UK-based AV startup FiveAI has announced it has teamed up with insurance company Direct Line to begin commuter research trials in London for its self-driving car technology.
The trials will take place as part of the Streetwise Consortium, which aims to develop and demonstrate the technology, safety validation methods, insurance and service models for delivering autonomous personal mobility solutions targeted at replacing the urban commuter car. The consortium also includes the involvement of TRL.
As part of the trial, a 19km self-driving research route featuring human passengers will be set up in Croydon and Bromley to test the technology. The trial will take place over the next two months and feedback will be gathered from participants.
FiveAI has raised approximately US$35m in funding to date. The company provides software for safe and cost-effective urban mobility in public transport and solutions for complex urban environments.
In a statement, Stan Boland, co-founder and CEO of FiveAI, said, “Shared, self-driving vehicle services promise a better way for people to get around, we’ll be working with forward-thinking partners to make these services a reality in European urban environments. The lessons learned through Streetwise provide an important step toward that goal.”