According to recent foreign media reports, a French startup named Navya is aiming to challenge the self-driving car initiatives of major players like General Motors and Alphabet. Since July this year, driverless buses developed by Navya have become a notable feature in the Paris business district, drawing attention from both locals and industry observers.
[Image: A photo of one of Navya's autonomous buses in Paris]
Navya has ambitious plans to introduce a robot taxi that could potentially outperform its competitors. Currently, the company is developing a smaller vehicle designed for six passengers, with an estimated starting price of 250,000 euros (around $290,000). The model is expected to launch within the next year. Navya unveiled its Robotaxi prototype in Paris on November 7, 2017, marking a significant step forward in their autonomous vehicle journey.
Beyond just manufacturing, Navya is also focusing on developing in-house software solutions, aiming to create fully autonomous vehicles ahead of the competition. CEO Christophe Sapet emphasized in an interview that Navya is the first company to design and build a fully autonomous car from scratch, rather than retrofitting existing models. "We want to be the first to offer a fully automated driving solution," he stated.
Meanwhile, GM has been expanding its presence in the mobility space through Maven, its car-sharing service, while its Cruise Automation division continues to test self-driving cars. Similarly, Waymo, Alphabet’s self-driving division, has partnered with FCA to integrate its technology into vehicles. These developments show how competitive the market is becoming.
The automotive industry is not only highly competitive but also costly. For instance, Dyson has committed to investing £2 billion (about $2.7 billion) in electric vehicle development by 2020, even without focusing on driverless technology. The company has 400 engineers working on the project, highlighting the scale of investment required. In contrast, Navya has a much smaller team, yet it remains focused on its vision.
Sapet mentioned that the Robotaxi can reach a top speed of 80 mph (50 km/h) and will begin testing on Paris streets in the coming weeks. The vehicle is set to be available in the third quarter of 2018. Early adopters include Keolis, a French transport operator, and the Royal Automobile Club of Australia, who have already ordered 30 units. Other potential clients include major companies such as Uber, Hertz, Avis Budget Group, Apple, Renault, and Volkswagen.
However, Navya faces challenges, as many of these potential customers are also pursuing their own self-driving initiatives. Additionally, the path to commercializing autonomous vehicles is complex, as seen with Tesla and other companies. In October, Navya’s competitor NuTonomy was acquired by Delphi for $450 million, signaling the high stakes involved.
Despite these challenges, Navya’s small buses are making progress. The company has invested in a Michigan factory and plans to launch 450 smaller buses by the end of next year. However, when seeking investor support, Navya has faced some criticism. Last year, the company raised 30 million euros, and it is prepared to raise more funds to continue building its new vehicle. With its unique approach and growing interest from key players, Navya is positioning itself as a serious contender in the future of autonomous transportation.
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