The Little Roady autonomous vehicle pilot project in Providence, Rhode Island went into service on Wednesday, May 15.
Launched with the intent to evaluate autonomous mobility technology, the research project, which is offering free service to riders, will help the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) “better understand the opportunities and challenges that come with integrating this new technology into RIDOT's transportation planning,” the department says.
RIDOT adds that the research will help improve transit, and provide information for communities, the workforce, and policymakers.
“It's always exciting when Rhode Island has an opportunity to lead the way in cutting-edge green technology,” says Governor Gina Raimondo.
Mobility
Mobility
Drivent exits stealth mode, announces certification to test autonomous vehicles in Washington state
Self-driving technology company Drivent has exited stealth mode, announcing that it has been certified to test autonomous vehicles in the state of Washington.
The company has also unveiled what it calls “essential” technologies for autonomous vehicles.
“Years ago, we realized that encouraging widespread adoption of self-driving vehicles would require more than just making cars that don't crash,” explains Eric Wengreen, Drivent co-founder.
“While the autonomous industry focused on collision-avoidance technology, we focused on developing technology to overcome the non-collision barriers to adoption of autonomous vehicles.”
May Mobility equipping its autonomous shuttles with LeddarTech's lidar technology
In an effort to provide its autonomous shuttle deployments with enhanced safety, May Mobility will equip its autonomous shuttles with lidar technology from automotive and mobility lidar technology company LeddarTech.
May Mobility has conducted more than 50,000 real-condition test drives to validate the technology, before launching in full mass production.
Designed to create a “complete 360-degree cocoon,” LeddarTech’s solid-state Cocoon lidar technology provides a higher degree of safety related to collision prevention in autonomous shuttle applications, according to LeddarTech.
Aptiv establishes its China Autonomous Mobility Center
Aptiv has announced the establishment of its China Autonomous Mobility Center, which will focus on the development and application of Aptiv’s L4 autonomous driving technology.
With the opening of the China Autonomous Mobility Center, Aptiv is extending its autonomous driving operations to China, which will join Boston, Singapore, Pittsburgh and Las Vegas as one of Aptiv’s major autonomous driving engineering hubs.
“With high market acceptance to autonomous driving in China, we see a strong demand for autonomous driving technologies in the Chinese market.” says Karl Iagnemma, president of Aptiv Autonomous Mobility.
California DMV makes way for the testing of light-duty autonomous delivery vehicles
On Friday, April 12, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) released proposed regulations that “establish a path for companies to test or deploy light-duty autonomous motor trucks (delivery vehicles) on the state’s public roads.”
Under the proposed regulations, companies can test autonomous delivery vehicles that weigh less than 10,001 pounds with an approved permit from the DMV, as long as they don’t charge a delivery fee.
To make their autonomous technology commercially available, companies must apply for a deployment (public use) permit.
Utah launches Autonomous Shuttle Pilot Project
In partnership with the Utah Transit Authority (UTA), the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) launched its new Autonomous Shuttle Pilot Project on Thursday, April 11.
Over the next year, the shuttle will travel to different communities throughout Utah, providing the public with its first look at a completely autonomous vehicle (the shuttle will always have a host on board, though).
Capable of operating at up to 15 miles per hour, the shuttle follows a predetermined route during operations. It reacts in real-time to other vehicles, pedestrians and any obstacles in its path, thanks to being equipped with a full range of sensors.
Amazon acquires warehouse robotics startup Canvas Technology
According to TechCrunch, Amazon has acquired Canvas Technology, a warehouse robotics startup based in Boulder, Colorado.
“We are inspired by Canvas Technology’s innovations, and share a common vision for a future where people work alongside robotics to further improve safety and the workplace experience,” an Amazon spokesperson says in a statement, via TechCrunch.
“We look forward to working with Canvas Technology’s fantastic team to keep inventing for customers.”
Local Motors' Olli autonomous shuttle headed to Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall
As part of Local Motors’ series of fleet challenges, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington, Virginia has been selected as the next location to receive Local Motors’ Olli autonomous shuttle.
The fleet of shuttles is expected to arrive at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in the coming weeks after Local Motors maps the route the shuttle will use. Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall will get to use the shuttles for approximately three months.
Volkswagen testing automated vehicles in urban traffic in Hamburg, Germany
For the first time, Volkswagen is testing Level 4 autonomous driving in real driving conditions in a major German city.
Volkswagen Group Research is testing automated vehicles in urban traffic in Hamburg, Germany. Five of the company's e-Golf vehicles—each equipped with 11 laser scanners, seven radars and 14 cameras—will drive on a three-kilometer section of the digital test bed for automated and connected driving in the city.
The results of the test drives will be continuously evaluated, taking full account all data protection rules. The results will be incorporated in the Group’s other research projects on automated driving, and will test customer-centric services and optimize individual transport.