Arizona teams with Intel to create research institute for self-driving cars

In an announcement today, Arizona officials revealed the creation of the Institute for Automated Mobility (IAM). This consortium is composed of private companies, university researchers, and public officials, according to the state, the goal being a collaboration on state of the art research within Arizona. Intel is listed as a founding partner.

The new research institute will focus on self-driving vehicle technologies, the goal being the development of new "groundbreaking" tech that supports uniform standards and "smart policy" in the industry. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey said:

The Institute for Automated Mobility will bring together global industry leaders, a public sector team and the brightest minds in academia, focused on advancing all aspects of automated vehicle science, safety and policy. Arizona is committed to providing the leadership and knowledge necessary to integrate these technologies into the world's transportation systems.

The Arizona Commerce Authority will be overseeing the new research institute, which will benefit from partners like all three major Arizona universities, Intel and other private companies, and the state's Department of Public Safety. For its part, Intel Corp. is said to have played a "key role" in establishing the institute's structure and mission.

Intel's Responsibility Sensitive Safety (RSS) will be a foundation for the institute's research, according to AZ Commerce. Once finished, the IAM will include a variety of facilities designed for things like testing various scenarios and undertaking complex research. Among other things, researchers will have access to a simulation lab for testing — it'll include real-world elements like traffic signals and intersections.

SOURCE: Arizona Commerce Authority