Jaguar Land Rover is creating a real-world testing environment for connected technology where self-driving vehicles share the streets with cars, pedestrians and cyclists.

It’s working with global software, mobility and telecoms companies to build the Future Mobility Campus Ireland – a collaborative testbed spread across eight miles of public roads. The Smart City Hub will provide the facilities and expertise to harness valuable sensor data, simulate a variety of road environments and traffic scenarios and trial new technologies. As part of the trials, the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE will be deployed for testing.

JLR says the testbed will advance its research into autonomous, connected, electrified and shared vehicles, which it says is a key part of the company’s commitment to making societies safer and healthier with pioneering technology.

The real-world facility will be equipped with sensors throughout the site, along with high-accuracy location systems, a data management and control centre and self-driving prototype vehicles. It will feature smart junctions, connected roads, autonomous parking and electric vehicle charging as well as links to a 300 mile stretch of connected highway and a managed air traffic corridor for unmanned aerial vehicles.

Cisco, Seagate, Renovo, Red Hat, Valeo and Mergon are also involved.