This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
From April 19 to 20, the UAS/Drones for Disaster Response conference will help key stakeholders that are responsible for responding to disasters better understand how UAS and other unmanned systems can enhance their efforts during missions. The conference will be held at the Biscayne Bay Campus of Florida International University. (PR Web)
Autonomous Vehicles
Autonomous Vehicles
Weekend Roundup
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
Elistair has announced the launch of its ORION UAS, which is the “next generation of persistent tethered drone systems,” according to the company. Elistair says that the UAS is designed for semi-persistent aerial surveillance and telecommunications needs, allowing it to handle the most difficult missions across a variety of sectors, including law enforcement, private and public safety, and national security, just to name a few. (Elistair)
EasyMile autonomous shuttle bus makes history in California
An EasyMile autonomous shuttle bus became the first vehicle to operate on California's roads without a driver behind the wheel on Tuesday, March 6. The vehicle operated on the roads of San Ramon, California.
With its historic journey, EasyMile’s autonomous shuttle bus became the first vehicle to take advantage of recently approved regulations governing the driverless testing and public use of autonomous vehicles on California roads.
Toyota establishing new company to accelerate its efforts in 'advanced development for automated driving'
In the latter part of March, Toyota will establish a new company in Tokyo called the “Toyota Research Institute-Advanced Development” (TRI-AD). The company is expected to accelerate Toyota's efforts in “advanced development for automated driving.”
TRI-AD will be led by Toyota Research Institute, Inc. (TRI) Chief Technology Officer Dr. James Kuffner, who will serve as the company’s CEO.
“Building production-quality software is a critical success factor for Toyota’s automated driving program,” Dr. Kuffner says.
Weekend Roundup
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
Milrem Robotics introduced its next generation THeMIS UGV during UMEX 2018 in Abu Dhabi. Equipped with autonomous capabilities, the UGV is “intended specifically” for desert terrain and hot climates. (Business Wire)
Self-driving shuttle developer May Mobility receives financial backing from BMW and Toyota
May Mobility, which claims to be the “first autonomous vehicle company to replace existing transportation systems with its fleets of self-driving micro-shuttles,” has announced that it raised $11.5 million in seed funding during a seed round in which BMW i Ventures and Toyota AI Ventures were the co-leaders for.
May Mobility, which plans to launch commercial operations this year, says that this funding will allow the company to launch new deployments across the country.
California paves way for testing of truly driverless cars in state
On Feb. 26, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced that the Office of Administrative Law approved regulations governing the driverless testing and public use of autonomous vehicles on California roads.
Before the approval of these regulations, autonomous vehicles could only be tested in California with an approved driver.
“This is a major step forward for autonomous technology in California,” says DMV Director Jean Shiomoto. “Safety is our top concern and we are ready to begin working with manufacturers that are prepared to test fully driverless vehicles in California.”
Nissan and DeNA to begin a field test of "robo-vehicle mobility service" in Japan in March
On March 5, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and DeNA Co., Ltd. will begin a field test of their “robo-vehicle mobility service,” Easy Ride, which is envisioned as a mobility service “for anyone who wants to travel freely to their destination of choice in a robo-vehicle.”
The field test will take place in the Minatomirai district of Yokohama, in Japan's Kanagawa Prefecture. During testing, participants will travel along a set route in vehicles equipped with autonomous driving technology. The route is about 4.5 kilometers between Nissan's global headquarters and the Yokohama World Porters shopping center.
University at Buffalo researching, and planning to test, recently acquired driverless bus
The University at Buffalo (UB) recently purchased a driverless Olli bus that it plans on testing once the bus is delivered to the university, which is expected to happen towards the end of April.
A product of Local Motors that has been tested in several countries throughout Europe, the Olli bus will be operated by researchers at UB on private or sanctioned-off roads on UB’s campus.
New York State law requires that the bus be operated on North Campus’ Service Road, which is not public. If UB researchers want to test the bus on public roads, they must apply to test through the DMV, pay $5,000,000 in liability fees and arrange for a police escort. New York has allowed UB to test its newly-purchased vehicle on campus roads.
EasyMile's EZ10 electric driverless shuttle bus to begin trial in Ipswich, England
EasyMile's EZ10 electric driverless shuttle bus will begin a trial in Ipswich, England starting on Monday, Feb. 26.
Ipswich City Council is trialing one of the driverless shuttles around its Orion water theme park lagoon near the Orion Shopping Centre on John Nugent Drive at Springfield. The trial is open to anyone who would like to ride the shuttle during the public demonstration times.
“The loop along John Nugent Way takes about five minutes, so it’s a great way to get a taste for what the future of public transport might be like,” says EasyMile spokesman Simon Pearce via the Brisbane Times.
