Nuro, an autonomous delivery startup based in California, has received approval from the California Department of Motor Vehicles to test its latest R3 autonomous delivery vehicle in four Bay Area cities. This approval comes as a positive development for Nuro after facing setbacks and financial struggles in the past.
The R3 vehicle, designed for delivering goods rather than passengers, will be tested in Mountain View, Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Menlo Park. These vehicles do not have seats, windows, steering wheels, or pedals and resemble large sidewalk delivery robots with temperature-controlled storage units for food transportation.
According to Nuro co-founder Dave Ferguson, this expanded testing area in the Bay Area will make it one of the largest deployments of fully autonomous vehicles in the United States, following Waymo. Nuro also has a 10-year commercial deal with Uber Eats, which has been tested using third-party vehicles.
Nuro had previously paused manufacturing plans to focus on perfecting their autonomous technology and AI architecture. Despite this, the company has accelerated progress in autonomy and is testing the R3’s new hardware and software stack on a fleet of retrofitted Toyota Priuses. The company is also preparing to roll out the R3 fleet in the Bay Area and Houston in the coming months.
The R3 vehicle offers improved capabilities compared to its predecessor, the R2, including the ability to drive up to 45 miles per hour. This enhancement allows for full Level 4 driverless testing and deployments in a wider operational design domain, except on freeways. Nuro’s advancements in AI technology have contributed to these improvements, with the company utilizing large foundational AI models to perform multiple tasks efficiently.
While Nuro is focusing on perfecting its technology and maximizing its partnership with Uber Eats, the company is also exploring potential opportunities beyond autonomous delivery. As Nuro continues to innovate and expand its capabilities, it may need to consider new manufacturing partnerships due to potential tariffs on products made by its current partner, BYD.
Overall, Nuro’s approval for testing its R3 vehicle marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey towards autonomous delivery and showcases its commitment to advancing AI technology in the industry. The future looks promising for Nuro as it continues to refine its autonomous capabilities and explore new avenues for growth and innovation.
