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.”
Pilot Projects
Pilot Projects
Karragarra Island on Redlands Coast selected as first location in Queensland to test driverless bus
Australia's Redland City Council and Queensland, Australia's peak motoring body RACQ have announced that Karragarra Island on Redlands Coast will be the first location in Queensland to test a driverless bus.
According to Mayor Karen Williams, the Council began looking into new technologies because better transportation options was a priority for residents.
“Redlands Coast has unique transport challenges that need innovative solutions, which is why we’re partnering with RACQ and Easy Mile on the Smart Mobility trial,” Williams says.
Local Motors' Olli autonomous shuttle now operating in Rancho Cordova, California
Local Motors has announced that its Olli autonomous shuttle recently began operating in the city of Rancho Cordova, California at the White Rock Corporate Campus, which is a large business park that is home to 1,600 employees.
Over the next three months, Olli will be available to campus employees and the general public under a pilot project being funded primarily by the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG). The city of Rancho Cordova is providing additional funding assistance.
Optimus Ride launching New York state's first self-driving vehicle program
New York state’s first self-driving vehicle program will officially launch on Wednesday, Aug. 7 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
The program will feature autonomous vehicles from Optimus Ride, as six of the company's autonomous vehicles will be used to transport passengers between the NYC Ferry stop at Dock 72 and the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Cumberland Gate at Flushing Avenue.
According to Optimus Ride, its vehicles will transport an expected 500 passengers per day and more than 16,000 passengers per month.
H-E-B, Udelv launching pilot program to test deliveries via autonomous vehicle
In partnership with Udelv, San Antonio-based supermarket company H-E-B has announced plans to launch a pilot program later this year to test a delivery service that uses an autonomous vehicle.
H-E-B will use an autonomous van from Udelv to serve customers near its Olmos Park H-E-B, which is just north of downtown San Antonio.
“At H-E-B, we continue to evaluate and utilize innovative technologies in all parts of our business,” says Paul Tepfenhart, senior vice president of Omnichannel and Emerging Technologies at Central Market and H-E-B.
Local Motors opens Olli Fleet Challenge to Pacific Northwest
Local Motors has announced that the Pacific Northwest will be the next location for its fleet challenge for the company’s autonomous shuttle, Olli.
According to Local Motors, entries will be accepted from across Washington state and Oregon.
The entry window for the Pacific Northwest opened on Monday, July 1, and will close August 26. Once a winner is chosen, engineers from Local Motors will map Olli’s autonomous route before the shuttles begin operating.
Local Motors' autonomous shuttles begin operating at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall near D.C.
On Wednesday, June 19, Local Motors deployed a fleet of its Olli autonomous shuttles at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, which is an Army and Marine Corps joint base adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C.
The deployment is the result of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall winning a regional fleet challenge, which asked entrants to propose use-case scenarios for the Olli autonomous shuttle.
Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, Hampton Roads Transit join Automated Bus Consortium
The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) and Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) have joined the Automated Bus Consortium (ABC), which is a national consortium of transit agencies examining the feasibility of deploying autonomous buses in select areas of the country, including Hampton Roads.
Local Motors brings global fleet challenge for autonomous shuttle to Atlanta
Local Motors has announced that Atlanta, Georgia will be the next site for its global fleet challenge for the company’s autonomous shuttle, Olli.
The entry window for the challenge opened on Tuesday, June 4, and entries will be accepted through July 31. Once a winner is chosen, engineers from Local Motors will map Olli’s autonomous route.
The state of Georgia has been open to the potential of autonomous vehicle technology. Peachtree Corners, an Atlanta suburb, is currently working on its autonomous vehicle test track, and just a few years ago, Georgia’s former governor signed a bill into law that allows self-driving vehicles to operate on public roads.
AutonomouStuff launches first phase of its Open Autonomy Pilot program
On Monday, June 3, AutonomouStuff, part of Hexagon's Positioning Intelligence division, launched the first phase of its Open Autonomy Pilot program.
AutonomouStuff will conduct testing on a defined route in downtown Peoria, Illinois, as it collects data and tests software on two automated research and development vehicles.
“The goal of the Open Autonomy Pilot is to enable, accelerate and deploy technology that drives the future of autonomy,” explains Bobby Hambrick, founder, CEO and president of AutonomouStuff, and chief autonomy officer of Hexagon PI.
