Drive.ai self-driving tests with passengers in Frisco, Texas

Drive.ai is using self-driving vans to carry passengers on a near two-mile route in Frisco, Texas. According to a report by CBS News, the company is the first to launch such a test since an Uber vehicle driving in autonomous mode killed a pedestrian in Arizona. These vans will operate over the next six months, with a safety driver on board, and will travel between an office park and a nearby dining area and entertainment complex. Conway Chen, vice president at Drive.ai, says the service has been desi
July 31, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
Drive.ai is using self-driving vans to carry passengers on a near two-mile route in Frisco, Texas. According to a report by %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external CBS News false https://www.cbsnews.com/news/self-driving-passenger-vans-hit-the-road-in-texas-city/ false false%>, the company is the first to launch such a test since an 8336 Uber vehicle driving in autonomous mode killed a pedestrian in %$Linker: 2 Internal <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 4 35413 0 link-external Arizona false /categories/utc/news/uber-ends-self-driving-programme-in-arizona/ false false%>.


These vans will operate over the next six months, with a safety driver on board, and will travel between an office park and a nearby dining area and entertainment complex.

Conway Chen, vice president at Drive.ai, says the service has been designed around the Uber incident.

"It is something that we have absolutely designed around, and we are taking every precaution that we can to make sure that type of incident doesn't happen,” Chen adds.

These vans come with radar on the grill, infrared Lidar sensors and ten cameras on the roof to provide a 360-degree view of the road. The vehicles also feature screens on their sides, front and rear to alert pedestrians and drivers of their movements.

Drive.ai intends to add more destinations over the next six months and phase out the safety driver.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Beat to bring ride-hailing service to Mexico City
    November 19, 2018
    Beat, a Daimler ride-hailing firm, is opening offices in Mexico City during the first quarter of 2019 and expects to recruit thousands of drivers. Beat says the move is part of a strategy to expand its presence in Latin America. The service and user app are currently available in Lima (Peru), Santiago (Chile), and Bogota (Colombia). Nikos Drandakis, founder and CEO of Beat, says the company initially deployed it service in Mexico City five years ago but did not have the resources at the time to succe
    Read More
  • Transport Canada to enforce seatbelts on highway buses
    July 17, 2018
    Seatbelts will become mandatory on all medium and large highway buses built from 1 September 2020 in Canada, following new safety rules established by Transport Canada. The government department develops transportation regulations, policies and services. Marc Garneau, minister of transport, says: “By having seatbelts on highway buses, we can help reduce injuries in severe collisions, such as rollovers, and improve safety for everyone.”
    Read More
  • Innovative cycle management system encourages cycle use
    February 28, 2014
    BMS Bicycle Management System is the new way of cycle parking designed to provide a solution to many city councils to get their city centres neat and clean and encourage bicycle use. The system incorporates a mobile app that enables a cyclist to easily find a free bike parking place at their destination on a smartphone.
    Read More
  • Engie to deliver 100 electric buses to Santiago, Chile
    October 17, 2018
    Engie will provide 100 electric buses and charging infrastructure for Santiago. The deployment is part of a wider ambition to establish a low-emission transportation system in Chile with 6,000 electric buses by 2040. Also, Engie has issued a proposal for a light rail system to link Santiago's airport to the city, implemented an electric taxi fleet and developed an intelligent network of charging stations for electric vehicles. Last year, Engie took part in a trial with Keolis, Navya, Here East and Our
    Read More

Highlighted Content