Zoox's robot taxi meets the level 5 autonomy mark.
Harman, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, is supplying components for robot taxi outfit, Zoox, reports say. Zoox is a subsidiary of the world's largest e-commerce company, Amazon.
South Korean media outlet Money Today reported that Harman's Telematic Control Unit (TCU) recently obtained certification from the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the control unit used in Zoox's fully autonomous Level 5 driving Electric Vehicle (EV).
Samsung previously provided Zoox with TCU samples, reports said. The samples act as the brains of connected cars.
They manage external communication for Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) operations. They also serve as a crucial part of in-car infotainment.
Zoox can connect with sensors on surrounding vehicles, track vehicle positions, and exchange information. This helps to ensure a safe driving environment.
Zoox is a self-driving mobility startup. It was founded in California, USA, in 2014.
Amazon acquired Zoox for around US$1.2 billion in 2020. The e-commerce giant is focused on nurturing Zoox's unmanned robot taxi business.
No driving seat
The L5 is Zoox's fully autonomous car. It does not have a driver's seat.
The car can accommodate four passengers. Two of the seats face each other.
Cameras and radar are installed at the four corners of the vehicle. The cameras solve blind spot problems and provide a panoramic view of up to 150 meters.
Some of the car's specifications have not been disclosed. However, it is understood to be equipped with a computing system capable of executing complex calculations quickly.
Trippy
There is no difference between the front and back of Zoox's fully autonomous car. This allows the car to travel in both directions.
The car's wheels can move independently. This enables smooth movement even in narrow urban spaces.
It is equipped with a 133kWh battery. This provides up to 16 hours of driving on a single charge,
The car has a maximum speed of 120 kilometers per hour. It communicates with the outside through sound and light.
Here comes Zoox
Zoox made an appearance at CES 2023 and 2024. The car attracted a significant amount of industry attention.
It is reported that Amazon will expand its fully autonomous driving business through Zoox. Zoox is currently conducting extensive road tests to confirm its safety.
Harman recently unveiled the Harman Ready Connect 5G TCU at the Mobile World Congress (MWC 2024). The 5G TCU features Qualcomm's Snapdragon Auto 5G Modem-RF 2nd Generation digital chassis, allowing for upgradability and expansion of functionalities to meet the evolving needs of the mobile market.
Samsung acquired Harman for US$8 billion in 2017. Harman successfully commercialized the world's first TCU with 5G technology in 2020.
Samsung is expanding its presence in the electronics field through cutting-edge IT technologies such as wireless communications and panels, seeking synergies.
