Aviva and Darwin Expand Autonomous Vehicle Insurance Project
In a move to gain deeper insights into autonomous vehicle (AV) insurance, Aviva and the Darwin Innovation Group are broadening their collaboration. The partners, who launched the UK’s longest-running self-driving passenger service, the Darwin Autonomous Shuttle, in late 2021, are now working with the University of Salford to incorporate a second shuttle into the project.
Like its predecessor, the new shuttle is driverless, without a steering wheel, and uses cameras, LiDAR sensors, 3D maps, and self-driving software for navigation. Both AVs transport passengers around the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire. The project is supported by the European Space Agency and the UK Space Agency.
This initiative aims to provide a greater understanding of how self-driving vehicles interact with each other in real-world settings. Through collaboration, the University of Salford hopes to further its knowledge of AV operation and assess the possibility of deploying such vehicles in the Manchester area.
Aviva is providing insurance coverage for both shuttles, building on the data gathered since the launch of the Darwin Autonomous Shuttle. Darwin has shared data from its AV operations with Aviva to refine the insurer’s understanding of connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) insurance and to facilitate the development of related insurance products.
A key feature being tested by Darwin is shuttles operating on demand, where passengers can request pick-ups at specific points along the vehicle’s route. Deploying on-demand passenger CAVs could become more common in the future, reducing reliance on individual cars, particularly in rural areas.
“The addition of a second shuttle to the autonomous vehicle trial marks an important milestone in our five-year partnership. This trial will give us access to a wealth of rich data, providing valuable insights into claims, underwriting, risk and product areas. This will enable us to be at the forefront of future mobility and ensure that we have products ready to insure the vehicles on our roads as they evolve and change,” noted Tom Pitney, Head of Motor at Aviva.
Daniela Petrovic, co-founder of Darwin, explained the significance of the project: “As the transportation and insurance industries are interwoven, it’s important for insurers to develop as transport evolves. With the expertise we’ve developed through over two years of autonomous vehicle operation, we’re working closely with Aviva to help make widespread autonomous transport a practical reality.”
