MIT Startup NuTonomy Will Test Its Self-Driving Car in Boston

nuTonomy in Boston (nuTonomy)

MIT startup nuTonomy considers itself as a leading developer of state-of-the-art software for self-driving cars. Honestly, the MIT startup accomplished a lot and brought it on stage. Three months ago, they launched the first-ever public trial within Singapore’s one-north business district. The intention now is to go abroad.

MIT startup nuTonomy will test a self-driving Renault Zoe in the Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park

Some days ago, nuTonomy has been authorized to test its driverless cars on selected public roads in the US city Boston, Massachusetts. The first test will take place in December 2016 with an electrically driven Renault Zoe in the Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park in the Seaport section of the capital and most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In order to ensure a secure ride, high-performance sensing and computing equipment controls nuTonomy.

CEO and co-founder of nuTonomy, Karl Iagnemma, said, “Boston and Massachusetts are leaders in rethinking the future of transportation, and we are grateful for their partnership and support of nuTonomy’s efforts to develop a fleet of self-driving cars to serve the public. These tests in the City of Boston will enable our engineers to adapt our autonomous vehicle software to the weather and traffic challenges of this unique driving environment. Testing our self-driving cars so near to nuTonomy’s home is the next step towards our ultimate goal: deployment of a safe, efficient, fully autonomous mobility-on-demand transportation service.”

The public launch of a commercial robo-taxi service with a widespread availability is planned for 2018 in the world’s only island city-state Singapore. Co-founder and chief technology officer Emilio Frazzoli estimates that 300,000 driverless taxis could do the work of the 780,000 privately owned cars in Singapore. Emilio Frazzoli aims to deploy thousands of driverless taxis in a few years within Singapore.

MIT startup nuTonomy will test intends to enlarge the test area in Boston in the near term

In Boston, the team intends to gain further knowledge. The MIT team investigates how the electrically driven nuTonomy deals with local signage and road markings. They evaluate measurement data and improve the system with the goal of improving the interactions with pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles in the flowing urban transport. It is also planned to enlarge the test area for nuTonomy in Boston in the near term.

Mayor Walsh, 54th and current Mayor of Boston, said, “Boston is ready to lead the charge on self-driving vehicles, and I am committed to ensuring autonomous vehicles will benefit Boston’s residents. This is an exciting step forward, and together with our public and private partners, we will continue to lead the way in creating a safe, reliable and equitable mobility plan for Boston’s residents.”

In so far as it is necessary to ensure a safe ride, a nuTonomy engineer observes the system performance and assumes control if needed. Furthermore, the city of Boston monitors the effects of autonomous vehicles, and will further identify how autonomous vehicles will further the safety, access, and sustainability goals of Boston’s transportation plan, Go Boston 2030. Eventually, the capital of Massachusetts plans to deploy self-driving cars.

Human failures are the reason for around 94 percent of crashes according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

“As companies look to begin testing autonomous vehicles, MassDOT will work through the AV Working Group created by Massachusetts Executive Order No. 572 to manage a rigorous approval process and respective safety protocols,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “Criteria and credentials needed for testing will be thoroughly evaluated, such as a private company’s demonstrated experience, licensing, inspection and registration status in order to ensure the safety of the public.”

In excess of 35,000 people died resulting from a road traffic accident in the U.S. in 2015. Human failures are the reason for around 94 percent of crashes according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It is expected to reduce fatalities and injuries with self-driving cars like nuTonomy enormously. Additionally, passengers have more freedom to do others things during the ride instead of steering the car. The electric motor of nuTonomy can reduce the carbon footprint of transportation in the urban realms. Charging stations with renewable power would make the entire transport 100 percent eco-friendly without harming the climate.