nuTonomy and Lyft have reached a strategic research and development partnership focused on bringing autonomous vehicles (“AVs”) to the Lyft network.

Karl lagnemma, chief executive officer and co-founder of nuTonomy, said in a statement, “By combining forces with Lyft in the U.S., we'll be positioned to build the best passenger experience for self-driving cars. Both companies care immensely about solving urban transportation issues and the future of our cities, and we look forward to working with Lyft as we continue to improve our autonomous vehicle software system.”

Logan Green, the chief executive officer and co-founder of Lyft, said, “At Lyft, we imagine a world where car ownership is optional and cities are designed for people instead of cars. Partnering with nuTonomy is an important step towards making this vision a reality. The nuTonomy team is one of the first movers in autonomous vehicle development, and we look forward to working with them to bring their autonomous vehicles to the Lyft network.”

The R&D effort will take place in Boston, Massachusetts, where nuTonomy has been testing its self-driving electric cars since the beginning of the year. The tests are being conducted in Boston's Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park and the adjacent Seaport and Fort Point neighborhoods. An engineer from nuTonomy rides in each of its vehicles during testing to observe system performance and assume control if needed.

nuTonomy said that through its testing program in Boston, it is building on the knowledge it has gained from the road tests and public trials it has been conducting in Singapore's one-north business district since last August. nuTonomy added that it plans to launch its self-driving mobility-on-demand service in Singapore in 2018.