Metro Detroit residents invited to experience the future with a ride in a self-driving car

Metro Detroit residents will get a rare opportunity to ride in a self-driving car — provided by Dataspeed, Inc., of Rochester Hills — and learn about self-driving technologies during SAE Demo Days from April 5-7 at Cobo Center.  The event is sponsored by SAE International, Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE), and Dataspeed. Attendance is free to the public.

The public demonstration event will be held in conjunction with SAE International’s WCX annual conference in Detroit.  The event provides members of the public an opportunity to ride in a self-driving car, and interactive displays will help visitors understand the technology behind self-driving cars and their potential benefits: increased safety, expanded mobility for those whose ability to drive a traditional vehicle is limited, and enhanced environmental sustainability.

Hands-on interactive displays provided by partner organizations including AAA, Cruise, the National Safety Council, and Velodyne LIDAR will allow visitors to experience a distracted driving simulator, use virtual reality to explore the hardware used by self-driving cars, and learn about safety technologies designed to help prevent crashes.

SAE International has held three previous self-driving car Demo Days at which hundreds of people have had the opportunity to ride in a self-driving car and learn about self-driving technology. Now, SAE International is partnering with PAVE — a broad coalition of industry leaders, academic and public-sector institutions, and advocates for safety, mobility and sustainability —  that launched its public education campaign in January. PAVE members have come together with the goal of raising understanding and awareness of AV technology so that everyone has the knowledge to participate in shaping the future of our roads.

“Detroit is an iconic American city with a long history of supporting and embracing innovation. SAE’s partnership with Detroit goes back more than four decades; and we are thrilled to offer SAE Demo Days in conjunction with our premier automotive engineering event, WCX,” Raman Venkatesh, PhD, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, SAE International, said. “Along with our partners, PAVE and Dataspeed, we encourage the citizens of Detroit to join us and experience, firsthand, this game-changing self-driving technology.”

“PAVE unites a diverse group of organizations – including traditional automakers, consumer advocates, technology entrepreneurs, and academics – who believe that public awareness and understanding are essential to realizing the full benefits in safety, mobility and sustainability that AVs can bring,” said PAVE Coalition Manager Tara Andringa. “Giving the public the chance to see and experience AVs, up-close and in-person, is one of the most effective ways of building that awareness and understanding. PAVE is proud to partner with SAE International and Dataspeed to host public demonstration events across the country, and we are thrilled that PAVE’s first-ever public event is in Detroit — the heart of the global auto industry.”

“We’re delighted to be a part of such an impactful event in partnership with PAVE and SAE International,” said Paul Fleck, Dataspeed Inc. Founder & CEO. “Autonomous vehicles are undeniably the future of transportation, and it’s critical we ensure the public is properly educated on the technology. The Dataspeed team is eager to share our knowledge on self-driving car safety, testing, and research.”

Members of the public can sign up for a demonstration ride by visiting a special sign-up website.

WHAT: SAE, PAVE and Dataspeed offer public free rides in self-driving car during SAE Demo Days

WHERE: Cobo Center, Detroit

WHEN: April 5-7, 2019

DETAILS: Public can sign up for free rides in a self-driving car, experience interactive displays on self-driving technologies, and speak with experts about the technology and its potential.  

HOW: The public can SIGN UP HERE for a ride in the self-driving vehicle.

WHO: Public Demo Days are sponsored by SAE International, Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE) and Dataspeed, Inc,.