SAIC Motor Innovation Center to Engage Gomentum Station as Vehicle Test Site

Press Release Issued by CCTA

December 11th, 2017

Contact Information

Linsey Willis

Director of External Affairs, CCTA

(925) 256-4728

  lwillis@ccta.net

Mike Xie

Chief Engineer, SAIC Innovation Center

(415) 650-9695

  mxie@saicusa.com

Issued By

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GOMENTUM 1
SAIC Motor Logo

One of China’s largest car manufacturers to test autonomous vehicles at GoMentum

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. – Dec. 11, 2017 – The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is pleased to announce a new partnership between GoMentum Station and SAIC MOTOR Innovation Center (SAIC IC), one of China’s largest car manufacturers. With this partnership, SAIC IC will have access to GoMentum Station – one of the ten United States Department of Transportation designated automated vehicle proving grounds for continuous testing of its autonomous vehicle technology.

SAIC IC is actively working to make a difference in the driverless and connected vehicle industry and hopes to have a vehicle with autonomous features for sale in the Chinese auto market. The innovation center in Silicon Valley is hard at work developing technology, but SAIC IC lacked a proper location for testing its developments and rounding out its research. GoMentum station, with its 20 miles of paved roadways, multiple tunnels, parking lots, and intersections, will allow SAIC IC to safely conduct autonomous vehicle tests. SAIC IC is engaged in developing autonomous vehicle technology by leveraging cutting-edge technologies in the USA, and is currently working on an urban autonomous driving solution to integrate local resources and provide shared mobility services. SAIC IC will use GoMentum Station as a test site for its urban shared mobility solution.

GoMentum Station is the largest secure autonomous vehicle test facility in the United States. With its unique, varied terrain and infrastructure on a large, secure location, GoMentum is the go-to testing location for numerous vehicle technology companies and manufacturers that are working to advance the study of innovative transportation. “CCTA understands that properly simulated testing environments are crucial to the advancement of autonomous vehicle technology,” said Randy Iwasaki, Executive Director of CCTA. “We’re pleased to engage in partnerships like this one with SAIC IC, and believe that by fully supporting this innovative research we will see a mobility revolution that positively impacts the advancement of mobility.”

About SAIC MOTOR Innovation Center

SAIC Innovation Center, founded in 2015, is located in the core of Silicon Valley, California. SAIC Innovation Center has become the Pilot of SAIC in Silicon Valley for innovative practices in technologies, business models and new emerging industries. On June 28, 2017 SAIC Innovation Center (LLC) officially obtained the California permit for testing selfdriving vehicles, that is, SAIC Motor’s autonomous vehicle can be found running on public roads in California. The permit covers two cars and one driver. SAIC becomes the 35th organization to receive a permit, following automakers Ford, GM, Honda and Tesla. In addition, it’s the first Chinese Automobile OEMs to be granted permit in California. Backed by SAIC MOTOR a top automaker in China, SAIC Innovation Center is inclusive and diversified.

About GoMentum Station

GoMentum Station in Concord, California is where the Contra Costa Transportation Authority leads and facilitates a collaborative partnership among multiple automobile manufacturers; original equipment manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers; communications suppliers; technology companies; researchers and academia; public agencies and other partners. At GoMentum Station, technology, innovation and commercialization converge to redefine the next generation of mobility.

About The Contra Costa Transportation Authority

The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is a public agency formed by Contra Costa voters in 1988 to manage the county’s transportation sales tax program and oversee countywide transportation planning efforts. CCTA is responsible for planning, funding and delivering critical transportation infrastructure projects and programs that connect our communities, foster a strong economy, increase sustainability, and safely and efficiently get people where they need to go. CCTA also serves as the county’s designated Congestion Management Agency, responsible for putting programs in place to keep traffic levels manageable. More information about CCTA is available at ccta.net.