In a significant pivot that could reshape the autonomous vehicle (AV) landscape, Nuro Inc. has announced a bold expansion of its business model. The Mountain View-based company, known for its quirky autonomous delivery pods, is now setting its sights on a much larger market: passenger vehicles.

A New Chapter in Nuro's Autonomous Journey

Founded in 2016, Nuro has been a familiar name in the realm of autonomous goods delivery. Its pod-like vehicles, designed solely for transporting items like groceries and pizzas, have been a common sight in select U.S. cities. Now, the company is leveraging its years of experience to venture into the world of human transportation.

Andrew Clare, Nuro's Chief Technology Officer, emphasizes that this move doesn't represent a departure from the company's core mission. "Our mission really remains the same," Clare stated in an interview with The Robot Report. "We have been on a mission to better everyday life through robotics for eight years, and that remains true."

The Nuro Driver: A Platform for the Future

At the heart of Nuro's expansion is its advanced AI-based autonomy platform, the Nuro Driver. This technology, which combines automotive-grade hardware with sophisticated artificial intelligence software, is now being offered for licensing to automotive OEMs and mobility providers.

The Nuro Driver is designed to enable up to SAE Level 4 (L4) autonomy, a level of self-driving capability that allows a vehicle to operate without human intervention under specific conditions. This technology could potentially be integrated into personally owned vehicles and mobility platforms, marking a significant leap forward in the accessibility of autonomous driving technology.

From Delivery Pods to Personal Vehicles: The Evolution of Nuro's Technology

Nuro's journey from delivery-focused AVs to passenger vehicles is rooted in technological advancements and market readiness. Clare points out that when Nuro started, the sensing and compute technology needed for L4 applications was limited. Fast forward to today, and the landscape has changed dramatically.

"There are lidar cameras and radar going onto consumer vehicles that have increased in capability dramatically since seven or eight years ago," Clare explains. This progression in technology has enabled Nuro to develop its fourth-generation Driver platform, which looks markedly different from its earlier delivery vehicles.

The new platform utilizes solid-state lidar and NVIDIA's Thor compute architecture, components that are already being integrated into mass-produced consumer vehicles. This shift towards more mainstream hardware is key to Nuro's strategy, promising improved scalability, cost-effectiveness, and reliability.

Why Now? The Timing of Nuro's Expansion

Nuro's decision to expand its focus comes at a time when the autonomous vehicle industry is reaching a critical juncture. Consumer demand for autonomous capabilities in personal vehicles is growing, and many OEMs are announcing plans for autonomous-capable vehicle platforms.

Clare sees this as an opportune moment for Nuro to leverage its expertise. "We believe that we have industry-leading L4 autonomy tech and, most interestingly, Nuro remains a commercially independent company," he states. This independence could make Nuro an attractive partner for OEMs and mobility companies looking to enhance their autonomous driving capabilities without tying themselves to tech giants like Google or GM.

Navigating the Road Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities

As Nuro ventures into the world of passenger transportation, it faces both challenges and opportunities. The regulatory landscape for autonomous vehicles remains complex, particularly when it comes to L4 autonomy in consumer vehicles.

However, Nuro's experience in navigating regulatory hurdles – including being the first U.S. autonomous vehicle developer to receive NHTSA exemptions for public road testing without human operator controls – could prove invaluable. The company plans to continue its close collaboration with government agencies and regulators to chart a path forward.

The Future of Autonomous Driving: Closer Than We Think?

While Nuro hasn't announced specific timelines for its expansion into passenger vehicles, Clare suggests that we might see Nuro technology in consumer vehicles sooner than expected. The company has been in active conversations with OEMs and mobility providers for the past year, hinting at a rapidly evolving landscape.

As Nuro embarks on this new chapter, it's clear that the company's vision extends far beyond pizza delivery. With its advanced technology, strategic partnerships, and ambitious plans, Nuro is positioning itself at the forefront of the autonomous vehicle revolution. The road from delivery pods to passenger vehicles may be complex, but for Nuro, it's a journey worth taking.