The Short Cut: Summer Tech Spotlight

Summer is here and so are the hottest trends in tech and mobility! From exploring San Francisco in driverless cars to the mapping in the upcoming Paris Olympics, there’s plenty to discover and enjoy this month’s edition!

Experience the future: Touring San Francisco in driverless cars

San Francisco’s iconic cable cars now have a high-tech counterpart: driverless cars. Tourists like David De Clercq are flocking to the city not only for its famous landmarks but also to experience a ride in a self-driving car. Waymo, owned by Alphabet, is currently the only company offering public rides in San Francisco.

These autonomous vehicles, outfitted with radar, LiDAR and cameras, have become a must-try for visitors, providing a futuristic yet cautious ride through the city’s streets. Despite some public backlash and safety concerns, the novelty of these robotaxis is drawing significant attention, transforming them into a unique tourist attraction. Read the full story on The New York Times.

Driverless trucks in action at Swedish port

While San Francisco tourists marvel at driverless cars, autonomous technology is also making waves at the Port of Helsingborg in Sweden.

EasyMile has introduced its EZTug driverless terminal tractor to test the feasibility and effectiveness of autonomous solutions for container transportation. The deployment is part of the Helsingborg Horizontal Transportation Automation project, aimed at integrating automation technologies to enhance cargo handling capabilities. The EZTug operates on a 2km route, navigating mixed traffic conditions and is designed to handle up to 32 tons. Equipped with redundant sensors, it ensures safe navigation and precise container transfer.

Mapping the 2024 Paris Olympics

As the 2024 Paris Olympics approach, maps are becoming more essential than ever for navigating the event’s expansive venues. From guiding visitors to different sports arenas to helping them explore the city, maps are the heroes of large-scale events.

TomTom’s advanced traffic management services will play a vital role in keeping Paris moving smoothly during the Olympics. By leveraging our comprehensive traffic data, in collaboration with PTV Group, we'll ensure that athletes, officials and spectators can travel efficiently throughout the city. At times like these, maps come to the rescue, helping visitors navigate expansive venues and ensuring everyone finds their way to the action. They highlight both their practical use and artistic value.

Maps highlight shifts in weather patterns

Maps and weather are synonymous, demonstrating how vital maps are in understanding and visualizing our changing world. A recent study, published in April in the Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology shows tornado activity shifting eastward from the traditional Tornado Alley to the Southeast U.S., putting more densely populated areas at risk. This shift means regions previously less prone to tornadoes are now experiencing more frequent and severe storms, emphasizing the need for updated preparedness and response strategies, reported by CBS News.

Additionally, a week ago, weather maps predicted an “Iberian blast” bringing unusually hot weather to the UK, with temperatures soaring due to warm air masses moving north from Spain. These maps can help residents and authorities prepare for heatwaves, illustrating the power of maps in helping us comprehend and adapt to evolving weather patterns, ensuring we stay informed and prepared.

A new approach to create detailed lunar surface maps

High-resolution maps of the moon’s surface are changing the game for space exploration by providing essential data for future missions. At Brown University, researchers have developed detailed lunar topography maps using advanced laser technology, which reveals the moon’s intricate terrain.

According to the study, these maps are critical for planning landing sites and navigating the lunar landscape more efficiently. Besides mission planning, these maps deepen our understanding of the moon’s geological history. By studying the topography, scientists gain insights into the processes that have shaped the lunar surface over billions of years. As we push forward in space exploration, having accurate, high-resolution maps like these is crucial for exploring and understanding celestial bodies.

OpenStreetMap highlights at UNMaps Conference and upcoming State of the Map Europe 2024

OpenStreetMap (OSM) made a big impact at the UNMaps Conference 2024, showing how open mapping can tackle global issues. The event featured talks on how collaborative mapping helps with disaster response, urban planning and sustainable development. Highlighting how OSM’s accessible and accurate maps are vital for humanitarian efforts and infrastructure projects.

Looking ahead, the State of the Map Europe 2024 is coming up to be held in Łódź, Poland, from 18–21 July 2024. This event will gather mapping leaders and professionals to discuss the latest in the field. Also, OSM offers a volunteering opportunity at the Łódź University of Technology premises. You can also stay up to date on OSM events and community activities by visiting our newly launched OSM community and partnerships page.

Electric vehicles drive growth in mining equipment market

Electric and autonomous vehicle technology is not only transforming the automotive industry but is also driving significant growth in the mining equipment market. A recent report highlight how the increasing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is boosting the need for advanced mining equipment, particularly for the extraction of essential minerals like lithium, cobalt and nickel used in EV batteries.

The shift towards electric and autonomous mining machinery is helping companies enhance operational efficiency, reduce emissions and improve safety. By adopting these technologies, mining firms can better meet the growing demand for EV materials while also adhering to stricter environmental regulations.

IEA projections comparing EV mineral demand from 2020 to 2040. Credit, IEA, https://www.iea.org/reports/the-role-of-critical-minerals-in-clean-energy-transitions/mineral-requirements-for-clean-energy-transitions

EU investigates Chinese EV subsidies; UK advised against similar tariffs

Following a nine-month long investigation, the European Commission has provisionally concluded that EV makers in China did benefit from unfair subsidies. According to an EC press release, the subsidies were unfairly threatening EU battery electric vehicle makers, allowing China-based EV makers to undercut their European competition by up to 20%. The commission is now in conversation with Chinese authorities to explore a resolution.

If conversations do not reach a suitable end, the EU could impose tariffs ranging from 17% to 38% on Chinese EV imports to protect the European automotive industry. The individual duties the Commission would apply to the three sampled Chinese producers (BYD, Geely and SAIC) are 17.4%, 20% and 38.1%, respectively.

Meanwhile, In the UK, industry experts and trade bodies are advising the government not to follow the European Union’s lead in imposing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. They argue that such measures could disrupt trade relations and lead to higher prices for consumers. Instead, they suggest that the UK focus on enhancing its own automotive industry’s competitiveness through innovation and investment, rather than engaging in trade disputes. This approach aims to balance fair competition with the benefits of maintaining good trade relations with China.

University of Alabama develops new tech to make buses safer

The University of Alabama is leading a project to develop advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) for buses, funded by a $6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). This initiative aims to enhance public transportation safety and efficiency by creating systems that assist bus drivers with tasks such as collision avoidance, lane keeping and pedestrian detection. By integrating these technologies, the project seeks to reduce accidents and improve the reliability of bus services.

Dr. Bharat Balasubramanian, executive director of the Center for Advanced Vehicle Technologies at the University of Alabama, highlighted the project’s significance. He noted that buses, due to their size and the complexity of urban driving, can greatly benefit from ADAS technologies. The goal is to implement these systems to improve driver performance and passenger safety, contributing to a safer and more efficient public transportation network.

Key Takeaways from the ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle Technology Expo

In our last edition, we mentioned the ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle Technology Expo. Here’s a quick rundown of what was covered at the event in Stuttgart.

The expo highlighted the latest advancements in autonomous driving and ADAS technologies. Key features included new sensor technologies, AI-driven safety systems and innovative simulation tools. Industry leaders like dSpace and AVL showcased their newest solutions for software-defined vehicles, such as high-performance computing (HPC) systems and integrated development environments, as well as advanced virtual testing environments.

Rising insurance costs for EVs: Can you keep up?

Electric vehicles (EVs) are often praised for their lower running costs compared to traditional gasoline cars but rising insurance premiums are complicating the matter. Insurance rates for electric vehicles have been rising, making the total cost of ownership less appealing for some consumers.

On average, insuring an EV costs about 20% more than insuring a gasoline-powered vehicle. This is primarily due to the higher costs associated with repairing or replacing EV components when they do go wrong, especially the batteries, which can range from $4,000 to $20,000 depending on the model. That said, the chances an EV has a catastrophic breakdown of battery or motor is low.

For example, the average monthly insurance cost for an EV is around $337, compared to $282 for traditional cars from established manufacturers. Despite these higher insurance costs, EVs still offer long-term savings through lower fuel and maintenance expenses. As EV technology becomes more widespread and repair infrastructures improve, insurance rates are expected to stabilize, making EV ownership more economically viable in the future.

That’s it for this edition of The Short Cut! Make sure to check back for more exciting updates in technology, mobility and mapping. Until next time!