At a time when the entire auto industry is racing toward the long-sought goal of fully autonomous driving, recent headlines about General Motors' apparent abandonment of its Ultra Cruise advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) seemed out of step with the way everything is going. Even if its electric vehicle and robotaxi initiatives had a tough year, why walk away from that goal? The reason, a GM official said, kind of comes down to marketing: Ultra Cruise is about to be merged with the much more well-known Super Cruise.
"GM is not scaling back its advanced driver assistance (ADAS) programs," GM spokesperson Aimee Ridella told InsideEVs today. "We have reallocated our ADAS-focused resources to bring even more capability to Super Cruise under one recognizable consumer brand."
This comes after reports that indicated the Ultra Cruise program was to be canceled, which is only partially true. The key part of the original CNBC story this came from, sources said, is this: "GM has decided to instead focus on the current Super Cruise system and expanding its capabilities rather than having two different, similarly named systems."
https://insideevs.com/news/704883/gm-ultra-cruise-super-cruise/
Driver distraction is a significant risk factor in traffic. Research has shown that car drivers are engaged in distracting activities for about half of all driving time. Common sources of driver distraction include using a mobile phone or other device, adjusting in-vehicle infotainment systems, interacting with passengers and eating. These are among the findings of the European Road Safety Observatory’s new thematic report on driver distraction.
Activities that require the driver to avert their gaze from the road, such as dialling or texting, are particularly dangerous. Distracted drivers can swerve more, have longer reaction times, and often miss information from the traffic environment, including other road users.
The mobile phone is one of the most common sources of driver distraction. Nearly one in three European drivers admits to having used a handheld mobile phone for conversation, and nearly one in four admits to having done so to check texts or social media. Young people are more likely to use a mobile phone while driving than older drivers. Overall, using a hand-held phone increases the crash risk by around 2.5 times.
The report also highlights effective measures against distracted driving, which include: strict enforcement of bans on the use of handheld devices, including through the use of smart cameras: building rumble strips into road infrastructure; awareness campaigns; driver education through licensing; and in-vehicle technology that warns or intervenes when departing from a lane or approaching too close to a vehicle in front.
https://road-safety.transport.ec.europa.eu/news-events/news/new-report-european-road-safety-observatory-focus-distraction-2024-01-11_en
The Ultra Cruise system was initially planned to debut in 2023 and eventually be capable of driving itself in 95% of scenarios, but progress has been unclear.
Two sources familiar with the system told CNBC that the automaker is ending the Ultra Cruise program. One source said GM has decided to instead focus on the current Super Cruise system and expanding its capabilities rather than having two different, similarly named systems.
Darryll Harrison Jr., GM vice president of global technology communications, declined to comment on specifics of Ultra Cruise but said: “GM continues to expand access to and increase the capability of Super Cruise, our advanced driver assistance technology. Our focus remains on safely deploying this technology across GM brands and more vehicle categories while expanding to even more roads.”
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/15/for-10-year-gm-ceo-mary-barra-2024-is-about-change-and-crisis.html
The BMW Group – parent company of BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce – has reported record sales of 2,555,341 cars for 2023, with electric vehicle numbers rising by 74.4%.
This record rise – a 6.5% increase on 2022’s 2,399,636 – was largely driven by the BMW brand, which reported a 7.3% year-on-year increase to 2,253,835 sales.
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/business-car-sales/bmw-group-makes-record-sales-2023-ev-interest-grows-74
Doing well in China aswell
Notably, BMW's pure electric vehicle segment demonstrated robust performance in China last year, with annual deliveries totaling 99,972 units, showcasing an impressive soar of over 138% year-on-year. Notably, its pure electric models have achieved monthly sales exceeding 10,000 units in both November and December 2023.
BMW has six battery-electric models available in the world’s largest auto market in 2023, with the BMW i3 and the iX3 emerging as the highest-selling electric offerings. The upcoming market launch of the innovative pure electric BMW i5 this month signifies BMW's foray into the smart electric era, ensuring the brand's coverage across all major market segments in China.
In the realm of electrification, intelligent technology and digitalization remain pivotal in engaging consumers. In response to China's evolving digital needs, BMW extensively upgraded its R&D framework in 2023, leveraging local capabilities to drive digital innovation. BMW has obtained licenses for L3 highway/expressway autonomous vehicle tests in Shanghai, pledging to develop L3 autonomous driving systems adhering to the highest safety standards, with plans for market deployment in China at an appropriate time.
https://autonews.gasgoo.com/m/70030598.html
Boon
In the past we’ve had collaboration after collaboration and mostly does nothing for the SP.
The main point in business & obviously the only thing that will move this is winning contracts consistently. Then proving that the figures produce money.
Was hoping a big win announcement this week from Magna or us. But alas….
We are thrilled to announce that, for the first time in our history, 202,530 BMW M vehicles were delivered worldwide in a single year.
This marks 2023 as a record-breaking year for our sales volume, with a 14.3% increase compared to the 2022 financial year. The all-electric BMW i4 M50 was once again the best-selling model, and the BMW M3 Sedan became the most successful high-performance BMW M worldwide, showing our success across all drive-trains and our audience’s trust in the M logo as a seal of quality.
In addition to the upcoming model revision for the three most successful high-performance series BMW M3, BMW M4 and BMW M2, the new edition of the BMW M5 is in the starting blocks for the upcoming model year 2024. The new generation of the high-performance model in the luxury class will not only be available as a sedan, but as the BMW M5 Touring it will also provide further impetus for the conquest of new target groups. Prior to this, the BMW i5 M60 xDrive Touring will complement the range of all-electric performance cars.
A huge thank you to all of our customers, supporters, and fans for an incredible year – we look forward to continuing to drive the BMW M brand this upcoming year.
Boon
Search the Magna press from 9th Jan. Here’s the text.
AURORA, Ontario, Jan. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At CES 2024, leading mobility technology company Magna introduced a breath and camera-based pre-development technology designed to combat impaired driving. The cutting-edge solution represents a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to enhance road safety.
The new safety technology determines if drivers are “fit to drive” in a fast, reliable and affordable way. The integrated solution combines key elements of the interior sensing system, which utilizes camera technology to detect driver distraction, drowsiness and intoxication through pupillary signals, with infrared sensor technology developed by Senseair, a leader in air and gas sensing.
The best bit….
The occupant monitoring mirror was clearly installed in the ID.7 on display at the Cerence/VW press conference Monday, so must be due to go into production imminently. There's a second generation product in the works too, but that is Magna's story to tell. Based on what I have seen here at CES, this product is simply miles in front of everything else.
Have seen it for myself at #ces2024. Here is the Magna International Seeing Machines #driver and #occupant #monitoring #mirror #DMS #OMS. That's me in the back taking the picture. In a Q&A Tuesday, Magna's Peter Spencley confirmed that the solution is fully compliant with Euro NCAP - For Safer Cars, Vans & Trucks 2023 test protocols for both owl and lizard movement detection. The occupant monitoring mirror was clearly installed in the ID.7 on display at the Cerence/VW press conference Monday, so must be due to go into production imminently. There's a second generation product in the works too, but that is Magna's story to tell. Based on what I have seen here at CES, this product is simply miles in front of everything else. If you are attending The Autonocast party tonight, come and ask me about it.
This is only new vehicles so the existing aftermarket is probably 50-100 times this.
If $30 month monitoring + $1000 hardware on a 6 yr contract then each unit brings in $3000.
Far higher than a $10-12 car unit as a one off.
6/10 SEE
American EVs: 10 Vehicles We're Looking Forward To In 2024
https://www.topspeed.com/american-evs-we-are-looking-forward-to/#lucid-gravity
Fisker stock on the rise following EV deliveries update
In its December business update, Fisker announced it had built 10,142 Ocean electric SUVs this year, delivering roughly 4,700.
“We became a revenue-generating company in 2023,” CEO Henrik Fisker explained. The growth comes despite several supply chain issues that led to early delays. Fisker said the company has “largely overcome” them as it looks ahead to a new year.
Fisker began delivering vehicles in June. The company said EV deliveries rose over 300% from Q3 to Q4.
With 1,097 Ocean EVs sold in Q3, that suggests Fisker delivered around 3,600 EVs in the fourth quarter. Fisker began delivering in Canada in December and is now in 12 markets in total.
Most of the EVs delivered were the Fisker Ocean One launch edition, starting at around $69,000. Earlier this week, Fisker handed over its first Ocean Sport model. The electric SUV features up to 231 miles EPA range and starts under $40,000.
https://electrek.co/2023/12/29/fisker-fsr-stock-bounces-ev-deliveries-climb-300/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=linkedin
The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the interconnected network of physical devices, vehicles, buildings, and other objects embedded with sensors, software, and connectivity capabilities. These devices can collect and exchange data with each other and central systems, enabling real-time monitoring, analysis, and control. IoT has profoundly impacted various industries by enabling more innovative and more efficient operations, data-driven decision-making, and improved customer experiences.
AI encompasses a range of technologies that enable machines to learn, adapt, and make decisions, mimicking human intelligence. AI algorithms can analyse vast amounts of data, identify patterns, make predictions, and optimise processes, leading to automation and intelligent decision-making. Big Data refers to the massive volume, high velocity, and varied nature of data generated by IoT devices, social media interactions, online transactions, and other sources. This data is too complex and voluminous to be processed by traditional data management methods.
IoT, AI, and big data have transformed manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, retail, transportation, and smart cities industries. In manufacturing, these technologies enable the monitoring and controlling machinery and equipment, optimising production processes and reducing downtime. AI & IoT devices are used in healthcare for remote patient monitoring, efficient inventory management, and improved patient care. Agriculture benefits from IoT powered by AI and big data are helping by enabling precision farming techniques, efficient irrigation systems, and real-time crop health monitoring. IoT & AI technologies enhance customer experiences in retail through personalised offerings, inventory management, and smart checkout systems. Smart cities leverage IoT to optimise resource utilisation, enhance public safety, and improve infrastructure management.
https://www.metrorailnews.in/addressing-transport-challenges-and-preparing-for-the-future/
The automotive industry has entered into a new era of vehicular safety, where in-car systems initially designed to keep you alive are also being marketed as quality-of-life improvements. What once was something only discussed with your insurance adjustor is now technology you might covet on your next commute.
While virtually every car on the road today offers some aspect of advanced driver assistance system, or ADAS, a choice few go above and beyond. No longer marketed just to concerned parents, they’re increasingly positioned as next-generation helpers, onboard luxury assets for stressed-out business people with the promise of reducing blood pressure at the touch of a button.
For the first time in North America, we even have a Level 3 automated system where, in limited circumstances, the car is capable of driving itself, its manufacturer liable for any collision.
But which of these competing systems with aspirational names like Super Cruise and Full Self-Driving is best at making your commute easier? And, are any of them worth their considerable price of entry?
The cars
These are the systems we tested and the cars in which we tested them:
BMW Highway Assistant: 2023 BMW i7 xDrive60
Chevrolet Super Cruise: 2023 Chevrolet Suburban 4WD High Country
Ford BlueCruise: 2023 Ford Mach-E Premium AWD
Mercedes-Benz Active Distance Assist Distronic with Active Steering Assist and Drive Pilot: 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS
Tesla Full Self-Driving: 2021 Model Y with FSD beta software version 11.4.2
That leaves the hands-off systems from BMW, Ford and Chevrolet to duke it out for top honors. The lack of automatic lane changes in BMW’s current implementation of Highway Assistant makes it feel less advanced, but that feature is coming soon.
Both Ford BlueCruise and Chevrolet’s Super Cruise performed remarkably well, more or less on par. Super Cruise’s hands-off lane changes and broader ODD give it a slight edge. But, that Ford has evolved its system to this point in only two years, and Super Cruise has been on the market for more than five, means that the Blue Oval has the momentum here.
https://techcrunch.com/2023/12/28/how-tesla-bmw-ford-gm-and-mercedes-driver-assist-systems-compare/?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFdZpLrRN_NmNeRhGIXx9b1-O9X-i9gPQ84bUknHckuhZjyUbVAA63XMiM5oNqHediZ_ZYdev_eO8Zn5dWWGzXxdz2nM9L0kFViC4a4BGbCrabv6itBoUZfBCVEogaVLpYDNDwFYK28XfrSxntgb5LU-vbRS7laoJi8R4QuCXRZb
Seize
I will put my hand up as being frustrated last 12 months for sure.
Iam split 97% SEE & 3% So YTD is even worse than your + 100% & -10%
SEE -17%
SEYE + 135%
Every £100k in SEYE is now £235k
Every £100k in SEE is £83k
Too right iam bleedin frustrated..............
Still holding in there as expect some good things early 2024
Ford announced Thursday that its F-Series trucks achieved a historic milestone, having held the title of America’s best-selling truck and best-selling vehicle for over four decades.
Ford said 2023 will mark the 47th consecutive year that it made the best-selling truck in the U.S., while it will also be the 42nd consecutive year with the best-selling vehicle in America.
"It’s a streak that spans four generations (and started when I was only four) and has lasted longer than the entire lifespan of many other popular consumer products, including compact discs and mp3 players, and the entire brick-and-mortar video rental industry," Rob Kaffl, director of U.S. marketing and sales for Ford, wrote on the company website. "But this accolade is not a walk down memory lane; F-Series continues to grow and in 2023, remained the best-selling vehicle in the nation for the 42nd year in a row," he added.
Ford F-Series trucks also celebrated achieving what the company called the "Truck Triple Crown" – having made the best-selling full-size electric truck and best-selling full-size hybrid truck in addition to the top-selling pickup truck in 2023.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/ford-celebrates-historic-milestone-for-f-series-trucks
New FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker said he has asked the panel led by former National Transportation Safety Board member Mark Rosekind, a sleep expert, to make recommendations in about six weeks.
The three-member panel will begin work in January and "examine how the latest science on sleep needs and fatigue considerations could be applied to controller work requirements and scheduling."
Whitaker told Reuters he wants "to have a better understanding of what the risk is" of controller fatigue. He said he is concerned about the impact of long-term six-day work weeks.
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/panel-review-us-air-traffic-controller-fatigue-after-near-miss-incidents-2023-12-20/
Kelly Funkhouser, the nonprofit organization’s associate director of vehicle technology, tells TechCrunch she discovered it’s still possible to cover the cabin camera while using Autopilot, meaning drivers can neutralize one of the two main ways the car monitors if they are paying attention to the road.
What’s more, Funkhouser says she did not notice any differences when activating or using Autopilot’s flagship feature, Autosteer, outside of the controlled-access highways where Tesla says the software is designed to be used.
While the testing isn’t comprehensive, it shows questions remain unanswered about Tesla’s approach to driver monitoring — the tech at the heart of the recall.
The group, which has a long history of critically evaluating both Tesla’s tech and its vehicles, plans to do more extensive testing in the coming weeks. Funkhouser says Consumer Reports has not yet evaluated other changes, like more prominent visual alerts on the Model 3 sedan and Model Y SUV, because it has only received the over-the-air software update on its Model S sedan.
Tesla also added a suspension policy that will deactivate Autopilot for one week if “improper usage” is detected, which Funkhouser said she did not encounter during two drives lasting between 15 and 20 miles each.
https://techcrunch.com/2023/12/20/tesla-autopilot-recall-consumer-reports/amp/?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvLnVrLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAM3mFqJxksQ68AgZ3e2FCL8N_r2Qs-8vO3j7-vn2KKutYiEBfQ1UMx7Z1K3HLvBYrN86lAfLrFYaZEk9dJQiUsmnAfQ197vdFkivJP2ax1p3_4IB2pEFUINFT9xvfrLT0jlsRKI0r8RndUl5w_YgNhQnhdIW-VE4JnXtQRwI2BYG
Https://lnkd.in/gFKa3PrU
Who would have expected this headline 5 years ago? This is an excellent and thorough review that shows why BMW is doing well with their BEV transition. It is obvious an electric BMW is still first and foremost, a BMW.
https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1141797_2024-bmw-i5-ev-test-drive-review