EV Magazine - June 2023

HERITAGE Vs DIGITAL:

WHICH BEST DEFINES A LUXURY EV?

As luxury takes various forms, electrification opens the market to various applicants looking to showcase their intricate, digitally enabled masterpieces

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WELCOME

A LUXURY, TREND, OR NECESSITY?

By now, you’ll know that the EV industry incorporates more than just cars. The idea here is more relatable to e-mobility and how people can interact differently with various transport mechanisms.

While it’s important to raise climate concerns and the impact that electrification is having on the industry, it’s all about recognising the innovative spirit of companies that were once heavily

reliant on fossil fuels to power their vehicles, and the acceptance of their customers as they looking to higher quality and a better experience from electrified mobility.

Recognising that priorities can differ among consumers is critical in forming a transformation approach that will nurture them into becoming greener without compromise.

TOM SWALLOW EDITOR-IN-CHIEF tom.swallow@bizclikmedia.com

UP FRONT

FEATURES

024 COVER STORY

Heritage vs Digital: Which best defines a luxury EV?

036 VODAFONE AUTOMOTIVE

Connected mobility builds safety into road infrastructure

050 CONNECTED CAR

ADAS is a nice-to-have that electric vehicles must have

058 CHARGING & INFRASTRUCTURE

Batteries make history and enable zero-emission mobility

066 FLEET & COMMERCIAL

How does a large hire fleet copewith a lack of EV chargers?

074 MOBILITY

The sound of EV safety is an exciting prospect for drivers

82 TOP TEN

Autonomous EV solutions developers

HAS TOYOTA TURNED THINGS

Toyota’s efforts to decarbonise its vehicles took place long before many other OEMs. With the launch of its Prius back in 1997, the company has taken a much more gradual approach to decarbonisation.

Now, the company has a fresh mind at the top of the organisational chart who is committed to the cause, advocating for BEVs and other forms of the zeroemissions transport. With Koji Sato at

the helm, Toyota released the first ever Lexus EV this year and last year the Toyota bZ4X, but we’re curious to see how far the company will go as it looks to deliver more hydrogen options to benefit those reluctant to switch due to range.

The company is looking to expand on its efforts to bring hydrogen into the fold as it covers multiple bases. The global sales of its Toyota Mirai reached 21,475 units in November 2022.

CONNECTED EV s CAN SAVE LIVES

There’s more to electrification than meets the eye. It’s important to emphasise why sustainability is so important in the first place –to secure a happy, healthy future for generations to come.

It’s a matter of safety for everything that lives, but one of the biggest killers in the modern day is mobility. Road traffic collisions are ranked the eighth leading cause of death across the globe, with more than 1.35m lives taken every year from being in the wrong place at the wrong time, or making the wrong decisions.

Although many consumers may be sceptical about autonomous driving and technology playing a leading role in developing a sustainable mobility network, AI’s ability to make decisions is based on far more information than humans themselves can possibly conceive and execution times that can only be described as ‘lightspeed’ in comparison.

EVs are connected to everything, and vice versa, which is enabling data

sharing in real-time to understand exactly how the road networks look and change in a matter of seconds. This is known to many as vehicle-toeverything (V2X) and is the result of years of work, alongside continuous research and innovation, in allowing drivers to gain the necessary insights from other vehicles on the road and the infrastructure over their heads.

In the October 2022 issue of EV Magazine, we touched upon the idea of the connected car, only to realise that connectivity is already taking place across many facets of mobility. Organisations are looking at how cars can talk to the world around them and cast a watchful eye over drivers as they navigate the roads sustainably.

Connectivity may not be exclusive to EVs, but the latest BEV platforms provide a basis for more connected services. As everything in an electrified vehicle is powered by its computer, sensors, and camera systems, data is more easily accessible to it, making it transferable to everyone.

AWARD-WINNING OF TECHNOLOGY

AWARD-WINNING COMBINATION

TECHNOLOGY AND LUXURY

Digital is driving the new era of luxury and the HiPhi X presents a glimpse nto future of technology, comfort, and electrified vehicles

Vehicles built by HiPhi are based on three guiding principles: “design defined by scenarios, vehicle defined by software, value defined by co-creation”.

We can only assume this means there are no boundaries in the way of the company's achievements as it builds careers that revolutionise automotive. The HiPhi X is its luxury SUV that brings together all that any driver could possibly imagine from one of the most technologically advanced automobiles.

The car has some unique features, such as the gullwing roof panels that carefully slot in above its reversed rear doors – a staple feature of any luxury automobile that we’re sure Rolls-Royce will attest to.

HIPHI X:

The HiPhi not only features some great digitally-enabled features and luxurious movements, but it also keeps up with its SUV brothers and sisters across various markets when it comes to the figures.

It was designed to be intelligent, immersive, and pique the imagination of the driver and passengers. With many innovative features coming through in various EV models, HiPhi has gone above and beyond to recognise these – which also enables the HiPhi X to provide benefits beyond those on the market.

The HiPhi X is given an immersive cabin experience thanks to its HiPhiGo, incorporating voice command technology alongside AI to blend arts and cultures by generating videos, songs and poems for the user.

The EV does more than simply transport its users, being capable of entertaining drivers with creative licence to adapt to mobility experience as it moves.

To allow drivers to sit back and enjoy the HiPhi X performance, it comes equipped with six safety systems that leverage 5G connectivity for high-speed data sharing, automatic parking assist, as well as other systems to help keep drivers safe while cruising.

Known as HiPhi Pilot, the on-board ADAS leverages aerospace-level design adopted for dual-redundancy systems that operate simultaneously. WATCH

ELLIS SPIEZIA

Ellis Spiezia tells us about his journey in racing and how it led him to become an electric vehicle racing driver and sustainability influencer has become a great influence to his generation both in terms of sustainability and racing. Featuring in Sustainability Magazine LIVE New York, we caught up with Spiezia after the fact for an exclusive interview about his journey.

Drawn to the excitement of racing at a young age, Ellis Spiezia is a keen advocate of electric racing as a sustainability initiative – motorsport of the future. He moved from kart racing to sim and indoor karting in 2017 and found his natural racing ability led him to excel in motorsport.

He took part in his first Lucas Oil Race School event in a beginner open wheel car, leading him to focus on electric racing. After 2 years competing in European eKart championships, Spiezia switched to road cars in 2022, driving electric formulas & Ford Fiesta.

Fast-forward to today and Spiezia expects to race the electric Mini with NXT Gen Cup, electric formula, in the ERA Championship, and also some combustion TCR.

At just 17 years old, he is an eloquent speaker who evangelises positive actions to mitigate climate change and

HOW DID YOUR LOVE FOR RACING COME ABOUT?

Cars have been an interest for me as far back as I can remember. I don’t come from a motorsport family, but my grandfather is a massive car guy. After playing Forza on my XBOX 24/7 and him teaching me how to drive a five speed, I was hooked.

The constant chase of micro improvements was very addictive and I also enjoyed diving into the history of motorsport once I found that passion. I read, watched and studied everything about racing. I still do. It’s a passion, but it’s also what I think makes the difference between a fast driver and a great driver.

TURNING GENERATION Z TO GENERATION E

AT WHAT POINT DID YOU BECOME AWARE OF THE SUSTAINABILITY ISSUE?

Motorsport obviously isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think about sustainability.

We initially chose electric motorsport because of the parity of materials, lower costs and the technology aspects. But this naturally led us to embrace and understand how electric motorsport is innovating for sustainability.

As I've gained experience as a driver, I have also gained experience in the sustainability space and really enjoy using the platform we have gained over the years to push a positive message and have an opportunity to develop new technologies.

HOW DOES YOUR ROLE IN RACING HELP DRIVE TOWARDS MORE SUSTAINABLE RACING AND, ULTIMATELY, ROAD USE?

Motorsport has always been the testing ground for new technology that eventually

ends up on the road. The cars we drive now are developing the components you will see in your day to day commute in the future and in all kinds of products beyond automotive.

While developing this new technology, I get to use my voice as an athlete to inspire the younger generations that will be the ones to help make an impact, and electric motorsport is a super cool way to inspire people and get them curious about sustainability.

How knowledgeable is your generation about climate change and what do you hope to teach them?

I think, with the internet, we have more access to information than ever. The role I hope to have is to show them the impact they can have and educate them even more in a super cool way with electric racing.

Our generation is full of the people that will be the change-makers in the future,

but I think the most important thing I can do is present a positive attitude. There is too much fear in the narrative being created by the media and current people in power and I don’t believe this inspires young people to take action or feel ncouraged about our future.

What’s next for you in your racing career? This year I will compete in 2 electric championships, ERA, and Next Gen Cup, and support my driver development with combustion TCR. I will use these championships to prove my driving ability to manufacturers and teams at the top level like Formula E and work toward making relationships that can secure my future in the sport.

We will just have to see how this year goes when the racing kicks off – the proof is in the pace. I’ll also keep doing lots of speaking events and STEM workshops to support future #electricrenegades and inspire innovation in this space.

DID YOU KNOW DID YOU KNOW

THE REVENUE FROM THE EV MARKET IS EXPECTED TO REACH US$61.18BN BY THE END OF 2023 AT A REVENUE CAGR OF 22.79%. BY 2027, THE MARKET WILL MORE THAN DOUBLE IN VALUE –ACCORDING TO STATISTA.

“IN LONDON, THE RAPID NETWORK WAS, AND STILL IS, BEHIND WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE”

ANDREW WESTCOTT DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABILITY AND REGULATION, ADDISON LEE

“CONNECTED CARS CREATE A DYNAMIC ENVIRONMENT FOR LOW-COST DATA SHARING AND AGGREGATION”

ROBERT HOWARD ADAS PRODUCT SPECIALIST, TOMTOM

SEMICONDUCTORS FOR ALL OEMs

While the chip shortage is still very much in effect, OEMs are hopeful that they will begin to see relief as disruptions are projected to subside in 2024. This year is expected to be the strongest for EV output with global growth of 3% despite continuing limitations.

WHY NOT HYDROGEN?

With major investment going into electrification, the thought of hydrogen as a solution seems to bleed into the background. However, organisations are already working with hydrogen fuel cells to determine feasibility for certain applications.

Toyota has been developing hydrogen combustion for quite some time, but the real turning point is yet to take place. Hydrogen power is seen as a great solution to extend the range of fleet and commercial vehicles – as discussed in one of our previous issues featuring Tevva – and is already being tested in public transportation.

Hydrogen fuel-cell technology enables zero-emissions as only water is expelled from the exhaust pipe, although there are still questions around the release of nitrogen-oxide and the safety concerns as hydrogen is highly flammable if not managed correctly.

“THERE’S CERTAINLY A LOT OF TALK ABOUT REUSING THEM AND CONNECTING THEM TO THE ELECTRICITY GRID”

JOHN MCKEEN TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR, DOW

UNDERSTANDING EVs: STOP SAVING ENERGY

Those that already drive EVs will understand how regenerative braking works, but generally electrified vehicles are able to replenish their own batteries with good driving and braking.

Braking will add miles to the charge, but how effective this is in getting drivers to their destination is yet to be known. More regenerative solutions are making their way into the industry, such as solar panels on the roof of a car, but regeneration is another component of extended range.

Aside from braking, driving downhill will add more miles to the battery, just as this would likely save fuel when driving an ICE vehicle – only EVs are much better at controlling their speed and generating energy as a result.

Not only does regeneration save time, money, and energy – just a little – we also think it proves how good, smooth driving can be safer for drivers’ pockets but also make the roads safer.

Maximising regeneration is one of Pod Point’s top techniques for getting the most out of an EV, which is also combined with controlled acceleration and other factors, such as tyre pressure, in-car climate systems and battery management.

Note: Some factors are out of the driver’s control. The external temperature of the vehicle and outdoor climate conditions impact the range of an EV – just like an internal combustion counterpart.

HERITAGE VS WHICH BEST DEFINES

VS DIGITAL: DEFINES A LUXURY EV?

BY TOM SWALLOW

here seems to be two sides to the luxury car industry at the moment.

One of these is occupied by those dedicated to preserving the heritage aesthetic and performance in a modernised, electrified format. The other side hosts a whole new breed of innovators that are changing the way vehicles are used altogether—flexing technological prowess and enhancing the user experience through digital means.

This can somewhat create a blurred line right through the definition of luxury as it takes on many forms, and will continue to evolve digitally in decades to come. But, while most are looking to break into the digital vehicle ecosystem there are a few brands looking to maintain their unique aesthetics and heritage traits to avoid becoming just another EV.

This also extends beyond the car as consumers are becoming accustomed to online means of browsing for luxury vehicles, according to McKinsey which states that more than 40% of luxury vehicle buyers prefer to take a look via the web. When you look at the customer experience from a heritage perspective, less organisations are taking the traditional approach to selling their vehicles, leaving a gap where some businesses still win their customers over with charm.

As luxury takes various forms, electrification opens the market to various applicants looking to showcase their intricate, digitally enabled masterpieces

CATCH THE LATEST UPDATES AND RECEIVE EV NEWS INSIGHTS

However, sustainability is a critical area of concern for luxury vehicles customers as 51% of them told McKinsey, and many of these gain excitement from exclusivity. Almost all of those who seek a luxury vehicle for themselves are ready to switch to a pureelectric model, but what else is available for them to enjoy?

DISPLAYING HERITAGE AND TIMELESS PERFECTION

As an example of heritage design and how a traditional OEM strives for a traditional feel to an electrified luxury vehicle, we look at the craftsmanship of the German car maker, Wiesmann. Its aptly named ‘Project Thunder’ makes a statement for the hand-built, customer car industry.

COVER STORY

What defines the luxury of this car—and has done for years—is the design and the finishing touches that really make each car unique. From upholstery to exterior finishing touches, luxury car makers like Wiesmann made their names for their attention to detail and the feelings they provoke among the clients that drive their cars. Luxury in this instance enables a traditional sense of relationship between the customers, the engineers, and the designers that all work harmoniously to achieve the desired outcome while maintaining the essence of the brand.

WIESMANN

kWh 0-62 in 2.9 seconds 300kW DC fast

WIESMANN

PROJECT THUNDERBALL

LUXURY C RAFTED FOR THE 21 st CENT URY DRIVER

The Wiesmann brand elevates class and style, echoing its unique design elements throughout its range of cars dating back to its founding in 1988. Idealised by Martin and Friedhelm Wiesmann, the company’s philosophy has always revolved around luxury and eloquently defies the norms of the sports car industry.

The spirit of each Weismann vehicle lies within the company’s philosophy of remarkable design and manufacture that strikes balance in every model. Its success is attributed to its culture, supported by the designers, engineers, technicians, and the owners of its cars, which enables a unique bond between all who lay their hands on one.

Moving into the 21st Century, the latest Wiesmann—currently referred to as ‘Project Thunderball’—plays homage to its ICE ancestors while leveraging late technologies that bring the brand into the electrified era. The EV weighs a little over 1700 kg with a power to weight ratio of 2.5 kg per horsepower. From a power perspective, Project Thunderball’s twin rear-mounted motors provide 500kW (680hp) to propel the car from standing to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds.

THE FUTURISTIC ELEMENTS OF LUXURY

We can think of the new era as digital luxury. Many of the tech-enabled features that we see today will cost even less to install in years to come and the mainstream idea of luxury will hinge on the digital capabilities of a vehicle.

For these vehicles, including the HiPhi X from the fast-moving Chinese EV brand, the differentiation comes from technology and the digitally-enabled functions that drivers experience. To understand where the industry needs to go, it’s important to recognise some of the features found in the premium market, such as digitally-enabled dashboards, connectivity and other comfort functions.

It seems the line between luxury and premium in the digital space hinges on the

uniqueness of vehicle design and the digital capabilities afforded by customers. HiPhi’s design is a great example of how unique styling can be leveraged, such as ‘gullwing’ and rear-opening doors—mimicking the Rolls-Royce experience—and the car’s ability to adjust the cockpit or passenger experience to suit those using the vehicle.

While it’s certain that technology has a role to play in providing a luxury automotive experience, luxury is still very much down to interpretation as drivers’ needs develop over time. While the majority of luxury cars users are open to more sustainable options, the real change for OEMs is understanding what qualities are necessary in their markets. Are they a performance-enthused classic car lover or do they desire digitally enabled comfort?

CONNECTED MOBILITY BUILDS SAFETY INTO ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE

WRITTEN BY: TOM SWALLOW

PRODUCED BY: THOMAS LIVERMORE

David Brown, Head of Connected Mobility Product Portfolio at Vodafone Automotive, enlightens us on the top of connected mobility to improve road safety

Hands up, then, who saw this one coming…a leading telecommunications provider giving similar treatment to cars as it would handheld digital devices? While it would have made for a ludicrous conversation a decade or so ago, connectivity has become a staple in modern life, naturally progressing towards various applications in the automotive sector.

EV manufacturers have embarked on a journey that will mark its place in history as the most significant evolution of transport, which also comes with a lot of responsibility to protect drivers and passengers in alignment with their contributions to global sustainable change.

This can be witnessed throughout countless connectivity exploits and, as explained by David Brown, Head of Connected Mobility Product Portfolio at Vodafone Automotive, telecommunications and digital services play an integral role in the future of electrified mobility.

The services provided by Vodafone Automotive – a global service subsidiary of Vodafone – include hardware and software and Brown leads the product management team to deliver next-generation connectivity-based services to customers looking to improve road safety and vehicle security, efficiencies, and emissions reduction. Non-connected services are supplied as upgrades to on-board vehicle systems and connectivity-based services

are fulfilled through multiple solutions, including vehicle-to-everything (V2X) services, which enable communications between cars and their surrounding infrastructure, driving behaviour monitoring and crash reconstruction.

In the vehicle security area the company offers professional services to locate and retrieve cars to minimise vehicle losses, as well as solutions that dynamically predict the probability of an event occurring over a certain period of time, such as notifying drivers on risky zones.

DAVID BROWN

HEAD OF CONNECTED MOBILITY PRODUCT PORTFOLIO, VODAFONE AUTOMOTIVE

“IF YOU BREAK DOWN A TELEMATICS SOLUTION INTO ITS CONSTITUENT PARTS, YOU’VE GOT THE HARDWARE, YOU’VE GOT THE CONNECTIVITY, THE PLATFORM, AND THE SERVICE”

DAVID BROWN HEAD OF CONNECTED MOBILITY PRODUCT PORTFOLIO, VODAFONE

Through a passenger-vehicle lens, Vodafone Automotive’s solutions enable peace of mind that the latest electrified cars – as well as ICE vehicles in previous years – are the safest they can possibly be while also achieving greater energy usage and other benefits. Ultimately, the mission of the company is, as Brown states, “about making mobility safe, secure and accessible.”

CONNECTED SERVICES ENABLE A VISIBILITY APPROACH TO VEHICLE INSURANCE

These three words form the pillars of innovation that Vodafone Automotive focuses

AUTOMOTIVE

“‘TIME TO GREEN’ MEANS REALTIME VEHICLE COMMUNICATION WITH TRAFFIC LIGHTS TO REDUCE IDLING TIME”

on, which also carries over to fleet operations and other commercial uses. As far as safety and security goes, the goal is pretty simple: to reduce the number of stolen cars, traffic issues and accidents occurring on public roads each year. Overall, it means to help move forward a more sustainable and safe mobility.

“The first pillar is really focused on the safety side of things and the aim to reduce road deaths to zero,” says Brown.

This is where cooperative connected mobility services generate key benefits that really come into play, particularly in cities and other urban environments where infrastructure is enabled with V2X

DAVID BROWN

TITLE: HEAD OF CONNECTED MOBILITY PRODUCT PORTFOLIO

INDUSTRY: MOTOR VEHICLE

PARTS MANUFACTURING

LOCATION: UNITED KINGDOM

David joined Vodafone in 2010 and took over product management responsibility in mobile phone devices, then in motor insurance telematics. In this role, he created a new programme function to deliver customer onboarding for complex solution deployments of insurance telematics in Northern and Central Europe. In 2019, he broadened his responsibility to lead a team of product managers and define a new product portfolio across all key verticals - Insurance, Fleet and Automotive. David holds a degree in Managerial and Administrative Studies from the University of Aston.

EXECUTIVE BIO

technology, which provides an added layer of safety to drivers while on the road. Vodafone’s product is appropriately named Safer Transport for Europe Platform (STEP) and introduces connected capabilities to provide more safety measures to drivers and vulnerable road users.

Leveraging the 5G and edge cloud capabilities developed by Vodafone, the automotive segment is about to tailor its architecture to enable V2X capabilities and package STEP on top of it. The idea of the cars having the ability to connect with others in the vicinity will encourage a more cooperative mobility ecosystem

“Being part of Vodafone, we are able to access 5G technologies and edge cloud, which, with competence in architecture design and V2X software developments

from Vodafone Automotive, has allowed the development of that capability for the entire ecosystem,” says Brown.

Working in the insurance realm is key for Vodafone Automotive, as it supports the overarching goal of road safety. Citing an example of the great work achieved by Vodafone Automotive, Brown explains a scenario where its connected solution not only benefits the drivers, but also provides a call handler with more scope for a quality service.

“When visiting a UK-based insurer that provides services to brand new drivers on the road, I was able to see first-hand how our solution makes a difference,” says Brown.

What Brown saw was how Vodafone Automotive’s solution enabled call managers to handle customer cases much more

effectively, using data to gain clearer insight into the incident, whether it be low energy crashes or more serious accidents.

By leveraging telematics services, insurers have, for many years, managed the risk of a wide range of drivers. From the perspective of new road users, this is to reduce insurance premiums, but these days we’re beginning to see the real benefits to providing vehicle usage data.

“Bearing in mind these can often be young drivers, understanding how our technology can help provide a level of assurance in high stress situations really brought it home for me. The impact was that our service meant the insurer could focus on the young drivers struggling in a time of need.”

This goes to show the impact that connected mobility has and how Vodafone

“WE HAVE VODAFONE BEHIND US, WHICH GIVES US COLLABORATIVE ACCESS TO THE 5G TECHNOLOGIES AND EDGE CLOUD AND HAS ALLOWED THE DEVELOPMENT OF V2X SERVICES A LOT QUICKER”

DAVID BROWN HEAD OF CONNECTED MOBILITY PRODUCT PORTFOLIO, VODAFONE AUTOMOTIVE

Automotive is able to integrate with infrastructure and businesses to not only achieve its goals in line with its own pillars, but breed a new quality of service to its partners’ customers. Leveraging some of the best technologies on the market and almost 15 years’ experience in helping insurance to digitalise policies, the company tailors that insightful approach to insurance, which is but one way that it contributes to safety.

“If you break down a telematics solution into its constituent parts, you’ve got the hardware, you’ve got the connectivity, the platform, and the service – we play in all these parts. Being part of the Vodafone family the connectivity is naturally a core part — we have our factory for the design and manufacture of hardware, and of course we have the platform and the service network covering over 50 countries. The fact that we can bring all of those together makes us unique and makes us a leader in the market,” Brown says.

V2X

Much like the digital ecosystems that enable businesses and homes to function, road transport is entering a new era of connectivity that will allow devices to share and access data from vehicles and infrastructure components surrounding them. An example of this from a safety perspective is how assessments are made of the road ahead, which has been adopted on major highways, but is still yet to leverage this to the highest degree.

With vehicles connected to other vehicles and data shared with infrastructure – which will in turn be shared with other road users – this unlocks new functions to enable realtime insights on the road. This is V2X.

With V2X, road users could begin to see real-time updates in the vehicle made useful to them as they travel. Vodafone Automotive

VODAFONE AUTOMOTIVE

recognises the potential of V2X in ensuring that any road collisions or diversions are reported and managed instantly to the driver, preventing any further incident or dialling out inefficiency.

“The key point is that this communication needs to be instant to deliver value to the road user. This is possible thanks to our 5G networks and multi-edge computing,” says Brown.

Not only can such a solution save time and emissions in cities, but with drivers more aware of the road condition changes, they can focus on the surrounding environment, which could reduce collisions with nearby cyclists, pedestrians, and other cars –fostering a more mindful approach to travel.

A great example of V2X is being designed and implemented by Vodafone, which Brown explains allows drivers to determine, what he calls, ‘time to green’.

STEP: SAFER TRANSPORT FOR EUROPE PLATFORM

In March 2022, Vodafone launched STEP to enable faster and more efficient safety information distribution with road users using its proprietary technologies.

To be successful in this, the company ensures an agnostic solution that is compatible with all in-vehicle navigation systems and third-party apps to provide access to real-time traffic and collision data.

Road users will be directly connected with transport authorities to gain a better understanding of the road conditions and leverage these insights to avoid accidents, congestion, and delays on the road.

The issue of road congestion can be seen globally with more cars on the roads in cities, but access to real-time data has the potential to limit this by keeping drivers informed. This would be enabled throughout connectivity - data sharing between cars and traffic lights.

“For example, you are in London and you are stuck in traffic. You are at the traffic lights, traffic lights turn green, you’ve raced to the next set of traffic lights, and by the time you get there, they’ve turned red. You’re then idling for 30 seconds,” Brown says.

“‘Time to green’ effectively means communicating with those traffic lights and

the road infrastructure; it will tell you when the next set of traffic lights are due to change and recommend your approach to the traffic lights so that, by the time you get to them, you don’t need to apply the brakes – losing all momentum in the vehicle and using lots of energy to get the car back up to speed.

“We see V2X aligning with autonomous vehicles, whereby each system can complement each other to create extra layers of protection for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.

“This is where the system, through maybe cameras or through smartphone applications, is able to determine where

pedestrians and cyclists are in a shared space of the road,” Brown says.

“An example is with lorries, where quite often cyclists ride alongside. You can have a warning system that tells the lorry driver, even though the cyclist is in their blind spot, they are there – ’proceed with caution’.

Though all these solutions show promise for a safer, more sustainable road network, it requires collaboration amongst a variety of players such as OEMs, roadside infrastructure providers, public authorities and vehicle fleets across Europe. Particularly in the realm of EVs, the demand and readiness is there for connected car services, but education plays

a key role in enabling progress – revamping the road infrastructure network. Future prospects are bright for connected mobility and will even present new opportunities later down the line.

“Our focus is mainly on safety and security. Of course, as the applications and use cases evolve there will continue to be interesting and wide ranging commercial benefits. We want to make roads safer, and STEP will enable us to do that. Understanding how drivers interact with it will enable us to delve deeper into connected mobility.”

ADAS IS A NICE-TO-HAVE THAT ELECTRIC VEHICLES MUST

HAVE

Advanced driver assistance has come a long way over the years, but it’s time for drivers to realise that electric vehicles do most of the heavy lifting

There are multiple factors that determine safety and efficiency on the road – millions of them actually. With more possibilities for danger and potential delays around every corner, drivers are less able than computers to see all the signs and determine the best course of action. In a heartbeat – or even less than – an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) can save a life or allow a driver to take a turn that could shave off minutes on their travel times.

Making use of an abundance of data, ADAS encompasses various functions – such as the lane control mechanism found in recent cars, emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and parking assistance – and is even becoming so smart that it can determine when the driver is drowsy or driving under the influence of illegal substances.

It’s difficult to see what technology can’t do for us as drivers, which is why the conversation has shifted towards autonomy; questions abound for the moment autonomous driving officially takes the wheel forever. But will it actually happen in the way we imagine? Or is ADAS simply a proof-of-concept, indicating that drivers could rely more on data-driven AI to prevent collisions on the road?

As of July 2022, EU regulation was put into place to ensure that ADAS is available across its entire automotive industry. ADAS is now mandatory for certain functions in all new cars, and includes advanced emergency braking systems (AEBS), lane departure warning systems (LDWS), speed assistance, rear-view cameras, and alcohol interlock installation – systems that prevent the driver from using the car with too much alcohol in their blood.

“These safety features have been designed to help drivers prevent collisions and improve driving experience,” says Hayley Pells, Policy Manager at the Institute of the Motor Industry.

“Non-mandatory ADAS features that are common include blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and forward-collision warning systems. All ADAS technologies are today improving safety and helping drivers stay alert and aware while on the road.”

ADAS S AVES LIVES

According to the US National Safety Council, ADAS has the potential to prevent 20,841 deaths resulting from road collisions and other incidents involving drivers, annually. Not only does it save vehicles, but it also keeps cars on the road. The average age of vehicles on US roads has increased by 9% in the last decade, which is testament to the ability of drivers to prevent accidents and, ultimately, damage to their cars.

Safety and efficiency is a result of knowledge. Great examples of this are Google, Waze, and other navigation applications that share data with various different connected sources to map out the road ahead and provide real-time updates on traffic, accidents, and imperfections in the road.

“For truly safe assistance on a large scale, precise, up-to-date maps are key,” says Robert Howard, ADAS Product Specialist at TomTom.

“High-definition maps are critical supplements to sensors in that they improve road perception and vehicle localisation to help AD systems plan safer, more precise manoeuvres.”

A BRIDGE TO DRIVER ACCEPTANCE OF AUTONOMY

Driver assistance has been provided to many drivers through various means and ICEs must be given some of the credit for allowing organisations to test out their solutions in premium cars. But ADAS is becoming less of a luxury and more of a necessity, which can also be understood by looking at how Google manages traffic and provides realtime updates to drivers—allowing them to select the fastest, most economical routes to take based on traffic data and other factors.

While this isn’t necessarily a function that enhances the performance of an EV, it can certainly make the transition to autonomy much simpler, particularly for businesses and consumers looking to squeeze the most out of their miles.

“HIGH-DEFINITION MAPS ARE CRITICAL SUPPLEMENTS TO SENSORS IN THAT THEY IMPROVE ROAD PERCEPTION AND VEHICLE LOCALISATION TO HELP AD SYSTEMS PLAN SAFER, MORE PRECISE MANOEUVRES”

ROBE RT HOWARD, ADAS PRODUCT SPECIALI ST, TOMTOM

CONNECTED CAR

“Connectivity also enables ADAS features like remote monitoring and control. With the help of mobile apps or web portals, drivers can remotely monitor their vehicle’s performance, receive alerts about maintenance issues, and even control certain functions such as locking and unlocking the doors or starting the engine,” Pells explains.

These are functions we’ve seen growing in the ICE space for some time, but ADAS in EVs tends to be affiliated with safety –leveraging the computer’s ability to analyse data points in real-time and assess millions of different stored scenarios that could occur based on current road metrics.

“Connected cars create a dynamic environment for low-cost data sharing and aggregation, whereby massive amounts of anonymised data can be moved between the physical world and the cloud,” says

VISUALISE THE ROAD AHEAD WITH TOMTO M ADAS MAP

Implementing AI in our vehicles means they are ever more capable of analysing the road ahead.

TomTom ADAS Map offers a complete mapping service for driver assistance systems, which is proven effective by millions of vehicles across the globe.

The ADAS Map is capable of: measuring speed limits; understanding the curvature and gradient of the road; reading traffic signs and lights to determine when a vehicle should stop or what speed it should travel; and provides intelligent speed assistance.

“CONNECTIVITY ALSO ENABLES ADAS FEATURES LIKE REMOTE MONITORING AND CONTROL”

HAY LEY PELLS, POLIC Y MANAGER, THE IN STITUTE OF THE MOTO R INDUSTRY

Howard. “Using AI, we can potentially provide real-time valuable insight into how roads are used, where traffic hotspots are and how to better design infrastructure for automated driving safety.”

THE ROLE OF INFRASTRUCTURE IN A CONNECTED, ASSISTED SYSTEM

Aiding the safe operation of ADASenabled vehicles and autonomous cars, infrastructure has become a key component in making sure cars can leverage data to their fullest. The infrastructure conversation is driven by the demand on driver assistance technologies to rapidly share insights via the cloud and telecommunications networks, whereby the surrounding network must be capable of supporting reliable, real-time data transfer.

Such infrastructure innovation is believed, by Pells, to be hindered by the lack of technical support available in the industry.

“At the end of 2022, there were just 3,000 technicians qualified to work on ADAS in the UK, but with 5% of UK cars featuring level 2 autonomy (where the vehicle can control acceleration, braking, and steering), that leaves an estimated shortfall of between 3,000 and 9,000 technicians,” says Pells.

“By 2030, it is predicted that 44% of cars on our roads will include ADAS, requiring a total of 106,000 qualified technicians. Based on current qualification and training trends, the UK industry will face a shortfall of 51,000 qualified technicians in just seven years.”

BATTERIES MAKE ENABLE ZERO-EMISSION

MAKE HISTORY AND ZERO-EMISSION MOBILITY

The key component to the majority of zero-emission transport is the battery, but let’s

beyond to find

what makes it safe and sustainable

With many industrial revolutions taking place over the years, not many have been as significant as the electrical revolution that we’re seeing today.

There is a larger population to serve –which is growing by the day – and external environmental concerns to take into account as we navigate life’s mysteries. Serving both is a matter of electrification, which begins with the shift in mindset preceded first by a shift in propulsion.

This change to decarbonise transport is driven by a key component, which has actually supported drivers longer than is immediately realised. It’s only now that the automotive industry is realising the true capabilities of battery power and electric propulsion as the demand for EVs increases rapidly.

But electrification alone isn’t the answer. To sustain the EV industry's growth and longevity for a sustainable future, businesses must be responsible for the sourcing, innovation, and life cycle of EVs.

Having spoken to a key figure in the industry, we’re delving into a topic that often plagues yet excites the industry: batteries.

BATTERIES PROVIDE MORE THAN JUST POWER

Batteries are more sophisticated than ever. The way that OEMs have integrated them

look

out

“WE'RE WORKING ON MATERIALS THAT HAVE HIGHER THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY SO WE CAN TRANSFER MORE HEAT QUICKLY”

JO HN MCKEEN, TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR, DOW MOBILI TYSCIENCE™

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into platforms to form the basis of EVs shows their versatility and power density, which has only evolved as organisations like Dow have come up with more suitable materials compositions to make them more sustainable for day-to-day applications.

“We’re focusing a lot on the assembly materials for batteries. The battery is a key component of that – the new lifeblood of the vehicle,” says John McKeen, Technology Director at Dow MobilityScience™.

“We’re looking at a number of different areas, helping OEMs and battery manufacturers achieve longer range, achieve better performance, and really looking at thermal management and assembly.”

For OEMs, it’s all about making their products better every time whether that means developing the safety credentials of their cars or ensuring EVs adhere to a circular economy, but the key component to get right is the battery.

BATTERY COMPOSITION THROUGH A SAFETY LENS

The last conversation OEMs want to have is how to deal with negative press. As some EVs have been scrutinised for their unfortunate ability to catch fire in operation, there’s a point to be made about safety and how manufacturers build their vehicles to harness the battery’s true potential safely.

To investigate the approach to safe, optimal battery composition, thermal management is an area that garners the expertise of various professionals.

“Design is a super important piece of that. Mechanical engineers, chemists, chemical engineers, electrical engineers are all required to optimise and get it right,” says

DOW MOBILITYSCIENCE™: A SUPPORT

MECHANISM FOR MOBILITY INNOVATION

Understanding the growing mobility megatrends, Dow launched MobilityScience™ to enhance the customer experience and deliver cutting-edge mobility solutions – pulling together technologies, products and services from across the entire Dow portfolio.

The ultimate goal of MobilityScience™ is to ‘Navigate the Road Ahead Together’ and in doing so, Dow is enabling organisations to make serious transformations happen in relation to autonomy, connectivity, safety and sustainability.

In support of the cause, Dow MobilityScience™ partners with one of the leading electrified motorsports, Formula E, which was featured in our January issue. Supporting Jaguar TCS

Racing, Dow’s collaboration is helping to take learnings from the track and drive innovation in the battery performance of road-going cars, including supporting technologies that enable them to drive longer, faster, and more efficiently.

These performance improvements are making their way into the automotive value chain and enabling OEMs to get the most out of their new EVs.

McKeen. “You can’t do just one. You really need to bring them all together in concert to optimise for performance, cost, and to make the right material choices.”

As seen in recent trends, authorities struggle to deem some EVs as repairable, which is driving the need to make battery packs in such a way that allows them to be dismantled for two reasons. The first is to avoid vehicle write-offs as EVs are known to be redundant in the event of battery damage, and secondly—following this

CHARGING & INFRASTRUCTURE

point—ensuring they adhere to a circular economy. For cars to really be sustainable, batteries must come full cycle in such events or at the end-of-life.

“There’s certainly a lot of talk about reusing them and connecting them to the electricity grid,” says McKeen. “I certainly believe that we’ll see batteries recycled. We recycle more than 90% of aluminium from a vehicle, more than 98% of iron, and I think the same is going to be true of the metals used in batteries.”

THERMAL AND CHARGING INNOVATIONS FOR DC CHARGER COMPATIBILITY

One of the key elements of battery composition that enables much-desired DC fast charging capabilities is thermal management.

“A lot of the batteries on the market today will charge up to 150 kilowatt hours and are headed towards 250 or 350. That’s really enabled by the architecture of the cell, but also thermal management in the battery,” says McKeen.

As the demand for faster charging grows, the underlying factor in ensuring EVs can power up safely – and, in fact, whether it works at all – is a result of developing battery thermal architecture, which begins at the charger cable and ends with the battery pack itself.

“We're working on materials that have higher thermal conductivity so we can transfer more heat quickly. There's a number of different ways to remove heat from the cells themselves, so we also work on materials that would enable a different type of coolant architecture.”

HOW DOES A LARGE HIRE FLEET COPE WITH A LACK OF EV CHARGERS?

The EV charger network is developing, but until it reaches a more suitable capacity, fleet operators can still address their need to switch to ZEVs

Electrification can enable a much smarter approach to how fleets operate. Aside from the inevitable sustainability benefits, fleet operators are now looking to leverage the extensive digital capabilities inherent in EVs – which is why it’s so important to learn how established firms are facilitating such a change.

The challenges are clear, but the main one is trust. Organisations are aware of the emission reduction benefits, the efficiency gains, and safety mechanisms that electrified vehicles provide, but it seems there is more to the conversation than simply saying ‘out with the old and in with the new’.

To find out how electrification impacts the approach of a large electrified fleet, Andrew Westcott (AW), Director of Sustainability and Regulation at Addison Lee, delves into the company’s sustainable transformation and the challenges in reaching its goal of a zeroemission fleet.

With four major services offered to a varying degree of clients, Addison Lee is a big name in London and is working to electrify all of its private hire fleet and black taxi services across the city.

TS: What’s your perspective on electrification in London, particularly when Addison Lee is a major service provider to international and business clients?

AW: “We focused on the private hire standard fleet – that's about 2000 vehicles operating in London. The reason we focused on that is because it’s the most significant part of the fleet. It's probably the bit that we've got the most influence over as well. We can try and impact change more rapidly in that area.

“We also have a lot of customers using those vehicles and clearly, given that the majority of them are corporate, they're really keen to see how we can support their net zero and sustainability targets.”

In its efforts to navigate the ZEV policies evolving in London, Addison Lee made a significant pledge to electrify its fleet by the end of 2030. Despite having multiple EVs to choose from, the company settled on a single model, the Volkswagen ID.4, as its replacement for internal combustion.

Immediately, it became apparent that partnership with Volkswagen played a critical role in not only selecting a vehicle, but providing training and support to make the most of its functions, from an operational perspective, and to maintain its high-quality service to clients.

Leveraging the expertise of Volkswagen is critical for the business to understand all functions of a potentially alien automotive format, but, realistically, to understand the EV’s capabilities in an underserved area for public charging.

On the subject of charging, Westcott expands on this, pointing out how it affects the operation of Addison Lee’s fleet.

TS: How has charging impacted your adoption of the ID.4 on a wider scale?

AW: “In London, the rapid network was, and still is, behind where it needs to be. We underwent some research back in 2018, which looked at the entire taxi and private hire industry within London. That’s about 100,000 to 110,000 vehicles at the time.

“This independent research stated that we’d need about 8,500 rapid chargers just to support that entire fleet. While it isn’t Transport for London’s sole responsibility to provide the charging infrastructure, they’re providing just over 300 rapid chargers across the network. Not all of those are available to private hires.

“When we started the process, there was about one charger for every 10 EVs. It’s now one charger for every 16 EVs.”

TS: How did you continue with this knowledge? Could drivers use chargers at home?

AW: “We surveyed the drivers before we even started the project. Actually, it’s the first part of the project in terms of the EV transition. Only about 10% had the capability to have a home charger. They do take the vehicles home with them in the evening; it's not a back-to-base sort of overnight charging model.

“The strategy was to work with those drivers in the first instance and help them set up their home chargers. We partnered with JustPark and Octopus Energy to help drivers with that transition. Some of them chose to do their own thing, that's totally up to them. But about 10% took up that offer and then, for the rest of them, it was about trying to help them identify chargers that were close to home.”

“THE STRATEGY WAS TO WORK WITH THOSE DRIVERS IN THE FIRST INSTANCE AND HELP THEM SET UP THEIR HOME CHARGERS”

ANDREW WESTCOTT, DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABILITY AND REGULATION, A DDISON LEE

This is testament to the approach that fleet operators must take to ensure that electrification is successful. While many organisations advocate the benefits of EVs, such as the increased digital integration and efficiency, these are not achieved without the adoption of a problem-solving mindset.

Range anxiety is a challenge faced by many fleets, but the reality comes when they learn how to best use their EVs in the optimal way. To reap the benefits of EVs, drivers will be allowed time and the tools to manage their charging effectively – whether this involves overnight or daytime charging.

Overall, there is a key emphasis on partnerships. The success of Addison Lee can be somewhat attributed to its support from Volkswagen in the onboarding process.

“When we first introduced the EVs – that first kind of cohort, those pioneers if you like who adopted the vehicles – they worked with VW and one of the dealerships worked with the drivers and showed them how they had to test vehicles,” says Westcott.

“They showed them how to drive it, they showed them recharging methods – how to drive the car efficiently and economically. So they were really supportive of that.”

“WHEN WE STARTED THE PROCESS, THERE WAS ABOUT ONE CHARGER FOR EVERY 10 EVS. IT’S NOW ONE CHARGER FOR EVERY 16 EVs”

ANDREW WESTCOTT, DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABILITY AND REGULATION, A DDISON LEE

THE SOUND OF EV SAFETY IS AN EXCITING PROSPECT FOR DRIVERS

EVs come with unique safety requirements. Being silent is one of the major concerns of regulators, which is why OEMs are developing new sounds for cars

EXCITING DRIVERS

Imagine the thoughts going around motorists' heads when they hear that vehicles are going silent.

Such a change is likely to split the crowd, with daily commuters and travelling professionals on one side and the ‘petrolheads’ on the other. There are many who espouse the seductive nature of car sounds, from the V8 rumbles in classic American muscle cars to the bellowing, crackling exhaust pipes expelling fumes from high-cylinder engines.

For many, the idea of silent vehicles dooms the automotive industry, but from a sustainability standpoint, ICEs just aren’t feasible, long-term. This is perhaps why EVs come under all possible scrutiny, such as the lack of convenience—being remedied as we speak—or the danger around silence and the impact this may have on the passing public.

The safety concern is a very real one, with automotive regulators having to specify what car makers must do to comply with health and safety standards, which is why the industry has gone full circle – vehicle sounds are back.

If you listen closely, you’ll already hear them. OEMs are being held accountable via regulatory bodies to ensure that EVs meet the minimum sound requirements to make them safer for road use. The system used is referred to as the acoustic vehicle alert system – as explained by an accomplished sound designer from one of the leading automotive firms in the US.

“All of our EVs have this regulatory sound to alert pedestrians walking on the road; it makes them aware that a vehicle is passing by,” says Jay Kapadia, Creative Sound Director at General Motors. “EVs

“EVs BEING SILENT CAN BE DANGEROUS. WE HAVE TO ALERT PEDESTRIANS, BUT WE WANT TO DO SO IN A PLEASANT WAY”

JAY KAPADIA, CREATIVE SOUND DIRECTOR, GENE RAL MOTORS

JAY KAPADIA, CREATIVE

DIRECTOR, GENE RAL

being silent can be dangerous. We have to alert pedestrians, but we want to do so in a pleasant way.”

This is particularly a concern for the visually impaired as authorities believe EVs, if silent, have a higher chance of accidents involving pedestrians than conventional cars. Research cited by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) suggests that there’s a 40% higher probability of collision.

WHA T IS AVAS?

The Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) is more than just a benefit; it’s a required accessory in the eyes of regulators, ensuring that passing pedestrians, cycles, and e-mobility users are aware of EVs as they are passing by.

For EVs that would otherwise be ‘silent’, the AVAS generates sounds to be heard by vulnerable road users (VRUs). As these solutions are required in many nations across the globe, organisations are looking to their sound engineers to ensure that EVs meet the requirements of regulators.

Organisations developing EVs must abide by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which governs how sounds are used in this way. Aside from this globally recognised standard, there are various others to note as different regions abide by their own sets of rules. On top of this sound profile, General Motors is able to make the necessary tweaks to match its brand profile.

This is where Kapadia mentions AVAS as a solution designed into cars as a regulatory must-have solution for safety on the road. AVAS is critical in high-traffic and highpopulation areas, particularly cities where low-speed traffic accidents are more likely. This is also somewhat of a solution to future proof cars as they become part of a wider electrified transport ecosystem with a variety of moving parts.

“ALL OF OUR EVs HAVE THIS REGULATORY SOUND TO ALERT PEDESTRIANS WALKING ON THE ROAD”

SOUND

MOTORS

MOBILITY

We can certainly expect AVAS to work handin-hand with some of the most sophisticated autonomous driving solutions out there to warn pedestrians and other road users of an EV’s presence.

CREATING THE MODERN AUTOMOTIVE SOUNDSCAPE

While automotive manufacturers like GM are looking at ways to reinvent the sound experience from a safety perspective, it seems there are very few limitations to the sounds they can use. More importantly, sound design doubles as a way to differentiate between vehicles, much like how some drivers would tell the difference between ICEs using their engine sounds.

Injecting new sounds into cars is not about creating new noise that bleeds into the background, but instead accentuating the components, such as an EV motor sound, to allow nearby pedestrians to gauge the speed at which cars are travelling—or their rate of acceleration.

“With the absence of the engine, there is an electric motor in the car, and we enhance that sound, which is done by a broad team of engineers,” says Kapadia. “We have experts in GM as well who work on creating these propulsion sounds and enhancing the motor sound, because the motor’s inherent natural sound is a cacophony. We have to mask certain frequencies and we have to enhance certain frequencies.”

LISTENING OUT FOR NEW COMMERCIAL EV ENDEAVOURS

Understanding how sounds can impact the EV industry and how it fits with a growing population inherently opens up new opportunities for job roles to merge into

THE SOUND OF TH E CRABWALK

GM is a model of innovation when it comes to sound, but one of its most intuitive, bold ideas is yet to reach the commercial market.

The GMC Hummer, known by many, is not only going electric, but also features the ‘Crabwalk’ function, making driving all the more comfortable and convenient for drivers. Sound designers have been working on specific sounds for GM cars, but the Hummer’s Crabwalk is given its own.

EVs like these act as the canvases for more creativity when it comes to using sounds.

those more technology-driven. Not only is sound engineering impacting the safety and comfort of pedestrians, but Kapadia also mentions how sound design is changing the internal automotive experience as well.

“The whole sonic landscape is being designed. We closely work with our design teams – our noise and vibration experts, our engineering experts—to come up with this whole sonic brand strategy, what we want the customer to experience,” says Kapadia.

While engineers are responsible for the pleasantries outside the vehicle, the internal design of GM cars exemplifies the ways their sonic profiles set them apart from their competitors. Understanding vehicles in such a way creates more space for customisation, which is a challenge that companies will inevitably face as ICE factors become obsolete in the face of industry adaptation to environmental pressures.

“WITH THE ABSENCE OF THE ENGINE, THERE IS AN ELECTRIC MOTOR IN THE CAR, AND WE ENHANCE THAT SOUND, WHICH IS DONE BY A BROAD TEAM OF ENGINEERS”

JA Y KAPADIA, CREATIVE SOUND DIRECTOR, GENE RAL MOTORS

AUTONOMOUS EV SOLUTIONS DEVELOPERS

Discover

the top 10 autonomous electric vehicle solutions developers paving the way for a greener, smart-er future in the evolving automotive industry

We’ve already talked a lot about safety in this issue, but the real innovation in this area that could change transport forever is that of autonomous vehicles. These 10 organisations are developing next-generation solutions to enable selfdriving in a safe, efficient manner to make roads safer for both drivers and pedestrians.

With the Top 10 autonomous EV solution developers on the case, cars will integrate harmoniously with the world around them, enabling commercial and welfare benefits at the same time.

#10

EINRIDE

As a trusted autonomous heavy-goods vehicle (HGV) innovator, Einride has developed an architecture that really leverages the batteryelectric platform. Einride aims to offer autonomous shipping through electrified design and digital intelligence, packaged in a tractor and trailer combo leveraging data to keep fleet operators informed, and AI to enable seamless truck mobility.

Each truck is designed based on the battery platform, creating a uniquely shaped, remotely operated vehicle that is more versatile than any HGV in the ICE market.

#09 MAY MOBILITY

The autonomous shuttle vehicle startup, June Mobility received particular interest from Toyota in 2019 as a major investor of US$50mn. In March 2023, the company launched a smart robotransit technology, equipping a Toyota Sienna minivan with its latest solution.

A single vehicle leverages five lidar systems, five radar inputs, and eight cameras to inform the vehicle of the surroundings, improving safety and pedestrian awareness for generations to come.

#08 PONY.AI

In the running with some of the leading tech companies, Pony.ai is a Chinese developer of self-driving vehicle solutions that looks to compete with the likes of Waymo and Tesla.

Based in Beijing and Guangzhou, China, and Silicon Valley, US, Pony.ai is expected to dominate the market for autonomy in developing countries – where road systems and conditions vary drastically – with technologies designed for the toughest roads.

#07 ZOOX

Amazon pulled its very own purpose-built selfdriving car out the bag to match the innovative capabilities of its technology industry rivals. Zoox brings a new architecture to the industry and is the epitome of driverless. Passengers are able to hop into the Zoox as if they would a metro bus or taxi and be transported city-wide in a safe, sustainable way.

#06 BAIDU

During CES 2019, Baidu revealed Apollo autonomous vehicles similar to the selfdriving automobile developed by Argo AI. Through an open-sourced technology platform, Baidu is able to actively develop new self-drive technologies for its vehicle.

Baidu, which has launched its own robotaxi service in Hunan, is among a selection of companies in China with commercial licensing for self-driving buses.

#05 MOTIONAL

Responsible for Uber’s autonomous evolution, Motional is partnered with the rideshare business as the robotaxi enabler in Las Vegas. Motional was founded by Hyundai Motor Group and Aptiv, and is on a mission to change the way people move and, in doing so, has enabled one of the most intuitive solutions in the city that never sleeps – ironically gracing it with a solution that matches its vibrant, neon culture.

#04 TESLA

Pioneers in the EV realm and one of the first, in-house, self-driving adopters, Tesla’s solutions have been on the market for years and continue to develop as the team works to build autonomy into its cars. Known as ‘Autopilot’, Tesla’s solution is an ADAS that enhances safety and creates a more convenient driving experience – reducing the overall workload of the driver while maximising their attention at the wheel.

#03 CRUISE

Cruise has a fleet of 300 self-driving cars and anticipates earning US$1bn in revenue by 2025. Founded in 2016 by the US automotive giant, Cruise began offering taxi service via entirely autonomous means in 2021 and continues to drive towards its goal.

GM has been particularly focused on developing technology solutions to meet careful requirements for safer road transport methods.

MOBILEYE

Mobileye is one of the pioneers of today’s most revolutionary driving technologies. Leveraging a simple yet impactful camera-based solution, it takes a relatively inexpensive approach to autonomy. Mobileye has helped develop driver assistance solutions for over 100 million vehicles in its efforts to transform the industry into a fully automated system.

In March 2023, Mobileye was named the leader in autonomous vehicle technology by two industry reports – Guidehouse Insights Leaderboard: Automated Driving Systems and the first ever ABI Research Autonomous Vehicle Platforms.

#1 WAYMO

The Alphabet-owned autonomous driving specialist was created in 2009 as a business to bridge the gap to self-driving cars and robotaxis. As of March 2023, testing one of its autonomous EVs on the streets of Austin, Texas, to showcase the first prototype of its Waymo Driver – the Firefly.

The Waymo One ride-gail service is already available to the public in Phoenix, Arizona, and San Francisco, California, where they can enjoy the digital driving benefits on routes to and from the airport as well as trips around the Super Bowl.

Now, the company is testing its fifth generation of autonomous driver technologies in the Jaguar i-Pace.

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