This invite-only self-driving commuter research trial will run across a 19km fixed route, in the London boroughs of Croydon and Bromley, throughout October and November 2019. It is expected that the insights gathered will contribute towards the development of safe, self-driving mobility services as an alternative to the urban commuter car.
FiveAI developed the reference software stack that powers all key aspects of the self-driving system using a data set from complex UK roads and cities. Additional partners include Direct Line Group and Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), a global centre for innovation in transport and mobility.
David Hynd, Chief Scientist at TRL said, “This is a significant milestone not only for the StreetWise consortium but for the entire CAV sector in the UK and beyond. Automated vehicles represent the future of transport and have the potential to deliver tangible, wide-reaching benefits in relation to reduced congestion, faster and cheaper commutes, fewer collisions and cleaner air. We’re very excited about entering this phase of the project to create credible and real-world insights on the willingness to use and attitudes towards a shared, automated service, which will go a long way to helping us understand how these services can meet the needs of end-users.”
Neil Ingram, Head of Motor Product at Direct Line Group added: “As technological advances continue at pace and self-driving cars become a reality, insurers need to understand how that changes risk; cars will increasingly be controlled by software rather than humans. Working closely with our StreetWise partners, including FiveAI and TRL, provides DLG with unique insight that will help to develop innovative insurance solutions for new tech enabled mobility services.”
