Self-Driving Cars to Debut in Brooklyn Navy Yard

Brooklyn Navy Yard

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — A Boston-based autonomous vehicle company will unveil a new program designed to test its self-driving cars in Brooklyn’s Navy Yard. The startup company which dubbed itself “Optimus Pride” announced that it would begin shuttle service in the Navy Yard by the end of the summer if not the end of 2019 according to an article filed by the Gothamist. People remain skeptical about the safety of an autonomous vehicle, especially after an autonomous vehicle ran a woman down and killed her in 2018 in Arizona.

The efficacy of a program like the one proposed by Optimus Pride remains to be seen. New York City seems to be a difficult place to test an autonomous vehicle. Experts say that the amount of unforeseen and unanticipated hazards make New York City the ideal testing ground for autonomous vehicles. New York State Governor Cuomo acknowledged so much when the promise the New York City would be receptive to the evolving technology in 2017, even if no advancements were made. Governor Cuomo also touted the opportunity the technology provides to make streets safer and make vehicular transportation more efficient.

The time has come, it seems, to become accustomed to the notion that driverless cars will soon be among us. Even if we are hesitant to accept the idea, Optimus Pride’s proposed rollout might afford people the chance to grow accustomed to coexisting with driverless vehicles. The company said that its shuttle service would be confined to the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The company will launch four autonomous cars to start. They hope to add more. Each self-driving car will carry four or five passengers and run from the Navy Yard and eventually to public transportation in Flushing. The service will be free to the 8,500 workers in the Naval Yard. The company hopes to expand to shuttle ferry riders in the future as well.

Self-Driving Cars to Debut in Brooklyn Navy Yard