Aurora has become the first self-driving company operating in Pennsylvania to receive authorization to test autonomous vehicles in the state.
Aurora says that this authorization is the culmination of its efforts to “meaningfully engage, constructively respond, and be a good partner” with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
“We voluntarily complied with PennDOT’s request because we believe this will help the communities in and around Pittsburgh to be aware of Aurora, our testing, our commitment to safety, and our vision for a self-driving future,” the company says in a blog post.
Mobility
Mobility
Waymo's self-driving vehicles reach 10 million miles driven on public roads
On Oct. 10, Waymo announced that its self-driving vehicles surpassed 10 million miles driven on public roads.
Waymo’s vehicles have driven in 25 cities in states such as California, Arizona and Michigan, providing a variety of conditions to test the company’s technology in.
“When it comes to driving, experience is the best teacher, and that experience is even more valuable when it’s varied and challenging,” says Waymo’s CEO John Krafcik in a company blog post.
Autonomous bus named Erica being tested in Spain to help familiarize citizens with driverless technology
According to ZDNet, an autonomous bus called Èrica—which stands for electric, revolutionary, intelligent, shared (compartit in Catalan) and amicable—is being tested in Catalonia, Spain and the surrounding region to help familiarize citizens with driverless technology.
The testing is also designed to give local-government officials the opportunity to adjust to this new form of transportation, which they expect to be fully functioning by 2020.
Cruise and General Motors working with Honda on autonomous vehicle technology
In an effort to pursue the shared goal of “transforming mobility through the large-scale deployment of autonomous vehicle technology,” Cruise and General Motors Co. are partnering with Honda.
Honda will work collaboratively with Cruise and General Motors to fund and develop a “purpose-built autonomous vehicle” for Cruise that can be used for a variety of purposes, and be manufactured at high volume for global deployment.
The companies will also examine global opportunities for commercial deployment of the Cruise network.
May Mobility's autonomous shuttles expected to operate in three U.S. cities by March 2019
By March 2019, May Mobility’s low-speed autonomous shuttle service will be operating in at least three U.S. cities, according to TechCrunch.
Founded less than two years ago, May Mobility's low-speed autonomous shuttles are designed to run along a specific route in business districts or corporate and college campuses.
After launching its first autonomous shuttle service in Detroit, Michigan this summer, the Ann Arbor, Michigan-based company plans to expand to Columbus, Ohio, and it recently announced plans to add another route in Grand Rapids, Michigan through a one-year pilot set to begin next March.
New South Wales Driverless Shuttle welcomes first passengers
This week, the New South Wales (NSW) Driverless Shuttle at Sydney Olympic Park welcomed its first passengers, as a select group of competition winners from the 2018 Easter Show took a ride in the vehicle, and effectively opened stage two of the state’s first driverless shuttle trial.
“I’m very excited to see passengers on these vehicles,” says Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Minister Andrew Constance.
“We know self-driving cars will play a major role in the future and that’s the future we’re preparing for right now.”
Bryan, Texas to introduce self-driving trolleys to Downtown Bryan in October
In October, the city of Bryan, Texas, in partnership with the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES), will introduce two electric self-driving trolleys to Downtown Bryan.
According to the city of Bryan, this program differs from other programs because the Downtown Bryan location offers a “pedestrian rich environment for both foot and bicycle traffic offering numerous, real-life challenges to autonomous vehicle driving technology.”
The city of Bryan adds that the self-driving trolleys are the first of their kind to be utilized on public rights-of-way in the Brazos Valley, and to the city’s knowledge, just the second in the nation.
Local Motors' Olli self-driving shuttle to provide transport for ITS World Congress
During the ITS World Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark, Local Motors’ self-driving shuttle, Olli, will provide rides for attendees and dignitaries at the conference.
Known for its 3-D printed mobility technologies, Local Motors has delivered two new Olli shuttles to Autonomous Mobility, which provides autonomous technologies in the Nordic countries and the Baltic region.
Additionally, Local Motors announced that it has aligned with Autonomous Mobility exclusively, as a sales and operator partner for the Nordics and the Baltic, as the companies say that they “share the same mission and look forward to shaping how communities think and integrate about smart transportation.”
Udelv to supply supermarkets in Oklahoma City with autonomous delivery vehicles
Udelv, which develops autonomous delivery vehicles (ADVs), has signed a deal with Narnia Road and Esperanza Real Estate Investments to supply Oklahoma City’s (OKC) largest local chain of grocery stores with self-driving delivery vans.
According to udelv, the grocery chain is the first in the world to make such a large scale investment in ADVs.
“The partnership between udelv and Esperanza and the BFL Company of stores is a historic agreement and signals the start of ADVs making everyday life easier for Americans,” says udelv CEO, Daniel Laury.
Volvo Trucks' new transport system includes autonomous electric commercial vehicles
Volvo Trucks has introduced its new transport system, which is made up of autonomous electric commercial vehicles that can contribute to “more efficient, safer and cleaner transportation.”
According to Volvo Trucks, the long-term goal is to provide companies that need continuous transport services between fixed hubs a complement to what's offered today.
“The transport system we are developing can be an important complement to today's solutions and can help meet many of the challenges faced by society, transport companies and transport buyers,” says Claes Nilsson, President Volvo Trucks.
