FILE PHOTO: The unmanned delivery vehicle, Nuro, is seen during the Kroger annual shareholders meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S., June 28, 2018. Courtesy of Kroger/Handout via REUTERS
(Reuters) – California’s Department of Motor Vehicles on Tuesday authorized autonomous technology startup Nuro to test two driverless delivery vehicles in nine cities, a decision that comes as coronavirus concerns lock down many in the state.
U.S. companies that deliver groceries, household goods and take out food are scrambling to find drivers as well as ways to deliver with zero or minimal contact amid the virus outbreak.
Nuro, the second firm after Alphabet Inc’s (GOOGL.O) Waymo to receive the state’s permit, has been allowed to test its low-speed R2 vehicle, about half the width of a regular car, without drivers. It has been testing autonomous vehicles on California’s roads with safety drivers since 2017.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has expedited the public need for contactless delivery…
Source Reuters Tech News
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