Samsung and Volkswagen Use Driverless Vehicles in Russian Factories

Samsung and Volkswagen factories in Russia are now using robotic driverless electric vehicles by a Russian start up, RoboCV. RoboCV makes artificial intelligence systems for warehouse vehicles, open pit mining trucks and vehicles for use in areas with restricted traffic.  

RoboCV recently secured a three million series A funding in new investments from I2BF Global Ventures, VTB Capital Investment Management, LETA Capital, Columbus Nova and Almaz Capital. I2BF is a global clean tech venture capital firm based in New York. 

The driverless vehicles at both the Samsung and Volkswagen factories are using RoboCV’s X-Motion intellectual autopilot system. X-Motion is an artificial intelligence system for warehouse vehicles which enables them to move around the warehouses autonomously in driverless mode. The vehicles are fully integrated into the intra-logistics processes in the factories. 

The company says it expects the driverless vehicles will streamline 80% of the production process in these factories.

The X-Motion uses vision sensors to see the environment around it.  The system then builds a mathematical model around the data and calculates and makes decisions on the preferred route with obstacle avoidance maneuvers. X-Motion is plugged directly into the guidance system of the vehicle.

RoboCV is part of the Space and Telecommunications Technologies Cluster at Skolkovo Innovation Center in Moscow. RoboCV started their project as participants in the Google GOOGL +1.6% X Prize. They had originally developed a vision system for the Mar’s lunar rover but migrated their idea to a more commercial application of the product according to Alexey Belyakov, Vice-President, Executive Director, Space and Telecommunications Cluster.