Singapore's race to develop self-driving tech

It may look like a giant robotic bug but the MooAV could be the car of the future.

Made by startup MooVita, it's one of dozens of autonomous vehicles being put to the test at a special center in Singapore that aims to advance the development of self-driving car technology.

Startups from around the world are coming to the purpose-built track that recreates an urban environment over 5 acres at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University. The roads look like any other in the city, with stop lights, crosswalks and traffic signs. There's even a rain simulator.

It's all part of an effort to test how autonomous vehicles cope with all those elements.

Dillip Limbu, MooVita's CEO, said the quirky design of the company's car, the MooAV, is intentional.

"In order for the public to know that this is different to conventional cars, it needs to be noticeably different on first impressions, and stand out in comparison to other cars," he told CNN.

At last I can conclude saying that - self-driving cars might still be a rarity on our roads, but the speed at which the technology is developing has researchers and developers in a race to get ahead of what could one day develop into a major industry.

-26.02.2019