This talk will present cutting-edge AI techniques for the development of autonomous vehicles (AVs), with a focus on their deployment in rural and suburban areas. It will begin by discussing the novel autonomy architectures of microtransit AVs developed at North Carolina A&T State University, highlighting innovative approaches tailored to these challenging environments. The speaker will then discuss his team team’s advancements in multi-modal sensing and perception, which are critical for real-time decision-making, control, and testing of AVs in rural and suburban settings. 

The presentation will cover both theoretical developments and experimental results, particularly in areas such as lane detection and tracking under difficult conditions (e.g., faded or missing lane boundaries), detection and response to vulnerable road users (e.g., pedestrians), and robust control on challenging terrains (e.g., steep inclines or sharp turns). Additionally, insights from recent deployments of microtransit AVs at the rural AV test track at NCA&T, as well as on public roads in underserved communities of Greensboro, will be shared. These efforts aim to enhance mobility and connect residents of disadvantaged areas to vital establishments in downtown Greensboro. 

Finally, the talk will discuss the challenges that lie ahead and the future advancements needed to achieve higher levels of autonomy for AVs, with a particular emphasis on deployment in rural communities.