Next week, technology enthusiasts will gather in Vegas to enjoy the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show, where a host of companies will unveil their latest findings in a variety of fields. Car makers have become a more and more prominent part of this show in recent years as customers are asking for the latest tech to be infused into their cockpits. This year, Lyft and Delphi sub-division Adaptiv have decided to show one of their first working prototypes of an autonomous ride-hailing system, using a BMW 5 Series.
According to the two companies, this is a “first-of-its-kind fully automated point-to-point ride-hailing experience” and it goes by the name of Aptiv-Lyft Automated Experience. The system will be available for curious visitors, who can call for a ride from the Las Vegas Convention Center’s Gold Lot. A 5 Series will then show up and drive you around, while a ‘safety driver’ sits behind the wheel just in case. You’ll also be joined by an “in-car host” which will explain what is going on at every step of the way.
The rides will be offered towards about 20 locations across Las Vegas and there will be about eight BMW 5 Series models fitted with the new tech at your service, so that you don’t end up waiting for an hour to get picked-up. The cars also look almost unchanged from their standard versions, with all the tech needed for the autonomous system to work being hidden away from prying eyes.
Aptiv CEO Kevin Clark said “This partnership represents a real-life application of scalable, automated driving technology that will have a significant impact on improving safety, emissions and urban congestion challenges.” He added, “Aptiv’s automated driving platform is the most advanced automated system available and, combined with Lyft’s intuitive user app, [this] will allow CES attendees to have a true point-to-point self-driving experience. It is an exciting demonstration of the future of mobility at work.” According to the companies, the tech will be ready for market launch in 2019.
