RR.AI, a developer of self-driving technology and US bus maker GILLIG are to collaborate on developing next generations driver assistance systems and self-driving technology specifically for commuter buses in the United States.
This partnership will “combine RR.AI’s vehicle automation experience and GILLIG’s transit operations expertise to produce state- of-the-art safety and performance capabilities”.
The aim is to develop Level 4 autonomous vehicle technology for buses, which would allow a vehicle to drive itself under certain circumstances, such as in a depot, but most of the time a human driver would be needed.
They said the technology could protect drivers through safety features, including automatic emergency braking, precision docking, blind spot detection and pedestrian avoidance. While these advance driver assistance systems are commonly used in passenger cars, they are not widely available on heavy-duty vehicles.
“We believe the partnership with GILLIG will improve the safety and wellbeing of drivers, pedestrians, and roadway users all while increasing efficiency for transit authorities and lowering costs,” said RR.AI Chief Executive Alberto Lacaze.
GILLIG says it will implement these technologies across all its bus models, but will deploy them first in its latest electric bus model.
RR.AI’s parent Robotic Research said in December that it had raised $228 million from investors to scale up its self-driving solutions for trucks, buses and logistics vehicles. GILLIG’s owner Henry Crown & Company participated in that funding round.
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