Xpeng's AI Chip Breakthrough, Texas Instruments' New Automotive Chips, and Vatn-Palantir Partnership

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In this edition of the Robotics Brief, we delve into the latest advancements in AI chips and their applications across various sectors. Xpeng, a prominent Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, is set to integrate its own Turing AI chip into its semi-autonomous vehicles, promising enhanced performance over existing Nvidia chips. Meanwhile, Texas Instruments has introduced a new lineup of automotive chips designed to boost vehicle safety and autonomy, featuring innovations like high-speed lidar laser drivers and mmWave radar sensors.

Additionally, the newsletter highlights significant collaborations and investments in the AI and robotics landscape. Vatn Systems has teamed up with Palantir Technologies to streamline the production of autonomous underwater vehicles for the U.S. military. In the realm of autonomous driving, Hesai Group is equipping Didi and GAC Aion's Level 4 Robotaxi with its AT128 lidar technology, marking a step forward in mass-produced autonomous vehicles. Stay tuned for more updates on how these developments are shaping the future of AI and robotics.

Former Ola Electric AI Director Launches xSpecies AI

Srikanth Vidapanakal, previously the AI Director at Ola Electric, has founded a new startup, xSpecies AI, in India to develop general purpose robots and humanoids. Read more

Xpeng to Use Own AI Chip in Cars

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng plans to integrate its own Turing AI chip, which is significantly more powerful than the current Nvidia chip, into its semi-autonomous cars starting this quarter. Read more

Vatn Systems and Palantir Partner for AUV Manufacturing

Vatn Systems has partnered with Palantir Technologies to improve the production of autonomous underwater vehicles for the U.S. military, utilizing Palantir's software to enhance efficiency and speed. Read more

Saronic Acquires Gulf Craft for Autonomous Shipbuilding

On April 16, 2025, Saronic announced its acquisition of Gulf Craft to enhance its autonomous shipbuilding capabilities, including the development of a new 150-foot ASV named 'Marauder'. Read more

Xaba Secures $6M from Hitachi Ventures for AI Robotics

Xaba, a Toronto-based startup, has received a $6 million seed investment from Hitachi Ventures to further develop synthetic brains for industrial robots, aiming to improve AI-powered robotics and reduce manufacturing costs. Read more

Kodiak Robotics to Go Public via Ares Acquisition Merger

Kodiak Robotics, Inc. has announced a business combination with Ares Acquisition Corporation II to become a publicly-listed company, valuing Kodiak at $2.5 billion. Read more

ViTai Robotics Secures $13.8M from Xiaomi for Robot Development

Shanghai-based ViTai Robotics has raised $13.8 million, with major investment from Xiaomi, to advance humanoid robot visual-tactile sensing systems. Read more

Blue Water Autonomy Secures $14M for Navy Ships

Blue Water Autonomy, Inc. has announced $14 million in seed funding to develop autonomous ships for the U.S. Navy, with backing from Eclipse, Riot, and Impatient Ventures. Read more

U.S. Navy and Coast Guard Highlight AI's Role in Military Superiority

At the Sea-Air-Space conference, leaders from the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard stressed the importance of AI and autonomous systems in maintaining military dominance. Read more

AgriRobot Joins EU Project for Farm Robotics

AgriRobot, a Danish agritech startup, is participating in the €4.97 million EU-funded AgRibot project to enhance robotics and AI in agriculture over four years. Read more

Hugging Face Acquires Pollen Robotics

Hugging Face has acquired Pollen Robotics to advance open source AI robotics, focusing on transparency and developer collaboration. Read more

RLWRLD Secures $14.8M for AI Robotics Model

South Korean startup RLWRLD has raised $14.8 million in seed funding to develop an AI model to enhance robotics capabilities, with backing from investors like LG Electronics and SK Telecom. Read more

Texas Instruments Launches New Automotive Chips

Texas Instruments has introduced a new range of automotive chips, including a high-speed lidar laser driver, BAW-based clocks, and a mmWave radar sensor, to enhance vehicle safety and autonomy. Read more

Overland AI Unveils Self-Driving Military Vehicle ULTRA

Overland AI has introduced ULTRA, an autonomous tactical vehicle for military use, capable of 35 MPH and off-road navigation without GPS. Read more

Phantom Neuro Raises $19M for Neural Interface Tech

Phantom Neuro, a neurotechnology company, has secured $19 million in Series A funding led by Ottobock to advance its Phantom X robotic control platform for prosthetics. The investment will support clinical trials and commercialization efforts. Read more

Hesai Group's Lidar to Equip Didi and GAC Aion's L4 Robotaxi

Hesai Group announced its AT128 lidar technology will be integrated into the first mass-produced Level 4 Robotaxi by Didi Autonomous Driving and GAC Aion. The vehicle is expected to begin mass production in 2025, with deployments starting in 2026. Read more

Spectral Capital Acquires Stake in Autonomous Driving AI Firm

Spectral Capital Corporation has acquired shares in a leading AI company specializing in autonomous vehicles, valued at $16.9 million, to foster collaboration and innovation in the sector. Read more

Scout AI Inc. Raises $15M, Secures Defense Contracts, Launches Fury

Scout AI Inc. has raised $15 million in seed funding, secured two Department of Defense contracts, and launched Fury, a robotic foundation model for defense applications. Read more

Xpeng's AI Chip Breakthrough, Texas Instruments' New Automotive Chips, and Vatn-Palantir Partnership - Robotics Brief #13

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