Self-driving Vehicles Hits Las Vegas Streets

In Las Vegas, self-driving vehicles have become the newest tourist attraction. Auto club AAA Northern California, Utah & Nevada is operating a fully self-driving shuttle along with Keolis and Navya. Its sponsors say this the first self-driving vehicle in the United States to offer rides to the public in live traffic, and the first to tie into city infrastructure such as traffic signals.

The motive is to introduce people to futuristic technology and how they view it. On this, city spokesman Jace Radke said, “Las Vegas prides itself on being first, getting out there and trying out new things.” These shuttles receive wireless whether the signal is yellow, red, or green. Both Navya and Keolis have launched their driver-less shuttles in Paris, London, and France, Lyon.

John Moreno, AAA spokesman said, “People were initially skeptical of this new technology to rapidly take them up flights of floors, so they had an attendant to ease concerns. But all the attendant did was flip a button and close the gate.” He also added, “We chose Las Vegas because it’s the largest tourist destination in the U.S. And we hope these vehicles will attract a cross-section of folks from all walks of life, all ages and all hometowns.

Keolis has operated a driver-less vehicle in Las Vegas previously this year but within a limited course. Chris Barker, Keolis spokesman said, “We’re bringing the autonomous experience to a public transit setting and giving multiple riders the opportunity to experience it. People find it intriguing.”

These shuttles are programmed in a way, when detect a person, animal or another vehicle, stop on a dime. But this also makes it vulnerable to mischief-makers. Moreno said, “It’s an issue; it’s a common thing that kids want to prank it, and skateboarders dart in front. We’re working with the city of Las Vegas to address it. We’re in the brand-new territory; there’s no current ordinance right now for that type of thing.”
In other words, “don’t tease the robot shuttle” could become a new law!

2016 S-Class Mercedes: