Latest news with #A2Z
Business Times
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Times
Grab to roll out autonomous shuttle bus trial at one-north
[Singapore] Grab announced the launch of its first autonomous electric shuttle bus pilot on Tuesday (Jul 8) in Singapore, in collaboration with Autonomous A2Z (A2Z), a Korean full-stack autonomous vehicle technology manufacturer. Starting tomorrow, the self-driving shuttle will operate on a fixed 3.9km route between Grab's headquarters at one-north and the nearby one-north MRT station. The autonomous shuttle will serve Grab employees for two hours daily during off-peak periods, with additional hours dedicated to further training. Grab and A2Z will closely monitor ride performance and safety outcomes before opening up more time slots. The vehicle is equipped with A2Z's full-stack autonomous technology and Grab's Internet of Things (IoT) systems, and will operate with a trained safety driver onboard at all times. It is also equipped with 11 sensors and has a 360-degree view of its surroundings, enabling it to detect and safely manoeuvre around new objects and sudden obstacles. 'Safety is Grab's top priority, and we are committed to taking a cautious and calibrated approach to autonomous technology pilots,' said Yee Wee Tang, Grab's regional head of operations. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up 'Through this initiative, we are evaluating the safety performance of autonomous technologies and exploring the potential new job opportunities this sector could create,' he added. A2Z's managing director Ryan Kim said the trial is the company's first deployment in Singapore and will help test the commercial viability of autonomous shuttles in Singapore, as well as explore their potential to alleviate manpower shortages in Singapore's public transport sector. As part of the trial, Grab is also training driver-partners and members of the National Private Hire Vehicles Association to become part-time safety drivers, with five already enrolled in the programme. The pilot comes on the heels of Grab's regional partnerships with several autonomous vehicle firms, and is part of its broader strategy to support Singapore's autonomous vehicle ambitions.
CNA
6 days ago
- Automotive
- CNA
Grab launches autonomous shuttle bus for its employees between office and MRT station
SINGAPORE: Grab will be shuttling employees between its one-north office and the MRT station with an autonomous vehicle (AV) starting Wednesday (Jul 9). The 22-seater electric shuttle bus will operate daily during the off-peak hours of 2pm to 4pm, the local tech firm announced on Tuesday, adding that employees can track the vehicle's location using the Grab app. A trained safety driver will be present at all times to 'ensure passenger safety and smooth operations', said Grab in a statement. The shuttle will only be available to Grab employees and is operated in collaboration with Autonomous A2Z, a Korean AV manufacturer. A2Z's business and international managing director Ryan Kim said that A2Z has been collaborating closely with Grab, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and local safety drivers to prepare for AV operations in Singapore. 'The pilot will enable us to better assess the commercial viability of autonomous shuttles in addressing first- and last-mile commute challenges while exploring their potential to alleviate manpower shortages in the public transport sector,' he said. He added that A2Z and Grab will share insights from the initiative with the government to 'support Singapore's broader AV ambitions'. Grab's initiative comes days after it was announced that Singapore will be trialling AVs in Punggol from the fourth quarter of this year. Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow said last month that AVs will be plying fixed routes in Punggol. Prior to the launch, the autonomous shuttle went through over 100 hours of 'training' on the fixed 3.9km route connecting Grab's office to one-north station. Information on lane markings, traffic lights and obstacles was collected. The shuttle was also trained to respond to real-world scenarios such as stopping at zebra crossings, traffic lights and unplanned scenarios such as traffic obstructions. The AV is equipped with 11 sensors and has a 360-degree view of its surroundings. 'If an issue with the sensors or systems is detected, the in-built safety algorithm will ensure the bus comes to a safe and complete stop,' said Grab. Other than the two hours of operations daily, there will be an additional hour of further training for the vehicle. Both Grab and A2Z will closely monitor ride performance and safety outcomes before opening up more time slots. During a demonstration with media on board, the autonomous shuttle drove with caution - coming to a complete stop at zebra crossings even when no pedestrians were observed. The bus also kept a safe distance from any stopped or incoming vehicles and backed out from a lane change when a vehicle abruptly cut in. Whenever a cyclist or jaywalker appeared, even if they were a distance away, the bus would jerk to a stop to avoid any chance of an accident. A screen on the bus indicated whether it was in 'autonomous mode' or 'manual mode'. Other information such as speed, direction and arrival time was also shown. Through the pilot, Grab also looks to explore how Singapore workers, such as platform workers, can upskill and transition into emerging roles in the AV sector. For a start, Grab aims to train up to 10 safety drivers by the end of the year. Five drivers are currently undergoing training. Grab's regional head of operations Yee Wee Tang said that safety is a top priority. 'Through this initiative, we are evaluating the safety performance of autonomous technologies and exploring the potential new job opportunities this sector could create,' he said.
Web Release
22-03-2025
- Automotive
- Web Release
AUTONOMOUS A2Z Climbs to 11th in Global Automated Driving Solutions Rankings, Strengthens Market Presence
Guidehouse Insights, a U.S.-based market research firm, evaluates AV companies annually based on corporate vision, market strategy, partnerships, product development, and technological capabilities. This year, the ranking expanded from 16 to 20 companies, reflecting intensifying global competition as autonomous trucking firms entered the list. As the only South Korean company included, AUTONOMOUS A2Z continues to lead the country's AV ecosystem. The firm also advanced from the 'Challengers' category to 'Contenders,' signaling progress in commercialization and market positioning. Commercialization and Global Expansion Drive Growth Guidehouse Insights attributed AUTONOMOUS A2Z's improved ranking to its forward-thinking strategy that focuses on autonomous shuttle, international partnerships and government-supported commercialization efforts. The company received strong scores for corporate vision (85 points) and market entry strategy (75 points), reflecting its forward-thinking approach. A2Z plans to launch its ROii Level 4 autonomous shuttle in late 2025. The company is accelerating global expansion. Unlike competitors prioritizing robotaxis, AUTONOMOUS A2Z is focusing on autonomous shuttles for public transportation, a strategy gaining industry traction. To further strengthen its international presence, the firm has established two strategic joint ventures: – A2D (Abu Dhabi Autonomous Driving) with Abu Dhabi listed AI firm to form UAE-South Korea Joint Venture for Autonomous Mobility to expand in the Middle East – A2G (Autonomous2Global) with KILSA Global, a Singapore-based market entry services provider, to accelerate expansion into Southeast Asia. Additionally, AUTONOMOUS A2Z has achieved 96% localization in AV manufacturing through partnerships with Samsung SDI and leading Korean auto parts suppliers, contributing to its strong partnership score (72 points) in the Guidehouse Insights evaluation. Industry Giants Maintain Lead, But South Korea Gains Ground Despite the rise of new challengers, U.S. and Chinese companies continue to dominate the AV industry, with 15 American and three Chinese firms securing spots in the rankings. Waymo remains at No. 1, followed by Baidu at No. 2 and Mobileye at No. 3. Among the 'Contenders,' Nvidia ranks No. 4, while Motional, a Hyundai-Aptiv joint venture, holds 15th place. Tesla, despite its aggressive push in autonomous driving, ranks last at No. 20. AUTONOMOUS A2Z operates with the lowest cumulative funding among the top 20 companies, at KRW 52 billion ($39 million) as of December 2023, yet continues to expand steadily. Government Backing Fuels AUTONOMOUS A2Z's Climb in Global AV Rankings AUTONOMOUS A2Z's ascent in the latest Guidehouse Insights rankings underscores its ability to compete on the global stage despite operating with significantly lower funding than industry heavyweights. CEO Ji-hyeong Han credits the company's progress to South Korea's forward-leaning regulatory framework and strong government support for AV commercialization. 'South Korea's proactive policies, such as the Level 4 AV sales framework, have been instrumental in accelerating commercialization by allowing legally certified autonomous vehicles to enter the market,' Han said. 'The K-City testbed, provided by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority (KATRI), has also played a critical role in advancing our technology. We're deeply appreciative of this support.' Looking ahead, Han reaffirmed the company's commitment to innovation and global expansion, positioning South Korea as a key player in the evolving autonomous mobility landscape. 'We will continue to push the boundaries of AV technology and scale our market presence, ensuring South Korea plays a leading role in shaping the future of transportation.' Scaling a Distinctive Strategy for Global Growth Founded in 2018 by former Hyundai Motor engineers (Ji-hyeong Han, Young-chul Oh, Byung-yong You, and Myung-seon Heo) AUTONOMOUS A2Z has quickly emerged as South Korea's premier AV startup. The company operates the country's largest autonomous vehicle fleet (51 units) and has logged 570,000 km of real-world autonomous driving experience. While many competitors are doubling down on robotaxis, AUTONOMOUS A2Z has carved out a niche in autonomous shuttles for public transit, a market gaining traction as cities rethink urban mobility. The company's roadmap is closely aligned with South Korea's national mobility strategy, which aims to commercialize Level 4 AVs by 2027. With an ambitious expansion push into the Middle East and Southeast Asia, AUTONOMOUS A2Z is cementing its foothold in the global autonomous transportation sector—proving that strategic execution, not just capital, drives industry leadership.
Associated Press
27-01-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
A2Z Cust2Mate Solutions Corp. Announces Proposed Public Offering
TEL AVIV, IL / ACCESS Newswire / January 27, 2025 / A2Z Cust2Mate Solutions Corp. (NASDAQ:AZ)(FRA - WKN: A3CSQ) (the 'Company' or 'A2Z'), a global leader in innovative technology solutions, today announced that it is proposing to offer and sell its common shares in an underwritten public offering. The offering is subject to market and other conditions, and there can be no assurance as to whether or when the offering may be completed, or as to the actual size or terms of the offering. All securities to be sold in the offering will be offered by A2Z. A2Z intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for continued development and expansion of existing business, including fulfilment of contracted smart cart backlog orders and acceleration of the onboarding process for new clients, and for working capital purposes. Titan Partners Group, a division of American Capital Partners, is acting as sole bookrunner for this offering. The securities described above will be offered pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-271226), which was previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC') and became effective on April 21, 2023. A preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus relating to and describing the terms of the offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC's website located at copies of which may be obtained, when available, by contacting Titan Partners Group LLC, a division of American Capital Partners, LLC, 4 World Trade Center, 29th Floor, New York, New York 10007, by phone at (929) 833-1246 or by email at [email protected]. This offering will be made only by means of the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus forming a part of the effective registration statement. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction. About A2Z Cust2Mate Solutions Corp. A2Z Cust2Mate Solutions Corp. creates innovative solutions for complex challenges. A2Z's flagship product is the world's first proven-in-use mobile self-checkout shopping cart. With its user-friendly smart algorithm, touch screen, and other technologies, Cust2Mate streamlines the retail shopping experience by scanning purchased products and enabling in-cart payment so that customers can simply 'pick & go', and bypass long cashier checkout lines. This results in a more efficient shopping experience for customers, less unused shelf-space and manpower requirements, and advanced command and control capabilities for store managers. Forward Looking Statements Matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'estimate,' 'may,' 'intend,' 'expect' and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. These statements include, without limitation, statements related to our ability to close the public offering and the use of proceeds. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of the Company and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: the market and other conditions, the impact of geopolitical, economic, competitive and other factors affecting the Company and its operations, and other factors detailed in reports filed by the Company with the SEC.
