Home > Companies > Thought Leaders > "It’s time to raise the bar on automotive safety," says Aaron Jefferson Vice President of Product at Luminar Technologies

"It’s time to raise the bar on automotive safety," says Aaron Jefferson Vice President of Product at Luminar Technologies

Interview with Aaron Jefferson
Aaron Jefferson, Luminar Technologies' Vice President of Product, discusses a new era of next-generation vehicle safety and autonomous capabilities for production vehicles. Continue reading to learn more about the global automotive game-changer OEMs.

You have to understand what the end consumer wants and needs and marry that with the automakers’ plans and strategies for evolving their vehicle platforms

MEDIA 7: You've been at the forefront of delivering new technologies for over 20 years. What are some of the most exciting technologies you have explored in your career and look forward to discovering in the near future?
AARON JEFFERSON: It’s been incredible to witness the electrification of vehicles and the evolution of assisted driving technologies (ADAS). For me personally, I’ve always been focused on technology that can make vehicles safer and I believe Lidar will be a true game changer for safety and autonomy, which is why I’d call it the most exciting, near-term technology advancement for automotive.

M7: What are the most pressing issues you see Luminar and the industry as a whole facing in 2022?
AJ: It’s staggering that approximately 1.3 million lives are lost on roads every year, and as many as 50 million injuries caused by vehicle accidents. This is despite the increase of advanced driver assistance (ADAS) systems. In fact, according to new testing by AAA’s Automotive Engineering team, vehicles with an active driving assistance system failed to consistently avoid crashes with another car or bicycle during 15 test runs – it’s time to raise the bar on automotive safety. This is a solvable problem.
Luminar is developing an integrated hardware and software solution that enables Proactive Safety™, which surpasses traditional ADAS capabilities because it provides the vehicle with higher-confidence detections faster and farther than camera and radar, enabling proactive collision avoidance at much higher speeds. We believe Proactive Safety has the potential to be the most significant improvement in vehicle safety since the adoption of the 3-point safety belt.

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It’s critical to ensure the leadership team and the business development team agree to a roadmap that meets the needs of customers today and in the future



M7: What are your key strategies for creating a product roadmap?
AJ: There are essentially three parts to creating a compelling product roadmap. Part One is customer/market insight. You have to understand what the end consumer wants and needs and marry that with the automakers’ plans and strategies for evolving their vehicle platforms. This homework phase also has to do with understanding dynamics like supply, pricing, timing. It’s important that this phase is very data driven. If not, it will be nearly impossible to arrive at a consensus. Part two is factoring in the competitive landscape. You need to understand how your technology stack up globally against the alternatives. We have to understand where the competition is today and where it’s going to come from in the future, factoring in players just starting out and well-established. Part three is aligning your resources to deliver on the roadmap. It’s critical to ensure the leadership team and the business development team agree to a roadmap that meets the needs of customers today and in the future. It’s also important that product development and R&D teams are working towards the same priorities and milestones. Having all of these teams aligned and executing to the same plan is imperative.

M7: Luminar's Iris is the most advanced lidar solution for series production autonomy. Could you please share a little bit about Iris and the lidar technology it uses?
AJ: Iris is our sensor solution for next generation safety and autonomy that marries form and function - combining autograde performance and automotive aesthetic seamlessly. Luminar’s Iris is the first lidar-based Proactive Safety and autonomy platform to meet the rigorous performance, safety, cost and auto-grade requirements necessary for automotive series production. Luminar’s Iris sensor was architected to deliver the long-range, high resolution capability required to truly save lives and power autonomy. And, unlike competing, bolted-on solutions, Iris was designed from the beginning to be cleanly integrated into the vehicle roofline, offering the optimal vantage point for enabling autonomy while maintaining the aerodynamics and aesthetics auto enthusiasts demand. We’re working towards the launch of our Iris solution into consumer series production vehicle programs with customers like Volvo, Mercedes Benz, Polestar and more.

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Providing a full-stack autonomous system for series production programs is key to realizing our vision of making autonomous transportation safe and ubiquitous



M7: Luminar’s vision is to make autonomous transportation safe and ubiquitous. How do you ensure this through Sentinel, the industry's first full-stack autonomous solution for series?
AJ: Providing a full-stack autonomous system for series production programs is key to realizing our vision of making autonomous transportation safe and ubiquitous. Sentinel, which is currently under development, consists of a suite of sensors powered by Luminar’s perception software, capable of semantic segmentation of drivable free-space up to 80 meters, lane markers up to 150 meters, and objects beyond 250 meters. Sentinel integrates centralized decision and vehicle actuation provided by our partner Zenseact’s OnePilot software, which provides a single experience throughout the users’ journey. With OnePilot continuously assessing the surroundings to enable safe autonomous highway driving, Sentinel enables automakers to optimize this interface and ensures high levels of safety regardless of who is in control. It also features over-the-air update capability allowing automakers to seamlessly improve the functionality over time.

M7: What is your go-to resource – websites, newsletters, any other – that helps you stay updated on the industry?
AJ: My number one source of information is engaging directly with customers. We are deeply involved and working directly with our customers on development programs, which gives us the best inside track on the market and how it is evolving. Because of these early and deep engagements, no one knows our market as well as we do. By nurturing direct relationships with customers, including C-suite to C-suite connections, we have a crystal clear understanding of what the industry needs and where it’s going.

ABOUT LUMINAR TECHNOLOGIES

Luminar Technologies is a global automotive technology company ushering in a new era of vehicle safety and autonomy. For the past decade, Luminar has built an advanced hardware and software platform to enable its more than 50 industry partners, including the majority of global automotive OEMs. From Volvo Cars for consumer vehicles and Daimler Truck AG for commercial trucks, to tech partners NVIDIA and Intel’s Mobileye, Luminar is the first automotive technology company to enable next-generation safety and autonomous capabilities for production vehicles. For more information please visit www.luminartech.com.

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Revoy Launches the Ultimate Scalable Sustainability Solution for Trucking

PR Newswire | February 01, 2024

<p>Revoy, a simple and truly viable solution to decarbonize the trucking industry, today announces the launch of the Revoy EV, a simple add-on for fleets that enables an easy transition to full EV without alterations to trucks or trailers. Pioneering a new sector of commercial trucking EV solutions, Revoy's technology improves fuel efficiency from 6 - 8 mpg to 20 - 35+ mpg, representing a 70 - 90%+ reduction in emissions. Economically, adding a Revoy EV to a tractor enables companies to save thousands of dollars in fuel per truck annually, inclusive of Revoy fees.</p><p>Currently, commercial trucks and fleets account for 6.7%¹ of all of the United States' GHG emissions. Revoy is helping reduce this and propel businesses towards net zero goals. Revoy EVs are on the road today actively decarbonizing trucks, and are expanding to more areas this year.</p<p>"Trucking contributes 6.7% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the US. The current approach of wholly replacing diesel engines with batteries and electric motors is too abrupt of a transition for such a critical and underappreciated part of our economy," said Ian Rust, CEO and founder of Revoy. "EV tractors are more expensive to purchase and recharge compared to diesel, and no driver can spare the time to stop and charge for hours. Luxury passenger vehicles are not engineered to generate ROI and depreciate quickly. Making commercial vehicles the same way poses a risk to any fleet that adopts them. Revoy has engineered an electric commercial vehicle that is built as an asset first. The entire vehicle is swappable in under five minutes, so no waiting on a charge, and can operate on any trucker's existing vehicle with no modifications."</p><p>Revoy handles all infrastructure and charging, and its adaptable technology offers ease of use, saved time, low upfront costs, and ongoing fuel benefits. Revoy allows truckers to drive up to 235 miles on electric power using a 525kWh LFP battery pack.</p<p>Solving for sustainability in the trucking industry is complex, but simplicity is at the core of Revoy's innovation. Revoy's EV technology is adaptable and easy to apply to existing fleets, with the option to use as needed. The process is simple: trucks visit a Revoy swap station, where an attendant swaps the Revoy EV while the driver relaxes in the truck or shops inside.</p><p>Revoy's EV technology addresses the sustainability and competitive business needs of trucking fleets and companies committed to net zero goals through the following</p> Dramatic MPG Improvement: At 235 miles of range, Revoy can take a 6 - 8 mpg truck to 20 - 35+ mpg. At a shorter range, for example 150 miles, mpg can exceed 30 - 40 mpg. This is a transformational step change in fuel efficiency. Electric Range Extension on Electric Trucks: Revoy allows truckers to drive up to 235 miles on electric power using a 525kWh LFP battery pack, and can be "recharged" nearly instantly with a Revoy swap. Long charges or battery-destroying fast charges are no longer necessary. An 800kWh long-range version will be coming out in May 2024. No Time Wasted On The Road: Revoy electric vehicles instantly convert any diesel truck into a hybrid, easily attaching to the fifth wheel automatically. Truckers can swap at an available station for a fresh battery in less than five minutes, which is 90% faster than traditional EV charging. Fleets can share Revoy EVs based on subscription tier for immediate savings, without the risk. Zero Payload Impact: The Revoy EV has no impact on payload. Trucks encountering loads that are too heavy to accept the extra battery weight can revert to diesel in minutes by dropping the Revoy EV. Compliant with Length Laws: The Revoy EV requires no additional CDL endorsements and is compliant with all length restrictions on the national highway network. Safety Features Built Into Every Vehicle: Revoy offers intelligent auto-correction to prevent rollovers, flipping and jackknifing. The Revoy EV has an extra set of brakes to automatically engage more stopping power when driving down mountains, blind spot detection and automatic reversing with intelligent computing from a series of sensors with notifications through Revoy's mobile app. <p>Revoy was founded by Ian Rust, an innovator, founder and mechanical engineer with over 12 years of experience in clean transportation and sustainability, and is backed by YCombinator, Transition Global, and Liquid2 Ventures. The team includes over 100 years of experience from GM, Tesla, Embark Trucks, Waymo, and the European Space Agency, among others. Revoy's technology is made in the USA, FMVSS compliant, and compliant with all length and weight (bridge and GVW) regulations.</p>

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Logistics, Supply Chain

Delta Cargo launches e-commerce solution DeliverDirect in collaboration with SmartKargo

PR Newswire | January 31, 2024

Delta Cargo is excited to announce the launch of its newest product, DeliverDirect, developed in collaboration with SmartKargo. DeliverDirect is a door-to-door delivery service for the U.S. market, offering a competitive and customizable solution for e-commerce retailers seeking to optimize their direct-to-consumer shipping solutions. With DeliverDirect, Delta Cargo pioneers an innovative domestic carrier approach, providing swift service with transparent pricing for e-commerce and small parcel delivery. From initial warehouse pickup to delivery at the end consumer's doorstep, DeliverDirect is a fast, seamless, end-to-end service that upgrades traditional ground or air shipping services utilized by most current e-tailers. Small package shippers will benefit from increased shipping speeds, an uncomplicated pricing structure, proactive alert management, transparent tracking and reporting, and access to Delta's vast domestic network. "We are thrilled to introduce DeliverDirect, our new offer for the small parcel delivery market," shared Alison Ricker, Managing Director, Delta Cargo Global Sales. "Through our strategic collaboration with SmartKargo, DeliverDirect gives e-tailers an alternative transportation solution that fits their customers' requirements, and we envision that this service will prove to be a fast, reliable and cost-effective solution." The DeliverDirect offering can be tailored to shippers' needs with a variety of service innovations that empower customers to customize according to their unique preferences. These service innovations include: personalized pick-up times, geo-fenced notifications for consumers, multiple delivery attempts, signature-required deliveries, proof of delivery with photos, and access to advanced reporting features for a complete comprehensive service that aligns seamlessly with a variety of needs. "E-commerce shippers are looking for simple, faster and more reliable alternatives to deliver their products to consumers. Delta Cargo has a vision for small package delivery that will transform the U.S. market and continue to diversify their already robust offering in the air cargo market. Their innovative approach makes them a fantastic partner for SmartKargo, and we look forward to growing this service together," stated Milind Tavshikar, CEO and Founder of SmartKargo.

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