U-M Opens 32-Acre Test Site for Driverless Cars [Video]

Officials with the University of Michigan are opening a new test track today featuring cars with no drivers. The 32-acre facility, called Mcity, contains a network of roadways and sidewalks meant to simulate real-life traffic situations to test the performance of driverless cars and technology that shares data between vehicles. University officials say the emerging automated and connected vehicle technologies are driving change in the auto industry. The Mcity testing facility was built in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Transportation to provide automated vehicles a safe, controlled, and realistic environment before they are taken to actual streets. Officials say they hope to implement a system of connected and automated vehicles in Ann Arbor by 2021.