Weymouth, US is preparing

Union Point, a 1500-acre mixed-use development slated for the Boston suburb of Weymouth, could be home to one of the largest deployments of AVs if an 18-month pilot of self-driving shuttles announced in November 2017 bears fruit.

The project, sited on a former airbase turned smart city development, has hitched its vision to the smart cities movement–its stated mission: “to enhance the human experience through the ideals of technology, sustainability, architectural beauty, education, creative arts, culture and inclusivity.” To that end, developer LStar Ventures brought in MIT spinout Optimus Ride, founded by a team of DARPA Urban Challenge competitors. The company has previously tested technology at Boston’s Seaport District and secured state and city testing permits in June 2017.

Optimus Ride’s shuttles could serve some 2,000 residents already living at Union Point with further plans to extend service to the nearby South Weymouth Rail Station.