An artist’s rendering depicts what Paradise Valley Estates might look like when Optimus Ride begins testing its self-driving vehicle technology there. (Image: Optimus Ride)

Paradise Valley Estates, a continuing care retirement community in Fairfield, CA, will help Boston-based Optimus Ride test its self-driving vehicle technology beginning this summer, the company announced Wednesday.

In the first phase of the program at the 80-acre, not-for-profit life plan community, prospective residents will be offered self-driving tours of the community. Additionally, residents will be able to reserve or schedule on-demand rides to other units, the community/health center and outdoor activities on the property.

“We are constantly exploring new ways of innovating within our industry,” Paradise Valley Estates CEO Kevin Burke said in a statement. “With Optimus Ride’s self-driving system, we can attract an increasingly tech-savvy population seeking independent mobility. It also improves the daily experiences and the quality of life for our residents by enabling them to travel easily and safely throughout our community.”

The project in California will be the fourth announced test site for Optimus Ride. Other announced sites include the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York; the Halley Rise mixed-use development in Reston, VA; and the Union Point commercial and residential development outside of Boston.

“Working with leading developments and communities like Paradise Valley Estates and the Brooklyn Navy Yard enable us to further our mission to transform mobility,” Optimus Ride CEO and co-founder Ryan Chin, Ph.D., said.

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