The shuttle spawned from the partnership will offer nine seats, six fixed and three flexible, with a payload of around 1,000 kg (2204 lb). Its autonomous capabilities are enabled by the Mobileye Drive platform, which is equipped with purpose-built EyeQ processors and a sensor suite that includes cameras, radars, and LiDAR sensors. The platform also provides the AV with dedicated mapping solutions. During operations, the AV can reach a maximum speed of 70 km/h (43 mph) and has an estimated range of more than 217 miles (350 km) per day, and more than 62 miles (100 km) on one battery charge.

Following its presentation at IAA Mobility, VDL and Schaeffler will look to develop the AV further as they work towards testing it on streets in 2025. The companies confirmed that they are currently in advanced negotiations with public transport authorities and operators about potential pilot projects involving the AV. Germany is planned to be the first country where the newly developed and manufactured shuttles will operate, benefiting from the country’s recent approval of SAE L4 vehicles for use on public roads. Following these trials, the companies will then look to take the prototypes into series production, where they expect to produce thousands of shuttles per year from 2030 at VDL’s Mobility Innovation Centre located in Born, a village in the Netherlands.

Together, Schaeffler and VDL ultimately intend to develop and build their shuttles for public transport operators, with the companies envisioning these vehicles to be operating as part of a comprehensive ecosystem. The pilot project negotiations they are engaging with alongside operators will help them achieve this goal, with the projects intended to prove the concept and set up a scalable ecosystem with open interfaces.

The autonomous pilot program, called SWAN Shuttle, will provide the City and LYNX with a large set of data and learnings, which the organizations will utilize to support the city’s transportation strategy. Here, the program will work to help them understand how shared, electric, and autonomous vehicles can support Orlando residents, enable enhanced accessibility and improved quality of life and ensure that the city itself remains future-ready and sustainable.

Standing for Shuttling With Autonomous Navigation, the SWAN Shuttle pilot will operate as a fare-free service for residents, visitors, and businesses. These customers will be able to experience the pilot service seven days per week at the Creative Village urban innovation district located in downtown Orlando. Spread over approximately one mile, the shuttle’s route will have five stops: connecting the LYNX Central Station and SunRail to UCF/Valencia Downtown, Luminary Green Park, Electronic Arts, the Parramore neighborhood, and the Creative Village district. The pilot’s shuttles will operate in an existing bus lane, which is today dedicated to the LYMMO Orange Line bus service, in the early afternoon and evening – with hours ranging from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM.

The SWAN Shuttle pilot marks the latest step in Beep’s autonomous shuttle activity, with the provider having a history of deploying and testing similar shuttles for communities in various U.S. states. Most notably, the company is responsible for a large autonomous shuttle network based in the Lake Nona Region – a community in the City of Orlando. Beep’s national command center, located in Lake Nona, will provide monitoring and oversight of the Creative Village SWAN Shuttle pilot alongside its other project sites across the United States.

The France Relance program is a Government initiative. It was introduced by the Prime Minister in September 2020 and its objective is to build the France of 2030 with 100 billion euros deployed to promote strategic initiatives and face the Covid-19 crisis.
Navya responded to this RFP and secured a total of 7.5 million euros of subsidies (mainly non-repayable) to pilot four high-tech projects. The different initiatives are as follows:

• The DLS project (Deep Learning Segmentation) aims to collect data from the road environment and to quantify the detected obstacles by using Artificial Intelligence and Big Data modules. The objective is to feed the database and datasets to recognize changes in the road environment, dynamically modify the reference map and adapt the vehicle’s behaviour.
• The 5G-AV project (5G for Autonomous Vehicles) intends to operationally implement the technological contributions of 5G in autonomous driving for the benefit of customers, in partnership with Orange. In particular remote assistance, cybersecurity and the processing of data analyzed by Artificial Intelligence deported to the operators’ computing centres. This initiative will follow on from the level 4 fully autonomous experimentation carried out in Châteauroux in June 2020. This project is a prize-winner of the France Relance program.
• The A.I.V. project (Autonomous Industrial Vehicles) consists of developing an innovative concept of tractors equipped with autonomous driving technologies and associated services, adapted to the specificities of applications in the airport, industrial, mass distribution and e-commerce sectors. This project will accelerate the development of the AT135 within the SOFVIA joint venture between Navya and Charlatte Manutention. This project is a prize-winner of the France Relance program.
• EFIBA (Emergence of the Autonomous Bus Sector) is an initiative led by a consortium composed of Actia, Bluebus and Keolis wishing to prepare the French sector for the autonomous bus market. The ambition of this project is to develop and industrialize an automated version of the Bluebus electric buses, from their design to their marketing. This project is a prize-winner of the France Relance program.

The free service, a part of TMF’s Together in Motion Indiana, began June 1, and serves the downtown Indianapolis and Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) communities. Together in Motion is an initiative bringing stakeholders together to test the interoperability of mobility innovations and facilitate the efficient movement of people and goods. The autonomous shuttle service supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Sustainable Cities and Communities goal (No. 11) and Toyota’s commitment to providing Mobility for All.

The Together in Motion AV shuttle service runs through Nov. 19, 2021 and operates Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The service is available to the public and features five Lexus RX 450h vehicles and one wheelchair-accessible Polaris GEM shuttle equipped with May Mobility’s autonomous technology.

There are nine designated stops in Indianapolis, each identifiable by a sign providing route information and a scannable QR code leading to the Together in Motion Indiana website. Through the QR code, riders can learn more about May Mobility technology and the shuttle route. Shuttles arrive in 10- to 15-minute intervals on a rotating loop. The route was designed to increase mobility options by providing a connection from the Vermont Station – along IndyGo’s Red Line – to areas west of downtown. Additionally, the route circles the IU Health University Hospital and the Riley Hospital for Children campuses. Riders can plan their trips on Google Maps and see live updates of a shuttle’s location. 

To ensure riders’ health and safety, masks are currently required for all passengers and fleet attendants. Shuttles will carry only one household per ride, and all shuttles are equipped with partitions and UVC disinfectant lights that will clean the shuttle interior between rides.

The AV shuttle service is part of the Together in Motion Indiana initiative announced earlier this year by TMF and ESN. It aims to foster innovation through industry partnerships and propel research and development in advanced mobility technologies in Indiana.

The initiative supports the deployments of various mobility solutions to better serve the transportation needs of the local communities, to understand the changing ecosystems surrounding these needs, to potentially expand such initiatives into other communities, and to establish networks for the sharing and leveraging of key learnings. As each mobility solution is developed with local community input, this human-centered approach facilitates the implementation of valued activities and the commercialization of an array of cooperative options.

Prior to opening the shuttle service to the public, May Mobility provided Indianapolis residents and Indy 500 race week guests free 10-minute-long rides along a special demonstration route near the Indiana Statehouse. More than 60 attendees experienced the AV shuttle service in a Lexus RX 450h equipped with May Mobility’s autonomous technology.

In the next phase of the initiative, May Mobility will operate an AV shuttle route in Fishers, Indiana. This service is slated to begin in November 2021.

Germany is one of the main markets for autonomous vehicles worldwide¹. In order to position itself as a pioneer of autonomous mobility solutions, Germany is the first country in the world to adopt a legal framework for level 4 autonomous vehicles, paving the way for numerous commercial applications. The new legislation adopted in May 2021, which allows driverless vehicles to operate in regular service on open road, will accelerate the development of the sector. The recent deployments confirm Navya’s development in Germany, based on experiments in complex environments and thanks to the collaboration of leading industrial players operating in Germany.

Navya has worked with Valeo Group and other partners in Germany, on the deployment of 6 Autonom Shuttle within the framework of the SMO (Shuttle Modellregion Oberfranken) project. Spread over three cities in northern Bavaria (Hof, Rehau, Kronach), the shuttles, currently in the deployment phase, carry passengers on open road. They are equipped by Valeo with sensors and data acquisition tools, in addition to the components already present in Navya’s systems. In line with previous deployments, Navya has enabled the transfer of know-how through in-situ operators training. Navya autonomous driving systems are deployed on the following sites:

– Hof:  Autonom Shuttle travel on open road within a 3 km route connecting the train station with the rest of the city and including access to a pedestrian zone. The operation is carried out by Regionalbus Ostbayern GmbH, a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn, and is integrated into the public transport network;
– Rehau: the 2 shuttles transport on public road the employees of the Rehau AG company, from the parking area to the factories and administrative buildings. This service will become public later in 2021

;- Kronach: the 2 shuttles deployed are operated by Omnibusverkehr Franken GmbH, a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn. This service completes the public transport network with a route of almost 3 kms, from the upper town to the Rosenberg fortress.

Prior to these experiments, Navya had been present in Germany through other projects, with nearly twenty deployments, including:

– Regensburg: since 2021, 2 shuttles run on open road on a track operated by Das Stadtwerk Regensburg Mobilität GmbH;
– Berlin:the project, operated by BVG, was completed in mid-2020 and enabled the deployment of 2 Autonom^® Shuttle at the Charité Hospital;
– Frankfurt: several experiments lasting a few months have been carried out by RMV, notably at the Wiesbaden clinic and around Eberbach Abbey;
– Hamburg: an open road service consisting of 2 shuttles and operated by TUHH completes since the end of 2019 the bus network of the village of Lauenburg/Elbe;
– Sylt:a shuttle ran until the end of 2020 in the village of Keitum, on the island of Sylt.

All of these services provide the inhabitants of the cities concerned with innovative mobility solutions that make their daily lives easier while reducing traffic and improving road safety.

Verizon Public Sector and MCAS Miramar announced the first-ever 5G Ultra Wideband deployment on a military base last July. Since then, in collaboration with a number of strategic partners, they have created a true testbed for innovation, exploring 5G-enabled innovations across autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, and drones.

Robotic Research officials see the nationwide rollout of 5G as creating huge opportunities for autonomous vehicles by enabling higher-bandwidth and real-time sharing of data between vehicles and between vehicles and infrastructure. Among the other areas of focus being pursued, the 5G Labs team within Verizon is exploring the benefits of 5G around public safety, frictionless commerce, and energy management.

One area of innovation includes onboard safety attendants. Currently, in most autonomous shuttles, there is a steward who monitors the health and status of the vehicle. But as the autonomous industry continues to mature, it could follow a similar model to that of home security systems.

All that is required is a reliable data backbone, and Robotic Research officials see Verizon’s 5G network as the next step in the right direction.

With help from Prospect Silicon Valley, this project is the nation’s first autonomous vehicle project to focus entirely on accessibility. The project is anchored by the development of three new features: a Smarter AI Gateway that applies precision AI models to Olli’s internal and external cameras to notify Olli when a passenger is using a mobility device, an automated wheelchair ramp, developed by BraunAbility, and a ride-hailing application that allows mobility device users to customize their ride preferences, built by Liftango.

The project’s next phase will have passengers interact with these accessibility features at the VA Hospital campus in Palo Alto, operating in mixed traffic from the VA hospital complex to the Palo Alto and Mountain View transit centers. The multi-stage Accessible Automated Vehicle Project was funded using a grant facilitated by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Other partners in this venture are Robotic Research and Mineta Transportation Institute.

The 3 shuttles deployed run along a 1.6 km path on an open road, in complete interaction with other users. The route includes 4 stops, linking the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines/Montigny-le-Bretonneux train station to a suburban area that includes several firms. The shuttles run every 8 minutes during rush hour, Monday to Friday, from 7.30 am to 8 pm. They are integrated into heavy traffic. The service completes the public transport offer of the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines agglomeration. As part of this experiment, users benefit from free transport.

Inaugurated on March, 31st 2021, this project launched by Ile-de-France Mobilités in association with the city of Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines is operated by Keolis and will run until at least June 2022. This is the first deployment of autonomous shuttles on public roads with a service level commitment: a further step towards a larger-scale integration of autonomous shuttles in daily public transport services. The launch of this service is a perfect response to the challenges faced by local authorities looking for innovative solutions to improve their transport services.

The two companies wish to gather their mutual expertise through a technical partnership to design and develop a self-driving vehicle.
This development will be based on the platform of Bluebus, a company with expertise in the design, development, manufacture and sale of 100% electric buses integrating lithium metal batteries (LMP^©). The vehicle’s braking, acceleration and directional components will be automated to work with Navya’s autonomous driving software. In addition, many interactions with the on-board equipment will also be manageable via the software developed by Navya.

After a first round of constructive discussions, the two companies today confirm their desire to expand their work, with the aim of concluding a partnership agreement in the near future. This agreement will define the conditions for carrying out their joint project, which aims to facilitate the marketing of autonomous transportation solutions.

Operations will start in a defined area in which the baggage process is simulated. In the second phase, the trial will be continued in an operational environment to bring baggage to the aircraft. The autonomous vehicle will be loaded in the baggage area, after which it will navigate to an aircraft stand via a fixed route. The vehicle is manufactured by ground-handling equipment supplier TLD, with EasyMile supplying the autonomous software. 

Beep will work in concert with both NPS Park Planning, Facilities and Lands Directorate, the Department of Transportation and Yellowstone National Park to safely plan, deploy and operate two autonomous shuttles in the Canyon Village. Exact shuttle stops, route locations and distance will be determined jointly between Beep and the NPS. According to a press release by Yellowstone National Park, the initiative is part of the Yellowstone Visitor Use Management Program, which is focused on testing a range of pilot projects around the park to enhance the visitor experience.

The Olli 2.0 was delivered to Jacksonville in late August through a partnership with Beep, a Florida-based autonomous Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) provider, Local Motors by LM Industries, the world’s first and only digital vehicle manufacture, and Robotic Research LLC, one of the world’s leading connected, autonomous technology providers. This is Local Motor’s first electric, autonomous, 3D-printed shuttle to be built in the United States. It will lead the next phase of the JTA’s Test & Learn activities at Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Cecil Center Campus and the JTA’s Armsdale Test & Learn facilities.

This is the fifth autonomous vehicle the JTA has tested since it launched its Ultimate Urban Circulator program in 2017. The U²C program will transform and modernize the existing Skyway APM system in Downtown Jacksonville to support autonomous vehicles and related technologies. The multi-phase program includes the full conversion of the existing Skyway infrastructure and neighborhood expansions through ground-level connections, creating a 10-mile urban transit network.

Innovation and sustainability are two of KAUST’s highest priorities. Implementing autonomous vehicles on campus is an important next step for them in creating transportation solutions that help reduce emissions, increase mobility and can help diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy.

The shuttles on the KAUST campus use mapping, cognitive response technology, light detection and ranging (Lidar), and obstacle avoidance systems to control, navigate and drive the vehicles. Both shuttles are fully electric and sustainable, making them not only easily accessible, but also environmentally friendly.

Students and researchers will work together with EasyMile on developing and introducing the new technology in a controlled environment and gathering performance data including vehicle performance, usage rates, and user experience.

The Maryland Department of Transportation, after extensive review of the technology with Montgomery County government, law enforcement, fire/EMS, and public transportation, granted Robotic Research a Highly-Automated Vehicle (HAV) permit for the Olli shuttle. The HAV permit will allow Robotic Research to continue its research and testing of autonomous vehicle capabilities and technology directly on a half-mile stretch of public roadway in Montgomery County. This will be the first deployment of Olli in Montgomery County and the second in the state of Maryland. Local Motors, the manufacturer of Olli, is provided demonstration testing at National Harbor.

Robotic Research provides its AutoDrive autonomy software and hardware to Olli’s manufacturer, Local Motors, to enable the shuttle to operate safely without a driver. For safety redundancies, however, the Montgomery County deployment will have a safety operator on board at all times, available for immediate takeover of vehicle control if necessary.

AutoDrive works on a variety of vehicles, from shuttles like Olli to trucks and buses, allowing them to operate autonomously in common and complex transportation environments, including pedestrian walkways, downtown areas, roadways, intersections, corporate campuses, traffic lights and much more. All of these functions occur while the vehicle is collecting and analyzing data to better enhance the future of autonomous vehicles and local transportation. AutoDrive supports various autonomy programs in commercial and government sectors and is currently operating in communities and cities around the globe.

Over the next two years, NAVYA’s autonomous shuttles will be fully integrated within the city of Lyon’s public transport network, and will provide a regular service from 8.30 am to 7.30 pm Monday through Saturday (except on match days and during other events) between the Décines Grand Large tram station (line T3) and the Parc Olympique Lyonnais stadium. The new N1 line takes part of the 85 line route.

The 1.4 Km route taken by the shuttles is located in a dense urban traffic environment used by thousands of vehicles each day. This new service allows NAVYA to address various major technical challenges, as the route passes through 4 intersections with traffic lights, 1 roundabout and 8 pedestrian crossings at an average speed of 13-15 km/h, the objective being to eventually increase this to 20-25 km/h.

This service, developed in collaboration with SYTRAL and public transport operator Keolis, is part of the AVENUE (“Autonomous Vehicles to Evolve to New Urban Experience”) European measures, selected by the HORIZON 2020 European project, to develop autonomous vehicles in European cities. Geneva, Luxembourg and Copenhagen have also been chosen as pilot cities.

Now in a public testing phase, the airport’s Easy Mile EZ10 driverless shuttle is available to transport passengers going between the Barbara Jordan Terminal and the Rental Car Facility/Ground Transportation. Operating on the upper level of Garage 1, the electric, driverless and ADA-compliant vehicle represents another mobility alternative for transporting travellers on the airport’s campus.

The shuttle’s current route will take passengers from the terminal to the front of the Rental Car Facility/Ground Transportation, which is also the location for the airport’s ground transportation pick-up area for taxis and ride-app services. Other route options may potentially be explored in further testing.

The shuttle seats six with additional room for standing passengers and has a built-in automated electric access ramp for wheelchair accessibility. While the vehicle itself operates autonomously, an AUS attendant is present to assist travelers and for safety purposes during this pilot program.

Adding a green energy, mobility solution to the airport benefits both travelers and the environment and is just one of the steps AUS is taking to meet the City of Austin’s Strategic Direction 2023 Health & Environment outcome.

The TONY-based AVNU shuttle will offer riders trips within local residential developments, trips to connect neighborhoods, and connections from these areas to the downtown business district. After the pilot phase, additional routes will be established to demonstrate Albemarle County development initiatives such as connector services for satellite parking, and connections with JAUNT’s commuter shuttles also targeted for autonomous operation with TONY technology.

• Equipped with a new safety architecture to allow operation without an on-board attendant

• Redesigned and optimized sensor set to provide even wider vision

• Enhanced passenger experience with new cushioned seats, seat belts and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant wheelchair anchor points for better comfort and safety

Sacramento State will have use of two Olli shuttles, which are the first co-created, self-driving, electric vehicles designed to transport small groups at low speeds. The shuttle is equipped with cognitive response technology, utilizes sensors and cameras throughout the vehicle, and relies on a first-of-its-kind obstacle avoidance system.

Adding the vehicle to its testing fleet allows Goodyear to use it for advanced mobility evaluation at various locations, including the University of Michigan’s Mcity Test Facility, the public-private research, and development site with about 16 acres of roads and traffic infrastructure.

The test work with autonomous vehicles allows Goodyear to study the operation and maintenance areas that need to be addressed when there is no driver at the controls. This includes future tire technology options for such vehicles.

Additionally, in Luxembourg, where it operates one of its two global innovation centers, Goodyear is outfitting three autonomous shuttle buses. The vehicles, operated by bus company Sales-Lentz, will shuttle up to 14 passengers per ride on a variety of local routes.

On the three shuttles, Goodyear tires are equipped with sensors to collect operational data in the real-world application, which Goodyear engineers and data scientists can use to map predictive maintenance and other performance benefits.