In the paper, Yin Zhou and Oncel Tuzel propose a software program called “VoxelNet” to help computers detect three-dimensional objects. That’s relevant to autonomous cars because pedestrians, cyclists, and other potential obstacles tend to be three-dimensional.

The software could potentially boost the effectiveness of sensors used in self-driving cars to identify obstacles. Most companies developing autonomous vehicles use a combination of cameras, radar, and lidar (which works like radar, but with light), to create a complete picture of the environment. Each type of sensor has its own weakness, which is why all three are needed.

But the software described in the Apple researchers’ paper has shown the ability to spot pedestrians and cyclists with lidar alone, at least in computer simulations.  The system hasn’t been tested on an actual car in the real world yet.

Apple recently received approved to test self-driving cars on public roads in California, and its Lexus RX development mules have been spotted a few times over the past few months. But the company’s specific goals remain unclear. CEO Tim Cook has called autonomous driving the “mother of all AI projects,” but has hinted that Apple will develop autonomous-driving systems only, rather than complete cars.

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Toyota will invest an undisclosed amount as part of Grab’s Series G funding round. Grab plans to raise $2.5 billion, and has already got $2 billion from SoftBank and Didi Chuxing, Uber’s onetime Chinese rival. But the deal with Toyota includes more than just a promise of cash.

Grab will also share data with Toyota on the driving patterns of 100 Toyota cars in its fleet. The data will be analyzed by Toyota and used to improve the automaker’s services, as well as Grab’s own app platform, Grab said. Toyota is getting more aggressive in tech investments, recently starting an investment to focus on autonomous driving, AI, and other important areas.

Toyota isn’t the first automaker build partnership with Grab. Honda also invested an undisclosed amount last year. At that time, Grab said the two companies were working closely on motorcycles.

As Uber is going to get a relief from a series of scandals under a new CEO, the company is losing market shares abroad. Last year, the American company sold its Chinese operations to its rival Didi Chuxing, and recently it also had to agree to merge its Russian operations with local firm Yandex. Could Grab force a similar withdrawal from Southeast Asia?

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