After winning Local Motors' Atlanta Olli Fleet Challenge, the City of Peachtree Corners has announced that Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners deployed Local Motors’ Olli autonomous shuttle on Tuesday, Oct. 1 in its smart city living laboratory, which is a 1.5-mile-long autonomous vehicle test track.
Attendees of the launch got the opportunity to take short rides in the driverless shuttle.
Mobility
Mobility
Baidu launches self-driving taxis in China
Baidu has debuted its Apollo Robotaxi in Changsha, Hunan province in China, with the first batch of 45 self-driving taxis having officially begun trial operations on urban roads.
Apollo Robotaxi deploys L4 Hongqi EV vehicles, which were developed in collaboration with FAW Group, a Chinese carmaker.
Ford, Argo AI to begin testing self-driving vehicles in Austin, Texas
Ford has announced that Austin, Texas is the third launch market for its self-driving vehicles, joining Miami-Dade County and Washington, D.C.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Austin has been the fastest growing metro region in America in each of the last eight years. Ford notes that the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization predicts that by 2040, vehicle use in the Austin region could double, while highway capacity will only grow 15 percent.
“Simply put, Austin has to look towards diverse and innovative ways to move people around,” Ford says.
Department of Transportation announces funding for automated driving projects
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao recently announced that eight projects in seven states will receive nearly $60 million in federal grant funding to test the safe integration of automated driving systems (ADS) onto U.S. roadways.
Aptiv, Hyundai forming autonomous driving joint venture
Aptiv and Hyundai Motor Group have announced that they are forming an autonomous driving joint venture, which will advance the design, development and commercialization of SAE Level 4 and 5 autonomous technologies.
The joint venture will start testing fully driverless systems next year, with a plan to have a production-ready autonomous driving platform available for robotaxi providers, fleet operators, and automotive manufacturers in 2022.
Voyage to use latest funding to expand its fleet of G2 self-driving cars in California and Florida
Self-driving car company Voyage has announced that it has completed a $31 million Series B fundraise, which brings the company’s total capital raised to $52 million.
Voyage will use this capital for a variety of purposes, including expanding its fleet of G2 self-driving cars in California and Florida, and to introduce its G3 self-driving car.
“At Voyage, our mission is to deliver on the promise of self-driving cars, and we are thrilled to be working with forward-thinking investors who deeply believe in that mission,” Voyage says.
“Together with these new resources, we will deliver an autonomous ride-hailing service to customers who truly need it!”
Ohio team receives grant to develop and deploy automated transportation technologies for state's rural roads and highways
The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded an Ohio-based team of industry, academia and community partners a $7.5 million grant known as the Automated Driving Systems Demonstration Grant, which will be used to develop and deploy “automated transportation solutions” for the state’s rural roads and highways.
“The award of this grant shows that Ohio continues to be at the center of this new transportation technology era,” says Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.
“Ohio is committed to being at the forefront of connected and autonomous vehicle technology development.”
Daimler Trucks, Torc Robotics testing automated trucks on highways in southwest Virginia
Daimler Trucks and Torc Robotics have announced that their automated trucks have begun operating on highways in southwest Virginia.
During these operations, an engineer oversees the system. A highly trained safety driver with a commercial driver’s license that has been specially trained in vehicle dynamics and automated systems, and has been certified by Daimler Trucks and Torc Robotics, is also a part of these operations.
Before hitting the road, the trucks underwent months of extensive testing and safety validation on a closed loop track. The companies note that as part of their comprehensive safety process, both test track and on-road validation “play an integral role in establishing the essential building blocks for successfully advancing automated technology.”
Designated Driver's teleoperation technology being added to Texas A&M's autonomous shuttles
Texas A&M University will add Designated Driver’s teleoperation technology to its autonomous shuttles.
A developer of teleoperation technologies for autonomous vehicles, Designated Driver says that this is the first time that a teleoperation system is being deployed commercially on public roads. The company says that its system will provide remote guidance and way points to the shuttles operating in downtown Bryan, Texas.
“We are enabling Texas A&M to get the safety driver out of the driver’s seat by deploying a reliable teleoperation solution,” says Manuela Papadopol, CEO, Designated Driver.
Pony.ai, Toyota collaborating on autonomous driving pilot
In an effort to “accelerate the development and deployment of autonomous vehicles,” autonomous driving technology company Pony.ai has announced plans to work with Toyota on an autonomous driving pilot, as the companies look into the various possibilities to provide safe mobility services for all.
“Autonomous driving technology is the key to creating a better transportation system and delivering value to the lives of many,” the companies say in a press release.
“Through such collaborations, Toyota and Pony.ai are accelerating the arrival of a safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable mobility future for all.”
