On Monday, autonomous vehicle technology company Faction announced it was launching tests of a self-driving light electric vehicle service.
The company said its proprietary technology, including its DriveLink autonomy system and TeleAssist for remote human assistance, has helped it deploy an initial fleet of self-driving, light EVs that will revolutionize last mile delivery operations. The company will begin testing in Houston with curbside delivery options.
Officials with the company said the self-driving vehicles are optimal for urban environments, and DriveLink Autonomy technology will enable autonomous capabilities in compact and agile vehicles. Using TeleAssist, the EVs will have access to real-time remote human assistance when needed. The vehicles will be fulfilling curbside deliveries for real customers in Houston, the company said, allowing the company to gather data and feedback for future operations.
Faction said it has partnered with Verizon to provide mobile connectivity supporting its tracking and monitoring services for vehicles, which will provide seamless communication and data transmission. Faction vehicle will also use Verizon’s Hyper Precise Location Service, which enhances satellite-based location accuracy from meters to centimeters.
“We are excited to collaborate with Faction to provide reliable cellular connectivity and location services for their self-driving vehicles,” TJ Fox, senior VP of Industrial IoT and Automotive, Verizon Business, said. “This partnership demonstrates Verizon’s commitment to enabling innovative solutions that drive the future of mobility.”
In addition to delivering goods, the self-driving EVs will be collecting routing and map data for the Houston metro area to optimize navigation algorithms and enhance autonomous vehicle operation efficiency.
“We are thrilled to bring our self-driving technology to the vibrant city of Houston and demonstrate the potential of autonomous vehicles to revolutionize urban transportation and delivery operations,” Ain McKendrick, Faction CEO said. “With Faction’s supervised autonomous solutions and strategic partnerships, we are poised to drive positive change and create a more sustainable, efficient, and accessible future for all.”