NuTonomy, an autonomous vehicle software startup that’s been testing its technology in Singapore, announced that it had signed an agreement with officials in Boston to bring its self-driving cars to that city’s streets, The verge said.
NuTonomy said it will begin testing its self-driving Renault Zoe electric vehicles in an industrial park in South Boston later this year. That means that while the cars will be operating in a public area, they’ll still be somewhat removed from normal vehicle and pedestrian traffic. This echoes nuTonomy’s tests in Singapore, where its self-driving cars operate in a 1.5-square-mile section called North 1 that’s been designated by the city-state’s Land Transport Authority as the testbed for self-driving cars.
In a statement, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh praised the agreement as one that will enable his city to join the ranks of those playing host to what many consider to be the future of transportation. “Boston is ready to lead the charge on self-driving vehicles, and I am committed to ensuring autonomous vehicles will benefit Boston’s residents,” Walsh said. “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.”
