driveu.auto Powers Remote Piloting for Easymile & Coco Robots

Teleoperation Platform DriveU.auto Gains Traction with EasyMile and Coco

EasyMile, an autonomous shuttle provider, and Coco, a sidewalk robot delivery service, are now utilizing the teleoperation and connectivity platform developed by DriveU.auto. This integration was announced by DriveU.auto, an Israeli startup that emerged from stealth mode last year, during the CES event.

The Need for Remote Assistance in Autonomous Vehicles

Despite advancements, the widespread commercialization of fully self-driving technology remains some time away. Many companies’ naming conventions for advanced driver-assistance systems often exceed their actual capabilities. Currently, most nations mandate human oversight during autonomous vehicle operations to ensure safety.

To accelerate market entry and foster greater public trust in driverless technology, AV companies are increasingly adopting teleoperations. This involves a remote human operator who can take control of the vehicle in situations involving emergencies, anomalies, or safety concerns.

DriveU.auto's Solution for Reliable Connectivity

“Consider a scenario at an accident site where police officers are directing traffic,” explains Alon Podhurst, CEO of DriveU.auto. “The vehicle’s AI will likely require assistance in interpreting these gestures and verbal instructions.”

“The remote operator requires a real-time view of the vehicle’s surroundings – whether it’s a robot or an autonomous vehicle. Our focus is on streaming sensor data to the operator’s location with dependable, high-quality, and low-latency connectivity.”

This ensures that the remote operator’s decisions are based on an accurate understanding of the real-world conditions surrounding the vehicle, facilitated through cellular networks.

Addressing Connectivity Challenges

The effectiveness of teleoperations is heavily dependent on robust connectivity to transmit video, audio, and other sensor data. DriveU.auto’s platform is designed to maintain stable network connections and minimize latency, eliminating potential disruptions that could hinder a teleoperator’s ability to assist an autonomous vehicle.

“Achieving the necessary performance levels for reliable remote operation isn’t possible with a single cellular network, even 5G,” Podhurst emphasizes. “Transmitting multiple high-definition video feeds from a moving vehicle over a limited cellular network presents a significant challenge. Relying on a single network is insufficient.”

Current Deployments and Partnerships

DriveU.auto’s technology is currently operational on a fleet of EasyMile’s EZ10 autonomous shuttles serving a medical facility in France. Full integration across the entire EasyMile fleet is underway.

“As we expand the deployment of autonomous vehicles across various applications, remote supervision will be a crucial element of our solutions,” states Benoit Perrin, Managing Director of EasyMile.

The connectivity solution is also integrated into Coco’s fleet of approximately 100 Coco 0 pilot vehicles. Plans are in place to incorporate the platform into a new shipment of 1,000 Coco 1 robots, with hardware provided by Segway, for deployment in Los Angeles and two other U.S. cities in the first quarter of 2022.

Expanding Reach and Future Plans

Beyond EasyMile and Coco, DriveU.auto is actively working with robotaxis, autonomous trucks, delivery robots, and other specialized AVs, though details of these partnerships remain confidential. The company anticipates publicly announcing these collaborations in the coming weeks.

Recently, DriveU.auto announced an 18-month partnership with Denso, a prominent Japanese automotive parts manufacturer.

Software-Focused Integration

DriveU.auto typically provides customers with a software development kit (SDK) for integration into the vehicle’s computer systems. Customers maintain control over their vehicles, including teleoperation, utilizing the vehicle’s existing sensor suite and hardware.

Podhurst highlights that this software-only approach is a key factor in the company’s success, enabling faster and more streamlined integrations.