Representatives from Baidu, NAVYA, PACCAR, Voyage, National Safety Council, California Highway Patrol, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Others to Lead Discussions on Safety and Education

 Velodyne Also Hosting Two-Day “AutoDrive Challenge” in Alameda, Calif. from Oct. 15-16

SAN JOSE, Calif. (Oct. 2, 2018) – Velodyne LiDAR, Inc. today announced its World Safety Summit on Autonomous Technology to address safety issues and public concern regarding autonomous vehicles (AV). The October 18^th event, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., brings together business, government, public safety and community leaders to explore the use of AV technology in a global effort to increase roadway safety. In conjunction with the summit, Velodyne is also hosting the AutoDrive Challenge™ training workshop at its San Jose headquarters on Oct. 15-16. Part of a three-year competition with General Motors and SAE International, the workshop gives eight teams of university students the chance to develop a fully autonomous vehicle. To RSVP for the Safety Summit, please click here.

The summit is hosted by Jamie Hyneman, former host and executive producer of MythBusters. Keynotes from three industry experts will be part of the day’s events:

• Christopher A. Hart, former chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
• Anne S. Ferro, president & chief executive officer, American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators
• Mark R. Rosekind, Ph.D., Chief Safety Innovation Officer, Zoox

During the summit, attendees can participate in an interactive Open Working Group led by David Strickland, Partner, Venable LLP and former Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Closing remarks will be made by Vicki Knox, interim chief executive officer with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

“This first-ever World Safety Summit on Autonomous Technology provides participants with a forum for frank discussions about the direction of autonomous vehicles. It will also spark collaborative work that increases consumer awareness around how AV will revolutionize transportation,” said Marta Hall, president and chief business development officer, Velodyne LiDAR. “The summit aims to increase understanding of the safety benefits that can be achieved with autonomous vehicles.”

Summit speakers include experts from Baidu, PACCAR, Voyage, NAVYA, AutonomouStuff, National Safety Council, Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International, Auto-ISAC, Axios, California Highway Patrol (CHP), Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and Velodyne LiDAR. NAVYA and Voyage have developed autonomous vehicles using Velodyne LiDAR technology that are currently on the road.

About the World Safety Summit

The summit features two expert panel sessions that explore ways to educate the public about autonomous technology in an effort to boost knowledge, address concerns and clarify issues. The first session, “Defining Full Autonomy and its Necessary Technologies,” focuses on the ways companies, media and government can increase public trust in AV technology by providing transparent and consistent messages about standards and capabilities. The second session, “Responsible Autonomous Vehicle Deployment,” provides a forum for speakers to explore how companies and governments can work together to safely realize the social, economic and environmental benefits of AV technology.

Among the other activities and events taking place during the summit:

• Live autonomous vehicle rides in an AutonomouStuff AV and a NAVYA AUTONOM Shuttle
• Static autonomous vehicle demonstration with LiDAR sensor output from Voyage
• Virtual reality (VR) demonstration of LiDAR sensor technology
• Informational displays and booths hosted by organizations including SAE International, CHP, MADD, the Epilepsy Foundation, Axios, Voyage and others

Oct. 15/16 AutoDrive Challenge and Student Education on Autonomous Vehicles

In conjunction with the summit, Velodyne is leading an October 15-16 training workshop at its San Jose headquarters for students from the eight university teams participating in the AutoDrive Challenge™.  This three-year competition, organized by General Motors and SAE International, tasks teams with developing a fully autonomous vehicle. Students from this event will also be on hand at the October 18^th Safety Summit.

The workshop’s focus is LiDAR technology, which provides the high-resolution, 3D information about the surrounding environment that is required for fully autonomous driving. The workshop will educate students on key LiDAR development building blocks, including sensor integration, sensor fusion, lane detection and vehicle detection. It also includes an overview of the Velodyne Megafactory, the robotic manufacturing hub for the world’s most advanced LiDAR sensors.

“Innovation and ingenuity are a cornerstone in making the safety of autonomous vehicles a reality,” said David L. Schutt, PhD, CEO, SAE International. “Through the AutoDrive Challenge, students explore and gain hands-on experience to learn how LiDAR and other technologies can guide an autonomous vehicle reliably and safely. Velodyne LiDAR is taking a leadership role in helping train these next-generation engineers who are preparing to invent the future of safer transportation.”

Velodyne is a key AutoDrive Challenge sponsor and core technology provider, supplying LiDAR sensors to the university teams along with technical support from Velodyne engineers. The universities participating in the AutoDrive Challenge include: Kettering University, Michigan State University, Michigan Tech University, North Carolina A&T State University, Texas A&M University – College Station, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo and Virginia Tech.

For more information about the World Safety Summit on Autonomous Technology, please click here.

MEDIA PLEASE NOTE: To RSVP for the Safety Summit, for more information about Velodyne LiDAR or to request an interview with David Hall, please contact David Cumpston at [email protected] / (415) 359-2316.