Lightning e motors of Colorado, in partnership with Perrone robotics of Virginia, is adding Level 2 and level 4 autonomous driving capabilities to electric medium-sized commercial vehicles and has announced its first customer Perrone's independent technology can be used as a vehicle independent modification kit, including an on-board computer running its own operation software, a sensor kit composed of lidar, radar, camera, GPS, ultrasonic sensor, drive by wire adapter and a monitoring platform.
Lightning plans to install Perron's Tony AV technology on the vehicles of its level 3 to 7 commercial fleet, initially operating autonomously at levels 2 and 4.
Under level 2 operation, some functions are automated - such as lane keeping, adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance - but the human driver has final control over the vehicle.
Level 4 vehicles can allow people to sit in the driver's seat, but the vehicles can also operate normally without people, such as "university campus, downtown business district, resort and large logistics field".
The first "lightning" car modified with Perrone's own technology and put into use is an electric shuttle bus purchased by the non-profit organization PIDC, a public / private economic development company established by the Philadelphia city government and the Greater Philadelphia chamber of Commerce. The self driving shuttle bus is expected to transport tourists and employees in the 1200 acre (485.6 hectare) Philadelphia Navy dock development project.
Lightning said that all its electric freight and passenger vehicles can be equipped with Perrone's Tony AV system and will be fully certified by the transportation department and local transportation agencies. Discussions are under way with other potential buyers of autonomous electric vehicles.