As the global competition in electric vehicle power batteries intensifies, Chinese battery giant CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd.) has been unveiling its new generation of automotive power batteries. Notably, during the “2023 Chery Tech Day” event, multiple batteries from CATL were showcased, with a strong focus on their second-generation sodium-ion battery.

According to a report by “mydrivers,” although several of CATL’s batteries were showcased during Chery’s event, including the Shenxing Superfast Charging Battery, Qilin Battery, and Sodium-ion batteries. It is set to be the debut choice for Chery vehicles.

In June of this year, Apple introduced the new Vision Pro headset, priced at $3,499, with plans to release it by early next year (by the end of April).

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in the Power On newsletter, Apple had been considering the development of a cheaper headset even before its June release, as the $3,499 price tag for the Vision Pro is a significant barrier to widespread adoption.

Reportedly, this more affordable follow-up version of the Vision Pro may abandon the use of an external display and Mac-grade chips to fall within the internal discussion range of $1,500 to $2,500. While not exceptionally cheap, it’s nearly half the price of $3,499.

Gurman also stated that this budget-friendly version might employ iPhone-grade chips rather than Mac-grade ones, reduce the number of cameras, and come equipped with a lower-resolution screen to cut costs.

It’s worth noting that forgoing an external display would mean Apple is eliminating a significant feature of the Vision Pro – EyeSight.

Upon first encountering the Vision Pro, individuals unfamiliar with VR technology might think the front of the device is a transparent glass, but in reality, it is an opaque display screen that also includes cameras, sensors, and chips, among other components.

Mike Rockwell, Vice President of the Vision Pro technology development team, explained that the display screen is not only curved but also lens-shaped. This means that users will see different images from various angles, in contrast to traditional 2D displays that can make the user’s eyes look unnatural, especially from a side view.

When someone approaches a user wearing the Vision Pro, the device’s field of view becomes transparent, allowing the user to see the person approaching, and the approaching person can also see the user’s eyes. When users are immersed in a spatial environment or using an app, EyeSight provides visual cues, letting others know what the user is focusing on.

In addition to developing a more affordable model, Apple is also working on a mature second-generation Vision Pro product. The new headset will have a smaller, lighter body and provide a more comfortable fit.

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(Image: Apple)

As reported by CNA on October 16th, Market speculations rise as NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang’s visit to Taiwan for Foxconn Technology Day draws attention. Industry sources suggest potential collaborations in server and electric vehicle sectors.

Jensen Huang is set to visit Taiwan for Foxconn Technology Day, continuing discussions about possible partnerships between the tech giants. Industry experts have noted that the collaboration between NVIDIA and Foxconn extends primarily into the server sector, but there may also be untapped collaboration opportunities in the electric vehicle domain.

The market has been abuzz with speculation about Jensen Huang’s visit, following his visit to Taiwan in May. It is anticipated that he will participate in Foxconn Technology Day scheduled for October 18. Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics manufacturer, has remained tight-lipped about Huang’s visit. Nevertheless, the NVIDIA CEO has already arrived in Taiwan and was seen enjoying the local night markets, happily taking photos with fans.

Regarding Jensen Huang’s visit and the possible partnership with Foxconn, Dr. Arisa Liu , Research Fellow and Director of the Industrial Economic Information Database at Taiwan Institute of Economic Research (TIER), pointed out that while the primary focus of the collaboration between NVIDIA and Foxconn lies in the server sector, Foxconn is aggressively expanding its electric vehicle (EV) ventures, creating space for potential cooperation between the two tech giants in the EV field.

Dr. Liu emphasized that the recent negative press regarding artificial intelligence (AI) has raised concerns about the future growth prospects of AI. Additionally, NVIDIA is currently under investigation by the European Union for antitrust issues. Thus, Huang’s visit will be closely observed to determine whether it can help bolster the momentum in the supply chain.

The partnership between Foxconn and NVIDIA dates back to several years, with Jensen Huang holding a private meeting with Foxconn Chairman Young Liu during his visit to Taiwan in May. Last year, Foxconn’s subsidiary, Industrial Internet (IIoT) company Foxconn Industrial Internet (FII), announced the adoption of NVIDIA’s Grace CPU system for high-performance data centers and edge computing applications. FII introduced server systems powered by NVIDIA’s Grace CPU superchip, catering to the growing demand for efficient data centers.

In January of this year, Foxconn and NVIDIA announced a strategic partnership to collaborate on automotive and autonomous driving platforms. As part of the agreement, Foxconn became NVIDIA’s first-tier manufacturer, responsible for producing electronic control units (ECUs) based on NVIDIA’s DRIVE Orin system-on-a-chip (SoC) design for the global automotive market.

The tech industry will be closely monitoring Jensen Huang’s visit to Taiwan and the Foxconn Technology Day event for further insights into the evolving collaborations and strategic directions between Foxconn and NVIDIA.

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(Image: NVIDIA)

According to China’s 21jingji.com, Guangzhou Auto Group (GAC) announced on October 12th that its board of directors has approved an investment of up to $1.49 billion in Didi’s autonomous driving company. This investment is made through GAC Capital and Guangzhou Development District Investment Group in the form of a special fund, with each contributing equally to its establishment.

GAC’s contribution to GAC Capital will not exceed $0.75 billion, and this capital injection will support Didi’s continuous research and development efforts in autonomous driving technology, accelerating product applications and fostering open collaboration within the industry.

Not the first GAC-DiDi collaboration

In May 2021, GAC Aion and Didi’s autonomous driving company announced their joint effort to develop a mass-market, self-driving electric vehicle. In May 2023, they deepened their collaboration with the “AIDI Project,” marking the establishment of a joint venture. This initiative is a groundbreaking move towards the large-scale production of self-driving, new-energy vehicles in China.

The first mass-produced model, based on GAC Aion’s AEP3.0 high-end electric vehicle platform, will integrate Didi’s autonomous driving L4 urban generalized engine, as well as its self-driving technology for ride-hailing services. By 2025, these vehicles are expected to join Didi’s shared mobility network, facilitating 24/7, large-scale autonomous ride-hailing services and speeding up the commercialization of L4 autonomous driving.

Apart from the investment in Didi’s autonomous driving company, GAC has made various moves in the autonomous driving field. In August this year, GAC’s ride-hailing app platform “Ruqi” submitted its prospectus to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, making its mark as the first autonomous driving operation technology company to go public.

Next Stop for China’s Robotaxi

Robotaxi is a pivotal scenario likely to lead the commercialization of autonomous driving before widespread adoption. GAC’s “Ruqi” has been actively pushing forward the commercialization of Robotaxi and autonomous driving technology over the past two years.

Robotaxi started the development and commercialization in 2021. In October 2022, a hybrid operation combining human-driven ride-hailing and Robotaxi service was launched in Guangzhou. In April 2023, Ruqi obtained the Intelligent Connected Vehicle Demonstration Operation Qualification in Guangzhou’s Nansha District, becoming the first domestic autonomous driving service platform in China to demonstrate operations with a self-developed Robotaxi fleet.

The fundraising from the prospectus submission is intended to be used primarily for the research and development of autonomous driving and Robotaxi operational services (about 40% of the funds) and product upgrades and operational efficiency improvements of mobility services (about 20% of the funds).

Path to Commercializing Autonomous Taxis in China

With the impetus from new players like Tesla, car manufacturers typically follow two paths in autonomous driving development: self-research and collaboration with suppliers. In the new trend, the outreach of automotive suppliers is expanding, as seen in the strategic investments by SAIC Group, General Motors in Momenta, Toyota’s investment in Pony.ai, and GAC’s strategic investment in WeRide

Some high-ranking executives in the autonomous driving industry believe that four key elements are required for the technology’s success: a shared mobility network, autonomous driving technology, support from automotive manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers, and substantial capital support.

Era of Auto-Driving Is Coming                        

UBS Group predicts that by 2030, the global market for autonomous ride-hailing services may exceed $2 trillion, with China being a major force. IHS Markit has also predicted that by 2030, the total market size for shared mobility in China will reach $2.25 trillion, with a compound annual growth rate ranging from 20% to 28%. In this scenario, Robotaxi is expected to account for 60% of the market, with a size of $1.3 trillion, signifying a shift in the future of the ride-hailing market toward autonomous vehicle services.

(Image: Didi)

TSMC is in the process of constructing a semiconductor factory in Kikuyo-cho, Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan (referred to as Plant 1). Production is expected to commence in December 2024. Besides this facility, TSMC has shown interest in establishing a second plant in Japan (referred to as Plant 2). According to Japanese reports, the government is considering providing TSMC with a substantial subsidy of up to 900 billion Japanese Yen for Plant 2.

On October 4, during the Public-Private Partnership Forum on Increasing Domestic Investment led by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, plans were announced for economic measures to be finalized within October. The Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry of Japan (METI) will request a budget of 3.4 trillion Japanese Yen to establish three funds supporting semiconductor production and research and development. These funds are the ” Research and Development Project of the Enhanced Infrastructures for Post-5G Information and Communication Systems,” the “Specified Semiconductor Funding Program,” and the “Ensuring Stable Supply Support Fund.”

As reported by Asahi Shimbun, sources suggest that the METI deems it necessary to grant 900 billion Japanese Yen in subsidies for TSMC’s proposed Plant 2, nearly 600 billion Japanese Yen for the “Rapidus” national team aiming to produce next-gen semiconductor chips domestically, and 700 billion Japanese Yen for traditional chips like Sony CMOS image sensors.

The Japanese government will allocate the required funds for these economic measures in the 2023 fiscal year supplementary budget. If the METI’s budget request is approved, the budget for semiconductor-elated activities in the 2023 fiscal year supplementary budget (3.4 trillion Japanese Yen) will be 2.6 times higher than that in the 2022 fiscal year supplementary budget (1.3 trillion Japanese Yen).

The Kishida administration also announced plans to ease land restrictions for crucial manufacturing facilities such as semiconductor plants during the forum. As early as December, local governments will be able to issue development permits for agricultural land, forests, and other areas.

Before that, local governments could only grant permits for industries related to food logistics, data centers, and plant facilities. Now, this is being expanded to include vital strategic materials. Furthermore, changing the land category from agricultural land often required approvals from multiple government departments, a process that could take more than a year. In the future, these procedures are expected to be shortened to around four months.

(Image: Briáxis F. Mendes (孟必思), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)