Self-driving start-up company Voyage have found the perfect place to test their latest model – the Villages Golf and Country Club in California.
The retirement village’s 4,000 residents – average age 76 – are currently trialling two modified Ford Fusion cars – nicknamed Homer and Marge after the characters from ‘The Simpsons’ – equipped with self-driving software and additional sensors.
Users simply call for one of the cars using a smartphone app for free door-to-door service.
Voyage says the retirement community’s 25km of roads, roundabouts, golf carts, pedestrians and pets and other obstacles – and a 40km speed limit – make it the ideal environment for the cars to learn to drive around.
It’s also a good match for the residents. Last year the Villages surveyed residents about what amenities they wanted to see over the next 15 years – top of the list was autonomous cars and a shuttle service.
A previous shuttle service plan had been vetoed due to cost, while the current car service has a shortage of volunteer drivers and a two-day booking requirement.
Voyage now plans to expand the service to other retirement villages. We think it’s a welcome idea. Being unable to drive often stops older residents from doing activities and socialising with friends.
As we reported here, aged care provider IRT is already piloting driverless technology at two of its aged care facilities.
Where will we see it next?
