Nuro, an autonomous vehicle (AV) startup, has received approval from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to test its third-generation R3 autonomous delivery vehicle in several Bay Area cities. This approval is a positive development for Nuro, as the company has faced setbacks and financial struggles in recent years.
The approved cities for testing include Mountain View, Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Menlo Park. Nuro’s vehicles, which are designed specifically for goods delivery and not passenger transportation, have a unique appearance resembling large sidewalk delivery robots. They are equipped with temperature-controlled storage units to safely transport food.
According to Nuro co-founder Dave Ferguson, the expanded geographic area for testing will make it one of the largest deployments of fully driverless vehicles in the United States, potentially second only to Waymo. This development highlights the progress Nuro has made in advancing its autonomous technology.
Nuro has also secured a 10-year commercial deal with Uber Eats, which it has been testing using third-party vehicles. The partnership with Uber Eats demonstrates Nuro’s commitment to exploring various avenues for the application of its autonomous delivery technology.
To refine its autonomous technology, Nuro made the strategic decision to pause its planned manufacturing push in partnership with Chinese electric car maker BYD. This move allowed the company to focus on improving its AI architecture and autonomous capabilities. Despite the manufacturing delay, Nuro managed to acquire a few dozen R3 vehicles from BYD, which will be deployed in the Bay Area and Houston in the coming months.
The R3 offers several improvements over its predecessor, the R2. It has a higher maximum speed of 45 miles per hour, enabling Nuro to conduct full Level 4 driverless testing and deployments in a wider region. Nuro’s advancements in AI technology, using large foundational AI models and a more traditional system, have contributed to the improved performance and efficiency of its vehicles.
While Nuro continues to work on perfecting its technology, the company is also considering other potential markets beyond autonomous delivery. However, no further details about these plans have been disclosed at this time.
Looking ahead, Nuro’s focus remains on ensuring the readiness and effectiveness of its autonomous technology. The company may need to seek a new manufacturing partner in the future due to potential tariffs on vehicles produced by BYD. Despite this potential challenge, Nuro is satisfied with its current partnership with BYD.
In conclusion, Nuro’s approval to test its R3 autonomous delivery vehicle in the Bay Area cities is a significant milestone for the company. It demonstrates Nuro’s commitment to advancing its autonomous technology and expands its testing capabilities. With a commercial partnership with Uber Eats and a focus on AI advancements, Nuro is positioning itself for future scalability and success in the autonomous delivery market.
