TomTom, which specializes in location technology, has announced that it will work with DENSO—a global automotive components manufacturer— on its software platform for autonomous vehicles.
The companies will develop a complete autonomous driving system by combing TomTom's High Definition (HD) Map with DENSO in-vehicle sensors such as cameras and radars to power the localization, perception and path planning functions for the system.
“This collaboration proves the value of the TomTom HD Map and TomTom AutoStream as critical components for autonomous vehicles,” says Harold Goddijn, CEO, TomTom.
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Ouster says its newest lidar sensor is the highest resolution lidar on the market
On Jan. 3, Ouster announced the OS-1-128, the company’s newest multi-beam flash lidar sensor.
Ideal for “safety-critical robotics applications” such as autonomous vehicles, the OS-1-128 is the highest resolution lidar on the market, Ouster says.
With no change in size, mass, power consumption, or ruggedness compared to the OS-1-64, the OS-1-128 continues to deliver on the promise of “Moore's Law-esque” product improvements enabled from Ouster's Multi-Beam Flash Lidar architecture, the company explains.
Priced at $18,000, the OS-1-128 is six times cheaper than the competing 128-channel lidar sensor, according to Ouster, allowing the company to extend its commitment of providing the lowest pricing at every performance level.
Ford and Michigan State renew and expand research partnership that covers autonomous technology
Ford Motor Company and Michigan State University (MSU) recently announced the renewal and expansion of their collaborative research alliance, which will facilitate continued collaboration between the two entities in a variety of fields, including autonomous technology and mobility.
Ford and MSU say that by strengthening their research and development partnership, they will be able to develop a broad range of innovations, with a focus on the aforementioned autonomous technology and mobility, as well as sensors and lightweight materials.
Over the course of their four-year partnership thus far, Ford and MSU have worked together on several successful projects, including collaborations in advanced engines, composite materials and information technology.
uAvionix selects Leesburg, Virginia, as the location for its 'HQ2'
Amazon isn't the only company to select northern Virginia for its second headquarters. On a smaller scale, uAvionix has announced plans to establish an office location in Leesburg, Virginia.
Known as “HQ2,” the location was selected after uAvionix compared important criteria such as transportation options, talent availability, and local craft beer quality during a nationwide search for the perfect location.
Expected to open in Feb. 2019, HQ2 will focus on business operations, development, and regulatory engagement, especially in the UAS market.
Robotiq to use funding to enhance its standing in collaborative-robotics market
Robotiq, which provides tools and software for the collaborative-robotics market, has announced that it raised $31 million in funding during its first round of institutional financing. The funding will be used to develop products, expand internationally, and enhance support of the company’s partner ecosystem.
Robotiq develops equipment such as specially designed, plug-and-play “grippers” that can handle manufacturing tasks previously done by human hands. The company also develops force sensors, camera technology and related software, which can be used to help with a variety of manufacturing tasks such as picking up and placing certain components or products, light assembly, finishing, and quality testing.
Cape partners with Consortiq to offer best-in-class UAS training and management consulting services to its customers
Cape, which builds software that unlocks the “true potential of drones,” has partnered with Consortiq to provide its customers access to best-in-class UAS training and management consulting services.
One of just three commercial companies certified to deliver training for AUVSI’s Top Operator Program (TOP), Consortiq was also awarded first place in the Training & Education Organization category during AUVSI’s inaugural Xcellence Awards earlier this year.
WhiteFox to use latest funding to help advance its mission of safely integrating UAS into airspace
WhiteFox Defense Technologies Inc. has raised an additional $12 million in a Series Seed round, bringing the total investment in the company to $14 million so far.
WhiteFox says that it will use this funding to scale its operations, prepare to launch new product lines into the market and continue to develop its proprietary technology to advance its mission of safely integrating UAS into the airspace.
“This is an enormous step forward for safely ushering drones into the national airspace system,” says Luke Fox, CEO of WhiteFox Defense Technologies.