Why Retirement Communities Are Perfect for Self-Driving Cars

The operational environment is the single biggest factor in determining the development timeline of a self-driving car. The environment dictates every key technical challenge, most importantly in terms of speed and complexity. In 2015, Waymo was the first to demonstrate a fully driverless trip, offering Steve Mahan a ride in Austin, TX. They did so in a purpose-built vehicle, nicknamed Firefly. Classified as a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle, the Firefly was speed-limited to 25MPH and restricted to calmer roadway.