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Reusable SpaceX Falcon 9 launches, autonomously lands a record seventh time
Late Tuesday, SpaceX launched its sixteenth Starlink mission from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The Falcon 9 first stage rocket booster that supported this mission previously flew on six other missions. Following stage separation, SpaceX autonomously landed Falcon 9’s first stage on the “Of Course I Still Love You” droneship, which was located in the Atlantic Ocean. One half of Falcon 9’s fairing previously supported a mission, and the other half previously supported two. Falcon 9 is the world’s first orbital-class reusable rocket, the two-stage craft designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of people and payloads into Earth orbit and beyond. Reusability allows SpaceX to refly the most expensive parts of the rocket, which in turn drives down the cost of space access. To watch a replay of the launch, visit https://bit.ly/37a8XPV. To download the Falcon 9 user’s guide, visit https://bit.ly/39iIfra.
Elektrobit unveils industry-first software platform for vehicle electronics architectures
Elektrobit (EB) has launched Xelor, which is says is an industry-first software platform designed to streamline the development of next-generation automotive electronics architectures based on high-performance computing. The company developed the solution to provide automakers and Tier 1 suppliers with a secure, stable, and easily upgradable software foundation for connected and intelligent vehicles. The goal is to allow customer to focus less on automotive infrastructure and more on innovation and profitability for developing differentiating features and functions for their vehicles. The solution brings together production-proven software from EB, open-source and third-party software, and tools and services that are absolutely critical for high-performance computing environments but won’t necessarily differentiate one vehicle from another. Based on its experience with automakers on production projects involving software for high-performance computing architectures, EB conservatively estimates savings of up to 30% in overall engineering costs. The platform is optimized for environments using leading system-on-a-chip devices from NXP and Renesas. Car makers can then add their own vehicle-specific software on top of these stacks. “Every car maker is grappling with how to deal with the increased complexity of vehicle electronics engineering systems,” explained Maria Anhalt, Chief Technology Officer at Elektrobit. “EB draws upon its decades of expertise to do the heavy lifting for the car maker. We’re providing pre-integrated, production-proven software that will jump-start the process.” For more information about EB Xelor, visit https://www.elektrobit.com/eb-xelor/.
$18 Billion robot shuttle market attracts diversity, IDTechEx reports
Commercial vehicles that go battery-electric, assisted by battery life of one million miles and ranges of up to 600 mi, are imminent, says a new IDTechEx report. Next come roboshuttles, robobuses, robotrucks, and robotaxis, with driver elimination reducing cost through intensive use, according to “Robot Shuttles and Autonomous Buses 2020-2040.” For cities, roboshuttles will replace ten or more vehicle types, and they will be allowed to go where none of these are allowed, such as down paths, across plazas, into shopping malls, symmetrical so no U-turns, with some even moving sideways when needed. However, roboshuttle proponents will need to wait until 2030 or so to go big time with trusted, safe, insurable, legal, and affordable SAE Level 5 autonomy. Then exponential growth to $18 billion in 2040 awaits. Currently there are 36 roboshuttle projects in 15 countries with trials in 20 countries. The primary examples emerging are upright, boxy, 8-20 person symmetrical vehicles; with small footprint, all-round vision, and large sliding doors; that are quiet, zero-emission, and able to perform many tasks in one day; and surviving intensive use and gated to never exceed 50-60 km/h. Trials mainly explore new people applications, often free-of-charge, from empowering the poor and disabled, inner circulators or viably filling in gaps in the transportation network and replacing very underutilized vehicles such as school buses and private cars. For more insight, visit https://bit.ly/3q2ghpp.
TTTech Auto establishes Car.OS software unit
TTTech Auto is expanding its development scope and adapting its structure based on three distinct pillars. These include a newly set up Car.OS unit that will focus on forward-looking technology , a scaled-up customer programs unit, and a separated product development unit. The new corporate structure is part of TTTech Auto’s growth strategy and aims to enhance customer service and to unlock development capabilities in key technologies. “To bolster the industry transition to the software-based car, we are bringing in senior experts and managers that deeply understand both: agile thinking and complex OEM processes,” said Georg Kopetz, CEO, TTTech Auto. Car.OS aims to develop the best-in-class car operating system, and will build up an ecosystem with different partners to enable seamless development for customers. In the future, the company believes that dedicated operating systems will be the cornerstone to unleash computing capacities for upcoming E/E architectures. Adopting this new electronic ecosystem will enable OEMs to independently launch features and functions in fast development cycles. For more on TTTech Auto, visit https://bit.ly/2HJxpiw.
Valuates Reports says eVTOL aircraft market could reach $87.64 billion by 2026
The global eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft market size is projected by Valuates Reports to reach $87.64 billion by 2026, from $46.71 billion in 2020, for a compound annual growth rate of 11.1% from 2021 to 2026. Researchers say that eVTOL aircraft offer advantages to users such as flexibility, convenience, reduced air pollution, and fast travel. Major factors driving the market growth are the need to improve operational efficiency, minimize human interference for intercity and intracity transportation, and increased investment activities worldwide. A key driver for the market is the increasing use of eVTOL for medical uses including disease outbreaks along with the growing acceptance of eVTOLs for emergency medical services. During the forecast period, the North American market is projected to witness the highest growth due to increased investments by leading eVTOL and drone manufacturers to develop urban air mobility for commercial applications. This segment’s growth can be attributed to the production by prominent market players, with aircraft now in the flight-testing stage planned to be marketed by 2025. Key players in the market include Airbus, Lilium, Bell Helicopter, Aurora Flight Sciences, Embraer, Ehang, Volocopter, Workhorse Group, Pipistrel, Kitty Hawk, Karem Aircraft, and Lift Aircraft. Commercialization will enable companies to generate a large number of taxi service provider contracts and partnerships from 2025 onwards. For more info from Valuates Reports, visit https://bit.ly/3l9iDPN.
