Lyft, Aptiv to launch self driving car program in Las Vegas

Ride-hailing service Lyft is partnering with an automotive technology company to deploy a fleet of 30 self-driving cars to the streets of Las Vegas this summer. (Photo: Lyft/Facebook)

LAS VEGAS — Ride-hailing service Lyft is partnering with an automotive technology company to deploy a fleet of 30 self-driving cars to the streets of Las Vegas this summer.

Lyft and Aptiv will run the self-driving BMWs between the same predetermined sites that the companies used during a successful demonstration at the International Consumer Electronics Show in January, the Las Vegas Sun reported Thursday.

The BMW 5 Series cars will navigate passengers between the Las Vegas Convention Center and various resorts on the Strip.

Las Vegas is working with Aptiv to extend the routes into downtown, said Michael Sherwood, the city’s director of technology and innovation.

The companies are planning astart date for July or August, Sherwood said. The routes are also subject to change.

Customers will be able to hail a self-driving BMW like any other ride through the Lyft app.

“This is an important next step for Aptiv on our path to commercialization for Automated Mobility on Demand in a thoughtful, prudent and safe manner,” said Glen De Vos, Aptiv’s chief technology officer. “Safety remains our No. 1 priority, and we are going to deploy this fleet slowly and safely, gathering data and insights as we go.”

A trained operator will be in each car, De Vos said in the statement.

Aptiv is planning to work with the city to design other transportation options, aiming to benefit public transportation systems and overcome urban congestion.

“At Aptiv, our goal is to make a safer, greener and more connected future a reality — and this gets us one step closer,” De Vos said.