The NSW government will invest $9.5 million to establish the southern hemisphere’s largest government-run autonomous vehicle testing centre.
The upgrade to the ‘Future Mobility Testing and Research Centre’ near Orange was announced by Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway earlier this week.
Cudal’s emerging automotive technologies research centre is planned to become Australia’s first driverless vehicle certification location in the future.
“We aim to incorporate simulated city scenarios, pedestrian interaction test zones, and dynamic autonomous vehicle test conditions such as rain, tunnels, and dirt roads,” added Farraway.
According to Farraway, the improved facility will investigate crash-prevention technologies such as lane keep assist and advanced autonomous braking systems, which the state government hopes to make required on all new vehicles on the market by 2023.
“By aligning the facility with local and worldwide testing criteria by 2023, the facility’s capability will be further expanded to accommodate the rising scope of active safety testing required by the independent safety authority, Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP),” he stated.
Investing more in the Future Mobility Testing and Research Centre, according to Farraway, will also spur investment in the regional community in and around Orange.
“These renovations generate at least $2 million in revenue each year for local businesses through commercial testing opportunities,” he said.
