Self-Driving cars are getting closer and closer to becoming a part of our everyday lives. If we had to bet, one of the major players in the next few years is going to be Aptiv. The global tech company is known for completing the longest automated vehicle drive ever – traveling nearly 3,400 miles from San Francisco to New York City. Now their next stop seems to be an airport.

The company recently announced that its self-driving vehicles will be picking up and dropping off a select group of passengers at Las Vegas’s McCarran International Airport. Aptiv isn’t new to Vegas as they have been testing their self-driving vehicles in the city for a few years. Customers have been transported to and from places like restaurants, hotels, and entertainment venues. They’ve provided over 50,000 rides in the Las Vegas area in partnership a with Lyft that started in 2018.

credit: Aptiv

Aptiv Hoping for Full Production in 2022

The new program will help both Aptiv and McCarran learn more about robotaxi utilization and deployment, to optimize efficient ground transportation in and out of the airport. It will also aid in the development of Aptiv’s Level 4 autonomous driving platform in which they hope to release a full production-ready system by 2022.

“Data has shown that a significant portion of ride-hailing demand comes from passengers traveling to and from airports,” said Karl Iagnemma, president of Aptiv Autonomous Mobility. “We look forward to working with McCarran International Airport to demonstrate that self-driving cars can soon improve their customers’ mobility experience.”

credit: Aptiv

Joint Venture with Hyundai

Aptiv is also testing autonomous vehicles in places like Boston, Singapore, and Pittsburgh. The company recently entered into an autonomous driving joint venture with Hyundai Motor Group. The joint venture will eventually assume control of Aptiv’s current operations in Las Vegas, including the pilot program at McCarran International Airport.

Check out our articles on 5g self-driving buses and facial recognition at Paris airports.