IN D U ST RY N EW S SELF-DRIVING TRUCK FIRM RAISES US$95m New technology can automate parts of longhaul transport Autonomous trucking firm TuSimple has raised US$95 million to expand its fleet of self-driving big rigs and fund product joint development with truck manufacturers and equipment makers, the company has announced. The company, which was founded in 2015 and has around 500 employees, is developing technology aimed at making long-haul trucking cheaper and more efficient, in part by allowing semi-trucks to operate beyond the 11-hour daily limit in place for human drivers. TuSimples technology is built around cameras that it claims provide better long-range predictive capabilities than lidar the technology used in most self-driving passenger cars that creates a 3D laser view of the environment.The companys cameras can see about 1km or 3,280ft ahead. The company, which has offices in the US and China, has two delivery routes in Arizona that deploy its technology on retrofitted trucks, with backup drivers and engineers on board. The average run is about 200 miles and is automated from end to end, including surface-street navigation, said Chuck Price, TuSimples Chief Product Officer. However, a human driver is required to back the truck up to loading docks. The firm plans five new routes in the US, including one running between Arizona and Texas along Interstate 10, using facilities located within a few miles of the highway. It currently has 11 vehicles in its fleet, which it plans to expand to more than 50 by June. TuSimples Series D funding round was led by Chinese firm Sina Corp, known for its Weibo microblogging platform. Hong Kong-based investment firm Composite Capital Management also participated in the round, which bringsthe companys total funding to US$178 million, with a post-funding valuation of US$1.095 billion. Pedal power boosts youth charity Kevin Hamilton, Manager of AGSVietnamBranch, not affiliated to FIDI, andAGS Ho Chi Minh CityOperations Supervisor, Nguyen Thanh Hien, took part in the annual Saigon Children Charity (SCC) Cycle Adventure to raise funds for disadvantaged children. Second-time participant Hamilton, pictured right, was motivated by last years challenge and encouraged first-timer Hien to compete. The 300km circuit connects the cities of Hue 10 FF290 pp10-11 Industry News.indd 10 and Hoi An, passing over the magnificent Cloud Pass and 21km of mountainous roads. Each of the three days included a course of about 100km and, although Hamilton and Hien were prepared for the event, the race was a physical feat for all athletes. In addition to the terrain, cyclists faced epic climatic conditions in the shape of a storm and almostconstant rain over the three days. This latest SCC Cycle Adventure collected US$34,000 in donations via the justgiving.com platform. Founded in 1992, SCC supports more than 2,000 disadvantaged Vietnamese children every year through scholarships. Hamilton said: We are proud to contribute to this vital cause. Cycling mountain roads is challenging, but when you think about why you do it, it gives you wings. Education is paramount. It has the power to break the cycle of poverty, and that is a very worthy goal. WWW. F I D I . OR G 14/03/2019 15:11