Cavnue (CAVs) and Robotic Research (RRAI) have entered a strategic partnership to jointly collaborate on advancing the future of highly automated transit across the United States. RRAI, which has pioneered transit autonomy and safety, will serve as an advisor as Cavnue works to develop infrastructure technology that will enable bus fleet operators with safer and more efficient operations.
“By working alongside RRAI, Cavnue will be better equipped to design roadway technology that meets the complex nature of automated bus transit,” said Tyler Duvall, co-founder and CEO of Cavnue. “Their expertise in automating vehicles will allow us to focus on how digital infrastructure will enhance the safety, reliability and efficiency of bus operations and ultimately lead to a better experience for transit agency customers.”
Cavnue plans to leverage RRAI’s expertise in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), as well as end-to-end autonomous driving solutions with its own infrastructure technology stack to demonstrate the advantages of a fully connected mobility solution—from vehicle to road.
“Tech-enabled infrastructure adds another layer to the safety chain, which can aid commercial ADAS and autonomy systems,” said Alberto Lacaze, CEO of RRAI. “We look forward to working with and advising Cavnue on how smart roadways can inform vehicles about the environment that will lead to more robust safety capabilities.”
In 2022, Cavnue reached an agreement with the state of Michigan—as well as closed on a $130 million Series A raise to accelerate a robust project pipeline nationally—on the next phase of its connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) corridor in southeast Michigan. The project, which the company had previously been named as Developer, envisions connecting Detroit and Ann Arbor with a focus on closing long-standing gaps in access to transit and transportation.
As part of this scope of work in Michigan, Cavnue is developing infrastructure that will enable enhanced transit operations. Together, the companies will work to explore ways in which connected roadways can communicate and enhance ADAS-enabled buses. The partnership is also dedicated to engaging in commercial opportunities throughout the U.S., including municipal transit fleet deployments.
RRAI has delivered autonomous mobility and robotics solutions to the defense sector for two decades and recently raised a $228 million Series A funding round. RRAI’s vehicle-agnostic, full-stack autonomy kit, is already integrated into a variety of commercial and defense vehicles.
