NSW Government to allocate $10 million to expansion of autonomous vehicle trials in Budget

The NSW Government is set to allocate $10 million funding over the next four years to the expansion of autonomous vehicle trials.

To be announced in tomorrow’s state budget, the fund will be administered by Transport for NSW’s Smart Innovation Centre, which will be tasked with identifying relevant projects and partnerships.

NSW Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said autonomous vehicle technology is here and NSW must make sure it’s ready to embrace it.

“A decade ago things like Uber and smart watches seemed like something out of the Jetsons. Driverless cars might feel a bit like that today but the reality is they are already being built and tested around the world,” he said.

“Having a dedicated fund for trials will mean that government, universities, the private sector and startups can partner together to test and gain insights into how these technologies will shape our future cities and regions. Driverless vehicles are going to change the playing field and open up so many new opportunities to provide personalised transport services.”

The government last September passed legislation to allow for the trialling of autonomous vehicles and promptly launched its first trial, partnering with HMI Technologies, the NRMA, Telstra, and IAG for a two year trial of a driverless shuttle bus at Sydney Olympic Park.

The first stage of the trial involved testing in an enclosed off-road environment next to Sydney Olympic Park before progressing to a trial at a closed section of the precinct. The third stage of the trial, to kick off next quarter, will see the shuttle operating live at the Sydney Olympic Park precinct, testing infrastructure and how customers interact with the shuttle. Read more

Startup Daily - 18 June 2018