Computing and AI for Robotic Mobility 2024

• Three-page summary
• Executive summary
• Context
• Forecasts
  • End-systems forecast
    • Robotaxi
    • Robot shuttle
    • Robot truck
  • Computing forecast
• Application trends
  • Robotaxi
  • Robot shuttle
  • Robot truck
• Ecosystem and supply chain
  • Noteworthy news of the last three years
  • Robotic vehicle activities in the main areas
  • Ecosystem analysis
  • Focus on robotaxi
  • Focus on robot Shuttle
  • Focus on robot truck
  • M&A and Fundraising analysis
  • Processor ecosystem
    • Noteworthy news of the last three years
    • Robotic Mobility processor overview
    • Processors’ supply chain analysis
  • Technology trends
    • Processor
      • Processor grade evolution
      • Leading solution analysis
    • Sensors and Software
      • Sensors for robotic vehicles
      • Transformers for robotic vehicles?
    • Conclusion

$1B market is expected for robotic vehicle processors in 2034

The global market for robotic vehicles is led by the United States and China, with Europe following closely. Robotaxi services are thriving in China and the U.S., with Baidu-Apollo leading with services in twelve cities. In Europe, the market is still in its early stages due to regulatory challenges and the complexity of European roads. On one hand, robot shuttles represent a niche within the industry, with the potential for growth expected around 2027/2028. They could provide a solution for public transport if operating costs are reduced and profitability increases. Robot trucks, on the other hand, hold enormous potential for economic disruption and value creation due to the high volume of goods transported. Punctuality, safety, and productivity are crucial in this market, as any accident can be extremely dangerous.Combined, robotaxi, robot shuttle, and robot truck production is projected to grow from around 8,000 units in 2023 to 140,000 in 2029 and about 1 million in 2034, representing a volume CAGR23-34 of 56%. The processor market is set to expand significantly, reaching $1 billion in revenue by 2034, driven by the growing number of robotic vehicles.

United States and China lead in robotaxis, while Europe follows with robot shuttles

The global landscape for robotic vehicles is divided into three main regions: the United States, China, and Europe. The U.S. is actively testing autonomous vehicles, with robotaxi services available in a few cities, and robot trucks connecting the East Coast to the West Coast are advancing rapidly. China has emerged as a leader in autonomous technology, with Baidu-Apollo taking the lead in robotaxi and shuttle services, followed by other dynamic companies such as WeRide and Pony.ai. Europe is also active, mainly with robot shuttle companies and tests. The Middle East, particularly the UAE and KSA, is actively engaging in robotic mobility projects through partnerships with European, Chinese, and American companies. Robotic vehicle companies in the autonomous vehicle industry are initially concentrating on their core segments to control costs and increase scalability. In the past nine years, almost $42.5 billion has been invested in robotaxis, robot shuttles, and robot trucks globally, with robotaxi companies leading in investments.

The growing robotaxi market will be shared between automotive and custom-designed processors

Robotic vehicle processors, crucial for achieving autonomy, require high computing power for real-time decision-making. Server/PC-grade processors were initially used due to their ample computing capabilities. However, as the automotive processor market evolved, the processors designed for ADAS/AD functions have become more suitable for robotic vehicles, and they are both cheaper and more energy-efficient.Nvidia was an early market entrant, introducing high-performance processors with the Parker architecture in 2016, and its processors are now prevalent in many robotic vehicles. But the competition is intensifying as ADAS/AD processors are being developed, and companies such as Mobileye, Qualcomm, and Huawei are gaining traction. Several startups, including China-based Horizon Robotic and Black Sesame, offer potential solutions for Chinese companies seeking secure domestic supply chains.On the architecture side, several solutions are being developed. As an alternative to a fully centralized architecture based on a single processor, Mobileye has developed a scalable processor family that reduces development costs and offers a unified solution that can be adapted to their customers’ needs. At the same time, a growing trend among robotic industry leaders is the in-house development of custom processors to meet specific needs.

Adastec, Alphabet, Algolux,  Alibaba Group, AI Motive, Amazon, Ambarella, AMD, Apollo, Apple, Aptiv, Arbe, Argo, ARM, Audi, Aurora, Aurrigo, AutoChips, AutoX, Auvetech, Baidu, BlackSesame Technologies, Blaize, Bosch, BMW Group, Cariad, Cambricon, Continental, Cruise, Ctag, Daimler, Denso, Deepway, Deeproute.ai, Didi, DJI, EasyMile, Einride, Embark, FusionProcessing, Ford, Foxconn, Fujitsu, Gama, Gatik, Geely, General Motors, Ghost, Google, Hailo, Haylion, HiSilicon, Holon, Honda, Horizon Robotics, Huawei, Hyundai, Inceptio Technology, Infineon, Intel, Javelin, Kargobot, Kodiak Robotic, Leapmotor, LeddarTech, Local Motors, Locomation, Lyft, Magna, Magry, May Mobility, Mercedes-Benz, Microsoft, Minus Zero, Mobileye, Mogo, Moia, Momenta, Moovit, Motional, Navya, Nio, Nuance, Nvidia, Optimus Ride, Pegasus, Plus, Pony.AI, Qcraft, Qualcomm, Renesas, Samsung, Schaeffler, SemiDrive, Sensible, Siengine, Sony, Stellantis, STMicroelectronics, Tesla, Texas Instruments, Transdev, Toshiba, Torc Robotics, Toyota, TSMC, TuSimple, Uber, Uisee, Untether AI, Valeo, Voyage, Veoneer, Volkswagen, Volvo, Waabi, Waymo, WeRide, Woven Planet, Xiaomi, Yandex, Yutong, Zenseact, ZF Friedrichshafen, Zoox, 2getthere, and more.

Product objectives

1.Give an overview of the development of Robotic Vehicles, including Robotaxis, Robot Shuttles, and Robot Trucks.

• What is the deployment status of each of these vehicles? What are we expecting for the next ten years? Forecasts are given for the period 2019-2034 in terms of fleet and production for the three vehicle types.
• What are the main drivers? What is the level of maturity of the technology?
• What are the economics of each of these vehicle types?
• What is the regulatory status in the main regions?

2.Deliver an in-depth analysis of the ecosystem and players for robotic vehicles

• What is the main news for the last three years? Where are robotic vehicles operating now?
• Who are the players? Who is the leader? What are the market shares? What are the relationships inside this ecosystem? Who will win the battle for primacy in the autonomous market?
• What are the various strategies and business models developed by the different companies?
• What are the key regional trends in the most dynamic geographic areas: the US, China, and Europe?

3.Give an overview of computing and other technologies for robotaxis:

• What processors are used? What strategies are followed?
• What are the technology trends?
• What technologies are used, and what developments are ongoing?
• Processor volume, ASP, and revenue forecasts for the period 2019-2034
• Global overview of the trends for sensors and software

4.Deliver an in-depth understanding of the ecosystem and players for processors

• Will robotaxi companies develop their own processors?
• Who are the processor companies? What are their relationships with robotic vehicle companies?
• Which are the key suppliers to watch, and what technologies do they provide?

Key Features 

• 2019-2034 forecast for Robotic vehicles, including robotaxi, robot shuttle and robot truck (Unit)
• 2019-2034 forecast processors for robotic vehicles (Unit, $, wafers)
• Market trends of the robotic mobility
• Description of existing initiatives and plans for the coming years.
• Mapping of the main robotic mobility companies
• Geographical analysis
• Fundraising analysis
• Mapping of the main companies involved in the processor for robotic mobility market.
• Ecosystem and supply chain analysis
• Processor technology trend analysis