Locomation, a leading provider of safe and reliable autonomous trucking technology, today announced, what is claimed to be, the world’s first autonomous truck purchase order from Wilson Logistics, an industry-leading transportation logistics company based in the US. Under the terms of the deal, a minimum of 1,120 Wilson Logistics tractors are to be equipped with Locomation’s Autonomous Relay Convoy (ARC) technology, with the first units delivered in early 2022. Additionally, the deal amends the commercial agreement between the two companies to extend through 2028.

The agreement follows a successful pilot program with Wilson Logistics this summer that included two Locomation trucks hauling Wilson Logistics trailers and freight deployed as an Autonomous Relay Convoy (ARC) on a 420 mile-long (6675 km) route from Portland to Nampa. ARC allows one driver to pilot a lead truck equipped with technology augmentation while a follower truck operates in tandem through Locomation’s fully autonomous system. Each ARC segment is engineered for maximum yield and utilisation by Locomation’s business operations team.

Tom Kroswek, head of business development at Locomation said, “Working with the Wilson Logistics team, we defined road segments to maximise asset utilisation by capitalising on freight density in each lane which enables shippers and carriers to substantially increase their use of available capacity. We then used our proprietary analysis methods to identify opportunities to optimise pricing to maximise yield per mile. Of the 68 original high-value ARC segments we identified, Wilson’s choice to now fill 37 of those lanes is a ringing endorsement of our capabilities.”

Darrel Wilson, Founder and CEO of Wilson Logistics said, “We understand the importance of autonomous vehicle technology to the future of Wilson Logistics, and choosing our AV partner has been a deliberate process. In Locomation, we see the most viable path to safe, rapid, and broad commercialization and we’re proud to make this purchase commitment.”

Dr. Çetin Meriçli, CEO and Co-Founder of Locomation said, “This purchase order is just the beginning of a significant leap toward autonomous technology for the entire trucking sector. Wilson Logistics has been an excellent partner and their multi-year commitment to Locomation demonstrates the strong industry validation of our autonomous technology in freight transportation.”
 

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German automotive major the BMW Group and its consortium partners have concluded the Car2Car research project, demonstrating that high-quality material recovery from end-of-life vehicles is technically feasible for industrial automotive applications.

Under expanded processing and sorting conditions, the consortium increased the percentage of recoverable materials from 6 percent to 51 percent across five focus material groups.

The project evaluated recovery paths for steel, aluminium, copper, plastics and glass. Under optimised processing routes, the recovery rate for steel rose from 1 percent to 81 percent, aluminium increased from 23 percent to 52 percent and copper grew from 48 percent to 68 percent. The improvements were achieved through pre-sorting, modified shredding processes, classification, sensor-based sorting and alloy separation.

Alexander Efthimiou, Senior Vice President Business Development, BMW Group, said, “The circular economy is an integral part of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy. Car2Car shows that its full potential can be realised when the entire value chain is optimised. Together with our partners, we are using the project findings to develop new process and business models that combine environmental and economic benefits, and advance the transition towards a circular automotive industry.”

To address copper contamination that prevents scrap steel from being reused in automotive flat steel, the project introduced a targeted sorting process for which a patent application has been filed. Steel coils produced through this method were tested at BMW Group Plant Leipzig, where over 100,000 series parts were manufactured and installed in vehicles.

Hilke Schaer, Car2Car project manager, BMW Group, said, “With Car2Car, we wanted to understand under which conditions materials from end-of-life vehicles can be reused in new cars. The project has shown the potential in current material streams from end-of-life vehicles that have not yet been optimised for high-quality material loops. The most significant progress was seen with steel: We were able to demonstrate that high-quality flat steel for automotive applications can be produced from end-of-life vehicle scrap. In the field test at BMW Group Plant Leipzig, more than 100,000 series parts were produced using this steel and installed in vehicles – making the project’s results tangible.”

While metal recycling yielded positive results, the consortium noted that technological challenges remain for plastics and glass due to material varieties and complex composite structures. Large-scale implementation across the industry will require process chains, additional infrastructure investments and regulatory frameworks aligned with the European ELV Regulation.

The consortium comprised BMW AG, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, the Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, Technical University of Munich, Scholz Recycling, STEINERT UniSort, thyssenkrupp Steel Europe, Salzgitter Mannesmann Forschung, Aurubis, Novelis Germany, OETINGER Aluminium and Pilkington Automotive Germany.

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Cars24 has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, to support India's startup ecosystem through initiatives focused on artificial intelligence, mobility, and road safety.

As per the agreement, Cars24 will establish structured programmes for early-stage founders, granting access to its infrastructure, mentor network, funding sources, market connections and technical resources. In turn, the DPIIT will facilitate national outreach and ecosystem integration via the Startup India platform, supporting knowledge exchange, co-branding and policy engagement.

The partnership encompasses five specific areas of operation: mentorship for early-stage founders via the Cars24 Founders' Fellowship, training through Mobility and Autotech Skilling Programmes, technical support and AI integration via Cars24 Labs, investor connections through Fuel by Cars24 and the organisation of an annual Innovation Challenge and Road Safety Hackathon alongside the DPIIT.

Vikram Chopra, Builder, Cars24, said, “Cars24 is proof that Indian founders can start with a difficult, everyday problem and build something on a national scale. We want to pass that possibility on. Through this partnership with DPIIT, we are backing the next generation of builders with more than advice. We want to give them access, capital, talent and a real platform to test ideas that can make India move smarter and safer.”

A senior DPIIT official commented, “Industry participation is central to strengthening India’s startup ecosystem. Collaborations of this kind, where an established market leader opens up its scale, mentorship and resources to early-stage founders, are exactly the bridge between ambition and execution that young startups need. We welcome Cars24’s commitment to mentoring, skilling and supporting product startups across the country.”

The non-binding MoU establishes a framework for ongoing collaboration between both entities to foster technology adoption and entrepreneurship within the Indian mobility sector.

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NXP Semiconductors has announced that the BMW Group will deploy its Trimension NCJ29D6 Ultra-Wideband (UWB) family across its vehicle fleet, beginning with selected 2026 production programmes.

The hardware component integrates fine-ranging capabilities with short-range radar functionality on a single chip. This allows vehicle manufacturers to utilise a single system for multiple applications, including hands-free vehicle entry and occupant presence detection.

The integration supports BMW’s Digital Key Plus feature, which enables vehicle owners to substitute key fobs with smartphones or smartwatches. The system manages locking and unlocking functions as the user approaches or moves away from the vehicle. Additionally, the technology includes in-cabin radar monitoring designed to identify motion patterns consistent with occupants or animals left inside a parked vehicle, sending notification alerts to users to align with European and Chinese NCAP assessment protocols.

Markus Staeblein, Senior Vice-President and General Manager, Secure Car Access at NXP Semiconductors, said, “NXP’s proven Trimension UWB platform maximises value for OEMs, using a single system to deliver multiple new and differentiating features for drivers. Digital key and presence detection are just the beginning. OEMs will be able to deliver additional UWB-based features, such as kick sensing, intrusion alert or automatic charging, as they establish the secure hardware platform in their vehicles.”

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Envalior India, an engineering materials company formed through the merger of DSM Engineering Materials and LANXESS High Performance Materials, will inaugurate the Envalior Centre of Excellence in Electric Vehicle Technology on 5 August 2026 as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) program.

The CoE located at Marathwada Mitra Mandal's Polytechnic in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune, will be implemented by the BroadArks Foundation to provide vocational training in electric vehicle systems.

It plans to train 250 individuals annually through two courses: a Level 4 Certificate in EV Service, Safety & Maintenance and a Level 5 Advanced Certificate in EV Diagnostics & Systems.

The curricula align with the National Skills Qualifications Framework and carry certification support from the Confederation of Indian Industry. The programs target students from Industrial Training Institutes and polytechnics studying mechanical, electrical, electronics, mechatronics and computer science disciplines.

Training instruction covers classroom coursework and laboratory modules focused on vehicle architecture, battery management systems, charging infrastructure, thermal management, power electronics, diagnostics and workshop safety protocols. Practical assessments and industry projects form part of the curriculum structure.

Nileshkumar Kukalyekar, Business Director – South Asia, Middle East & Africa, Envalior, said, "The launch of the Envalior Centre of Excellence reflects our commitment to supporting India's transition towards electric mobility by investing in the people who will power it. Through this Centre, we aim to provide students with industry-aligned, hands-on training that prepares them for the evolving demands of the EV sector while contributing to a stronger and future-ready workforce."

In addition to student instruction, the facility is designed to support laboratory infrastructure and instructor development programs for technical education in the region.

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