Autonomous & Self-Driving Vehicle News: Ohimo, AEVAC, May Mobility, Faction and Quanser

In autonomous and self-driving vehicle news are Ohimo, AEVAC, May Mobility, Faction and Quanser.

AV Shuttles at JFK

Two Ohmio LIFT autonomous shuttles will operating at PANYNJ/JFK New York Airport. The vehicles operating at a maximum speed of 23 mph (approximately 37 kph), seat 8 passengers and be free to riders. The vehicles will have signage showing they are autonomous and have safety operator on board.

“We foresee a situation where vehicles can safely convey passengers all over the airport footprint, and our hope here is that instead of having just one driver stuck in one vehicle, we can have one driver supervising more than one vehicle and really paying attention to the folks actually getting on and getting off,” said Seth Wainer, program director for innovation at the Port Authority,.

Autonomous Survey from AEVAC

The Association of Autonomous and Connected Vehicles (AEVAC) is dedicated to promoting the development and adoption of intelligent, sustainable, and inclusive mobility solutions based on autonomous and connected vehicle technologies.  They are reaching out to individuals with an interest in the automotive sector to help identify key concerns regarding Autonomous Vehicles, particularly with cybersecurity. The goal is to develop standards and regulations that will ensure safer, more customer-centric autonomous transportation technology.

To achieve this, AEVAC created a short survey to gather insights from the public. There is no need for prior personal experience with autonomous technology; we are simply seeking your opinions and perspectives.

Via AEVAC, the survey is being conducted by selfy-project.eu, an initiative focused on improving the safety and resilience of connected, cooperative, and automated mobility (CCAM) solutions against cyber-attacks, malfunctions, misuse, or system failures.

Survey participants will contribute to the development of robust cybersecurity measures that will protect and enhance the future of autonomous vehicles.

Llink to survey

May Mobility Serves SouthWest Twin Cities

May Mobility, a leader in the development and deployment of autonomous driving (AD) technology, and SouthWest Transit, an award-winning transit agency serving the SouthWest Twin Cities,  announced they are partnering to provide autonomous microtransit service in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. May Mobility’s autonomous vehicles (AVs) are scheduled to be integrated into SouthWest Transit’s transportation ecosystem in the fall of this year, providing the public with an additional on-demand option for reliable transportation.

Looking to enhance its existing microtransit service, SouthWest Prime, with an innovative transportation solution, SouthWest Transit has signed a 3-year contract with May Mobility. May Mobility’s AVs will connect the public to residential, employment and shopping districts while also providing essential first- and last-mile transportation to key mobility hubs in Eden Prairie. Riders will be able to conveniently travel to and from pre-determined stops by using their current Prime mobile app, powered by Spare, the leader in on-demand transit software. The service will also include a stop at the Southwest Light Rail, which connects downtown Minneapolis, downtown Saint Paul and places in between.

Over the last three years, Spare has powered SouthWest Transit’s microtransit service. Now, by leveraging the technology and expertise of both Spare and May Mobility, SouthWest Transit will be able to deliver an enhanced and highly reliable transportation experience to their current riders in Eden Prairie and expand those services to those who currently don’t have access.

“We’re excited to be the first to bring this innovative transit solution to the Twin Cities. By expanding on our wildly popular Southwest Prime microtransit service, we will stay on the cutting edge and ensure that we can provide a premium transit service for years to come,” said Erik Hansen, CEO of SouthWest Transit.

May Mobility will deploy five wheelchair-accessible AVs that feature an ADA-compliant wheelchair ramp and securement system. By using a fully wheelchair-accessible fleet, the service will give both wheelchair users and other riders greater access to safe, convenient and comfortable transportation.

“Our autonomous driving technology has proven its ability to scale well across diverse circumstances and even navigate under the state’s harsh winter climates,” said Manik Dhar, chief commercial officer for May Mobility. “Our experience in deploying safe and equitable autonomous rides will enhance the city’s public transportation system and connect even more people to essential destinations both near and far.”

“SouthWest Transit’s embrace of autonomous vehicles truly sets a standard in transportation innovation,” said Kristoffer Vik Hansen, co-founder and CEO at Spare. “We’re excited to collaborate with May Mobility and SouthWest Transit, offering Minnesota residents a novel and, ultimately, more efficient way to travel. This partnership is extending the freedom of mobility to more people, especially those without access to a personal vehicle.”

SouthWest Transit and May Mobility plan to engage with the community in the upcoming months to educate future riders about autonomous vehicles and how the service will work. The public will be able to see one of the vehicles up close at SouthWest Station during SouthWest Transit’s public shuttle service to the Minnesota State Fair at the end of August.

Faction Begins Testing in Houston

Faction, a pioneer in autonomous vehicle technology, announces the commencement of self-driving light electric vehicle (EV) testing in Houston, Texas. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the advancement of autonomous mobility solutions, particularly in the realm of last-mile delivery operations.

Utilizing proprietary cutting-edge technology, including its innovative DriveLink® autonomy system and TeleAssist® for remote human assistance, the company is deploying an initial fleet of self-driving light electric vehicles. These vehicles are set to revolutionize curbside delivery operations in Houston and pave the way for a safer, more efficient future of urban transportation.

Key highlights of Faction’s self-driving light EV testing initiative include:

1. Modular Vehicles with DriveLink Autonomy Technology: Faction’s DriveLink autonomy system is at the forefront of self-driving technology, enabling seamless integration of autonomous capabilities into compact and agile vehicles. These self-driving light electric vehicles are perfectly suited for urban environments, offering enhanced efficiency and safety in curbside delivery operations.
2. TeleAssist for Remote Human Assistance: Faction’s TeleAssist feature ensures a smooth transition to autonomous operations by providing real-time remote human assistance when needed. This innovative support system allows Faction to efficiently scale its autonomous fleets, ensuring seamless operations and maximizing the potential of self-driving technology.
3. Real-world Testing with Customer Deliveries: Faction’s self-driving vehicles will be fulfilling curbside deliveries for real customers in the Houston metropolitan area in its early operations phase. This hands-on testing approach allows Faction to gather valuable insights and feedback, further demonstrating the potential of autonomous vehicles to revolutionize the last-mile delivery industry.
4. Verizon Partnership for Vehicle Connectivity and Hyper-Precise Location services: Faction has partnered with Verizon (NYSE: VZ), a leading provider of technology and communications services, to provide mobile connectivity supporting Faction’s tracking and monitoring services for its vehicles. This partnership enables seamless communication and data transmission, enhancing the overall efficiency and reliability of Faction’s autonomous delivery operations. Faction vehicles are also using Verizon’s Hyper Precise Location service, which enhances satellite-based location accuracy from meters to centimeters. TJ Fox, Senior Vice President of Industrial IoT and Automotive, Verizon Business, stated, “We are excited to collaborate with Faction to provide reliable cellular connectivity and location services for their self-driving vehicles. This partnership demonstrates Verizon’s commitment to enabling innovative solutions that drive the future of mobility.”
5. Data Collection for Routing and Mapping: In addition to delivering goods to customers, Faction’s self-driving EVs will be collecting crucial routing and map data for the Houston metro area. This data will be instrumental in optimizing navigation algorithms and enhancing the overall efficiency of autonomous vehicle operations.

Commenting on the launch of self-driving light EV services in Houston, Ain McKendrick, CEO of Faction, expressed enthusiasm for the future of autonomous mobility: “We are thrilled to bring our self-driving technology to the vibrant city of Houston and demonstrate the potential of autonomous vehicles to revolutionize urban transportation and delivery operations. With Faction’s supervised autonomous solutions and strategic partnerships, we are poised to drive positive change and create a more sustainable, efficient, and accessible future for all.”

Quanser Hosted Self-Driving Car Student Competition at the 2024 American Control Conference (ACC)

-In its quest to foster innovation in autonomous vehicle technology, Quanser hoste the Self-Driving Car Student Competition at the 2024 American Control Conference (ACC) at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto. The competition has attracted some of the greatest minds and next generation researchers from world-leading universities that have self-driving car programs underway.

The competition kicked off earlier this year with 39 global teams from 28 universities participating in a virtual design and submission stage. This was followed by algorithm validation using physical vehicles provided by Quanser, with the top 11 teams selected to compete on-site at the ACC in Toronto today.

The competition aims to enhance the practical understanding and application of control systems, sensor fusion, and real-time decision-making, each of which is critical in the development of faster and more precise driving performance in autonomous vehicles. The competition will also evaluate the progress of self-driving car programs underway at universities around the world and encourage others to engage in this field.

With over 35 years dedicated to academia, Quanser has become the world leader in the design and development of cutting-edge solutions that transform engineering education and accelerate research in control systems, robotics, and applied artificial intelligence (AI). The company has over 2500 labs in universities around the world.

Winning teams will receive a free QCar and a one-year subscription to QLabs Virtual QCar, valued at $30,000. The winning team will also receive a $2,000 Amazon gift card and the Golden QCar Trophy.

About the American Controls Conference

The American Controls Conference (ACC) has been the premier international conference for Control systems research for over 50 years. It is the annual conference of the American Automatic Control Council (AACC), the U.S. national member organization of the International Federation for Automatic Control (IFAC). The event features a comprehensive technical program with regular and invited sessions, tutorial and special sessions, workshops, and exhibits. Topics include AI and automation, showcasing the latest innovations and research. The conference aims to foster inclusivity and diversity, providing a platform for scholars and professionals to share their work and ideas.