first time on the 5 Series, BMW offers Highway Assistant, which works with the Active Driving Assistant system to provide hands-free highway driving capability.
Highway Assistant is available only on designated limited-access freeways and with a destination plugged into the native navigation system. You activate it like a typical adaptive cruise-control system. I set the speed at 70 mph, and with all criteria met, the lights on the steering wheel turned green, letting me know it was safe to let go of the wheel.
The system keeps the car in the center of the lane, even when going around curves, and if it comes upon a slower vehicle, the speed adjusts to maintain a safe distance from the car ahead. At that point, the system asked me via a message on the driver display if I wanted to change lanes to go around the slower vehicle. A glance in the left mirror is all the confirmation the system needed, and the turn signal activated as the car changed lanes on its own, returning to 70 mph. During my evaluation, Highway Assistant worked flawlessly and is an ideal driving aid for long freeway trips.
It's important to note that this is not a fully autonomous drive system. A camera watched my eyes and head, and when I looked away for more than five seconds, the Highway Assistant warned me to pay attention.
https://www.capitalone.com/cars/learn/finding-the-right-car/2024-bmw-530i-first-drive-review-the-sport-sedan-lives/3011
One reason not so many numbers it seems.
If I could go back — recognizing manufacturing is a competitive advantage for us — but as we were manufacturing some new things ... spending more time in planning and risk assessment," Barra said, when asked what she would have done differently in 2023.
Barra has said GM’s production of its new EVs that use GM's proprietary Ultium propulsion system hit a snag last year due to troubles assembling battery cells into the battery modules. GM has since fixed its battery module production, she said, and now the company must flawlessly execute EV production.
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Her other regret is not building GM's new software team sooner because, "That’s going to be very, very important in the latter part of the decade to unlock the software business we’ve talked about. Those are two things I think would have strengthened our performance last year. But we’ve addressed both of them.”
Midsize pickups parked awaiting fixes
Last fall, GM paused some key EV launches to make engineering changes to its newest EVs coming to market. The launches of the Chevrolet Equinox EV, the retail Chevrolet Silverado EV RST and GMC Sierra EV Denali pickups have all been delayed by a few months, but are expected this year.
https://eu.freep.com/story/money/cars/general-motors/2024/02/15/barra-gm-software-ev-launches-2024/72613737007/
Seems to me they all worried about Chinese EVs. We now have GM Ford & now even Mercedes looking to make cheaper EVs to compete.
As long as have SEE DMS ;)
Mercedes-Benz to shift rom high-end models and EVs in hopes of topping 300,000 in U.S. sales this year.
https://www.autonews.com/retail/mercedes-pivots-focus-lower-priced-models-drive-sales
Seize, one thing that makes me want to Scream!!!
Geotab must of posted 20 posts about the event and ive seen dozens of posts from staff at the event, the welcome party last night etc.
We not even posed a pic of the stand and 1 post on here i seen about being there.
I thought exhibitions were about a marketing dept shouting from the rooftop and getting as many customers as possible to come see you.
After 31 yrs of doing shows around the World these lot in marketing make me look for my heart and blood presure pills.
Marketing dept 1/10
Ford bringing out new models, GM increasing models, BMW adding models, VW starting production.
The next 2 TPIs will give an indication of how the ramp up is going.
Ford has opened its new £24m ‘propulsion development laboratory’ at its UK headquarters in Dunton, which will play a key role in delivering the manufacturer’s electric vehicle (EV) plans.
The new facility, which was opened by transport minister Anthony Browne on Wednesday (February 14), comprises eight vehicle-size rooms capable of testing electric power units and propulsion systems.
He said: “It was fantastic to visit Ford and test drive their new BlueCruise technology as well as open its state-of-the-art modular test lab, which are essential for scaling up the UK’s electric vehicle production.
“It’s great to see a commitment to UK EV development following our ZEV mandate becoming law earlier this year, meaning we have a clear pathway for reducing car and van emissions.”
Ford is launching nine new EV vans and cars by 2025, including five van-based vehicles.
https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/ford-opens-24m-electric-vehicle-test-lab
DETROIT (AP) — General Motors is adding about 350,000 miles (563,000 kilometers) of roadways in the U.S and Canada to the area where drivers can use the company’s “Super Cruise” partially automated driving system.
The expansion nearly doubles the road miles where the system can run. It includes both limited-access divided highways as well as some two-lane roads connecting cities to smaller towns and smaller towns to each other, the company said.
GM said the driver-assist system is ready to handle some roads with intersections and crossing traffic, which have been troublesome for systems from other companies such as Tesla.
Kelly Funkhouser, associate director of vehicle technology at Consumer Reports’ auto test center, said Super Cruise has one of the best driver-monitoring systems in the industry, with an infrared camera to make sure drivers are paying attention.
https://apnews.com/article/general-motors-super-cruise-partially-automated-expanding-a445ca180b2d573ba81e7dfeadd1bff1
Sounds like there will be plenty of tech as standard too, with a parking assistance system, “Level 2 autonomous driving” (a la Tesla Autopilot or GM’s Super Cruise) and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
https://www.topgear.com/car-news/electric/new-lancia-ypsilon-a-peugeot-208-a-sharp-italian-suit