A Coventry technology specialist is giving delegates at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas the opportunity to try out its self-driving pods.
Aurrigo, which employs over 80 people at its state-of-the-art engineering centre in the Midlands and technical and sales offices in Australia, Canada and the US, has been working with US firms Comet Mobility and Via to equip three ‘Pod Zeros’ with the latest artificial intelligence technology from a leading multinational technology specialist.
The Comet Mobility Experience is being unveiled at CES this week with delegates encouraged to experience a six-to-eight-minute ride in an autonomous pod designed and built in the UK.
There are three points of interest – the UK, New York and Las Vegas – and the riders will be asked to choose which location they want to go to first, allowing Pod Zero to make a real-time voice-activated decision about where to go, leveraging on-demand ride-sharing technology developed by Via.
During the journey riders can ask questions about weather, destinations, the partners behind the project and discuss general knowledge or even ask the pod to tell it a joke, all using a specially crafted AI platform.
Sat with @nikkidunagan using #ibm #watsonassistant in the @aurrigotech #connectedcar #watsoniot pic.twitter.com/OIlNUxmMir
— Andrew Barnes (@itchypaws) January 8, 2019
“This is the first time our autonomous pods have been equipped with the latest AI technology, which has been designed to learn more with less data,” explained Miles Garner, sales and marketing director for Aurrigo, the autonomous vehicle division of RDM Group.
“The idea behind the project is to highlight how UK and US firms can collaborate to create a smart, automated and zero carbon ‘last mile mobility’ solution.
“Delegates will see how self-driving pods can provide a practical, safe and enjoyable experience that is truly immersive and educational.
“This technology is ideal for tourists, corporate users, shopping centres promoting the latest offers and even University campuses that are notoriously difficult to navigate.
“Teaming up with Comet Mobility and aligning with Via is a major milestone for our business and highlights how far we have come with our autonomous pods and software platforms.
“CES is the biggest innovation show in the world and a fantastic showcase for this partnership.”
Pod Zeros seat up to four people, can travel at 15mph and cover up to 60 miles on one charge.
UK International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox MP said: “The showcase of smart, automated vehicles at CES is the result of a groundbreaking transatlantic collaboration and I’m pleased my international economic department was able to help make it possible.
“Thanks to the work of trailblazing British companies like Aurrigo, the UK will remain at the forefront of the design and manufacture of zero-emission, connected and autonomous vehicles, ensuring we seize the opportunities presented by the transformation of mobility.”