Mexican Media Brands
Aptiv at the Airport in Vegas
Maybe the cab line will be a little shorter. . .
#electronics
.jpg;width=70;height=70;mode=crop)
Share
Those arriving this week at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas for CES encountered cab lines that were longer than those typically generated by those who are seeking fortune, if not fame (or a seat at the table at the WPT).
They also may have noticed something else:
BMWs with the Aptiv logo prominently painted on the body sides and hood.
Aptiv autonomous vehicle at McCarran International in Las Vegas. (Image: Aptiv)
Aptiv achieved first-ever access to pick up and deliver predetermined people at the airport. The developer of autonomous driving tech has already been testing its self-driving vehicles on the streets of Las Vegas. There are over 3,400 destinations that are programmed into the vehicles’ system, everything from casinos to the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Odds Are Good
In case you’re wondering, this is not—to use an obvious cheap pun—a gamble for the passengers, as there is a safety driver in the car.
According to Karl Iagnemma, president of Aptiv Autonomous Mobility, “Data has shown that a significant portion of ride-hailing demand comes from passengers traveling to and from airports.”
Which is sort of like saying the odds are in the house’s favor.
Still, one of the biggest applications for Level 4 autonomy—and Aptiv plans to have a production-ready autonomous driving system available by 2022—is the robotaxi fleet, so it is beginning to get some deep knowledge of those requirements.
Next Up: Sonata?
One more thing: Aptiv and Hyundai Motor Group announced the formation of a joint venture last September, and when it closes, the jv will take control of the Aptiv operations in Las Vegas.
Here’s guessing the 5 Series gives way to the Sonata.
RELATED CONTENT
-
What the VW ID. BUGGY Indicates
Volkswagen will be presenting a concept, the ID. BUGGY, a contemporary take on a dune buggy, based on the MEB electric platform that the company will be using for a wide array of production vehicles, at the International Geneva Motor Show.
-
2019 Volvo XC40 T5 AWD Momentum and R-Design
Back in 2004, Volvo introduced a concept vehicle, called “Your Concept Vehicle,” in which case the pronoun essentially referred to women because as the company pointed out, the YCC was “the first car designed and developed almost exclusively by women.” Some would say that Volvo was ahead of its time—way ahead—with this idea.
-
On the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro: The Sixth Generation
The fifth-generation Camaro brought the nameplate back from what could have been oblivion. The sixth is taking it in the right direction.
