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Motional mobility study shows ‘consumer trust in autonomous vehicles is growing’

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Autonomous mobility developer Motional has released new findings from its third annual Consumer Mobility Study, which looks at shifting consumer perceptions toward autonomous vehicles (AVs), as well as preferred AV use cases across generational and gender demographics.

The study found that only one-third (33 percent) of Americans feel uncomfortable with the level of safety, security, and accuracy of AV technology – a shift from 2021 when consumers reported safety (67 percent) as the number one concern related to driverless technology.

Leading the charge in the increasing acceptance of AVs are younger consumers, with a majority of Gen Z survey respondents (67 percent) believing that AVs are safer than human drivers. [Read more…] about Motional mobility study shows ‘consumer trust in autonomous vehicles is growing’

Lyft plans ‘fully autonomous future’ as it starts driverless car rides to customers in Austin, Texas

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Riders in Austin, Texas can now select an autonomous vehicle in the Lyft app to help them get around their city.

This marks the first time that a commercial autonomous service is available in Austin, Texas and marks the third city where Lyft riders can hail an autonomous ride along with Miami, Florida and Las Vegas, Nevada.

Most people’s first autonomous vehicle experience will be on a ride hailing network like Lyft. For riders in Austin, this new ride mode looks just like any other Lyft ride. Riders can hail an autonomous vehicle (a Ford self-driving car powered by Argo AI technology) directly in the Lyft app for the same price as a normal Lyft ride. [Read more…] about Lyft plans ‘fully autonomous future’ as it starts driverless car rides to customers in Austin, Texas

Lyft and Motional unveil driverless robotaxi in Vegas

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Lyft and Motional have partnered to launch Motional’s new all-electric IONIQ 5-based robotaxi, an autonomous vehicle designed for fully driverless ride-hail operation, on the Lyft network in Las Vegas.

The launch is the next milestone in the lead-up to Motional and Lyft’s fully driverless service, planning to begin in 2023 and scaling to multiple US cities.

This marks the first time members of the public will experience Motional’s all-electric IONIQ 5 AV, which is the first all-electric autonomous vehicle to debut on the Lyft network. [Read more…] about Lyft and Motional unveil driverless robotaxi in Vegas

Vanderlande selects Kollmorgen to supply robots to further automate warehouses

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Warehouse automation giant Vanderlande has selected Kollmorgen NDC Solutions as a technology and service partner for their automated guided vehicle (AGV) applications.

Based on Toyota Material Handling forklifts equipped with the Kollmorgen NDC Solutions technology, Vanderlande aims to strengthen and grow their portfolio of complete logistic and warehouse solutions.

Vanderlande is a market-leading, global partner for future-proof logistic process automation in the warehousing, airports and parcel sectors. [Read more…] about Vanderlande selects Kollmorgen to supply robots to further automate warehouses

AECOM to partner with MnDOT and the City of White Bear Lake on automated shuttle pilot

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AECOM, an infrastructure consulting firm, is partnering with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and White Bear Lake on the launch of an automated shuttle pilot within the city.

The shuttle, which has been named “Bear Tracks”, will run for one year on a 1.5-mile route and be free to use, connecting area residents to several community facilities and businesses.

The project will incorporate key elements of MnDOT’s Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) Strategic Plan, including enhanced mobility for persons with disabilities, better travel options for elderly communities, and more public awareness of automated vehicle technologies. [Read more…] about AECOM to partner with MnDOT and the City of White Bear Lake on automated shuttle pilot

Autonomous vehicle development will be stalled by technological and regulatory barriers, says report

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Autonomous vehicles are currently more hype than substance, given the significant technological, financial, and regulatory barriers to their widespread use, according to GlobalData.

In its latest report, Tech, Media, & Telecom Predictions 2022, the data and analytics company predicts that focus will shift onto “lower-level” autonomous vehicles that require greater human supervision, while mergers and acquisition activity will continue to be driven by transport technology such as robotaxis.

Amrit Dhami, thematic analyst at GlobalData, offers her view on these predictions. She says technological barriers will shift focus onto lower-level autonomous vehicles. [Read more…] about Autonomous vehicle development will be stalled by technological and regulatory barriers, says report

Pony.ai unveils new autonomous computing unit built on Nvidia Drive Orin

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Pony.ai, an autonomous driving technology company, has developed a “complete autonomous computing unit” built on the Nvidia Drive Orin system-on-chip (SoC).

The company says this marks a “significant milestone” in its move from industrial-grade to automotive-grade hardware.

This autonomous computing unit powered by Nvidia Drive Orin will rapidly accelerate the roll-out of Pony.ai’s Level 4 capabilities. [Read more…] about Pony.ai unveils new autonomous computing unit built on Nvidia Drive Orin

Perrone Robotics selects Ouster as ‘preferred lidar supplier’ for autonomous vehicles

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Perrone Robotics has selected Ouster as its preferred lidar supplier to scale the company’s autonomous vehicle implementations.

Under the agreement, Ouster is to deliver hundreds of OS digital lidar sensors for Perrone’s autonomous vehicle kit.

Ouster is a specialist provider of high-resolution digital lidar sensors describes the partnership as a “strategic customer agreement” with Perrone Robotics. [Read more…] about Perrone Robotics selects Ouster as ‘preferred lidar supplier’ for autonomous vehicles

Perrone Robotics confirms commitment to develop autonomous vehicle test facility at ACM

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Perrone Robotics, a provider of fully automated vehicle technology and solutions, has “solidified its commitment” to develop an advanced automated vehicle test facility at the American Center for Mobility (ACM) in Ypsilanti, Michigan by signing a new lease.

ACM’s smart mobility test center will enable Perrone’s team to work on high-speed, long-term, and continuous testing of a wide range of transit vans, shuttles, cargo vehicles, and trucks integrated with Perrone’s patented autonomous vehicle TONY Retrofit solution.

Perrone’s signed commitment with ACM comes just a few short months after the company received a $10 million investment from CapStone Holdings. The funding will support Perrone as it continues to advance its leadership role in the mobility industry. [Read more…] about Perrone Robotics confirms commitment to develop autonomous vehicle test facility at ACM

Perrone Robotics completes series of public road tests of its autonomous vehicles

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Perrone Robotics, a provider of autonomous vehicle technology, says it has successfully completed a series of public road demonstrations in the city of Westminster, Maryland, as part of an event hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Gigabit Innovation Collaboratory (MAGIC) Autonomous Corridor Project.

Following the success achieved in Maryland a week before, the company conducted back-to-back public road tests for customers with a GreenPower AV Star zero-emission transit shuttle, and a Low Speed Vehicle neighborhood electric vehicle, both integrated with Perrone Autonomy.

These vehicles are slated for customer deployment later this summer for use in municipal and university transit applications. [Read more…] about Perrone Robotics completes series of public road tests of its autonomous vehicles