Robotics & Automation News

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transit

Vicinity Motor launches its first automated transit bus at Sleeping Bear national park

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Vicinity Motor, a North American supplier of commercial electric vehicles, has launched its first public deployment of a Vicinity Autonomous Lightning Electric Transit Bus in partnership with automated driving software platform provider ADASTEC at Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, beginning service on Wednesday, August 14th, 2024.

As announced by Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist at a launch event at the Michigan State Capitol Building yesterday, through a National Park Service Mobility Challenge Program grant, ADASTEC and Vicinity will deploy an automated, electric low-floor, accessible transit bus that will transport passengers along a 4.1-mile route on Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

The deployment – supported by federal funding – aims to study how the next generation of automated bus technology performs in an outdoor recreational setting. The vehicle will be available for public use and is free to riders with a 7-day, annual or lifetime NPS pass during its deployment period. [Read more…] about Vicinity Motor launches its first automated transit bus at Sleeping Bear national park

May Mobility launches first driverless transit service in Arizona

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May Mobility, a developer of autonomous vehicle technology, has launched the company’s first driverless service for riders on public roads in Sun City, Arizona.

May Mobility’s rider-only vehicles, which leverage its proprietary Multi-Policy Decision Making (MPDM) technology, will operate daily during the week without an operator sitting in the driver’s seat.

Sun City represents the first of many communities globally where May Mobility aims to launch its rider-only transit services to transform cities by providing accessible, safe and reliable transportation. [Read more…] about May Mobility launches first driverless transit service in Arizona

May Mobility launches Arizona’s ‘first’ on-demand autonomous public transit service for 55+ community

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May Mobility, a developer of autonomous vehicle technology, has launched what it claims is “the first on-demand public transit service using autonomous vehicles in Arizona”.

The service has been launched in the retirement community of Sun City. The service will be powered by Via, a specialist in transit technology.

The goal of the deployment is to use autonomous vehicles to expand access to safe, reliable and equitable on-demand transportation to Sun City, a community designed for adults 55 and older. [Read more…] about May Mobility launches Arizona’s ‘first’ on-demand autonomous public transit service for 55+ community

May Mobility launches third-generation of its autonomous driving system

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May Mobility, a developer of autonomous vehicle technology, has launched its third-generation autonomous driving system, describing it as “another significant step” on the path to driverless commercial operations that will improve safety, efficiency and rider satisfaction.

Improvements include increased speed, tele-assist capabilities and improved detection accuracy.

May Mobility’s technology improvements benefit communities and riders in urban, suburban and rural areas who have access to cutting-edge transit. [Read more…] about May Mobility launches third-generation of its autonomous driving system

Gillig and Robotic Research partner to develop autonomous buses

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Gillig, a manufacturer of heavy-duty transit buses, and RR.AI, a provider of autonomous mobility solutions, have reached an agreement to develop “next-generation advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and SAE Level 4 autonomous vehicle technology” for Gillig transit buses in North America.

This partnership will combine RR.AI’s vehicle automation experience and Gillig’s transit operations expertise to produce “state-of-the-art safety and performance capabilities”.

Derek Maunus, Gillig president and CEO, says: “We see this partnership as a great fit for both our companies. [Read more…] about Gillig and Robotic Research partner to develop autonomous buses

Colorado launches ‘America’s largest fleet of autonomous, electric shuttles’

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Autonomous Vehicles Colorado (AvCo), a program designed to improve public transportation using advanced technologies, says it has launched “America’s largest fleet of low-speed, autonomous electric shuttles in multiple cities across Colorado”.

Service in the first of three locations officially launched a couple of days ago at Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado.

For at least the next year, the autonomous shuttle buses will connect Mines students, faculty, staff, and the general public with key destinations in the city and around campus that currently lack convenient mobility options. [Read more…] about Colorado launches ‘America’s largest fleet of autonomous, electric shuttles’

Perrone Robotics completes series of public road tests of its autonomous vehicles

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Perrone Robotics, a provider of autonomous vehicle technology, says it has successfully completed a series of public road demonstrations in the city of Westminster, Maryland, as part of an event hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Gigabit Innovation Collaboratory (MAGIC) Autonomous Corridor Project.

Following the success achieved in Maryland a week before, the company conducted back-to-back public road tests for customers with a GreenPower AV Star zero-emission transit shuttle, and a Low Speed Vehicle neighborhood electric vehicle, both integrated with Perrone Autonomy.

These vehicles are slated for customer deployment later this summer for use in municipal and university transit applications. [Read more…] about Perrone Robotics completes series of public road tests of its autonomous vehicles

Lilee Systems to launch first autonomous buses for public transportation in Taiwan

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Lilee Systems has received the first permit for self-driving bus commercial services on two designated bus lines in Tainan, Taiwan.

The self-driving fleet, subsidized by the Ministry of Transportation, will generate new revenues to the city’s public transit systems by providing two regular bus services in the science park and between the high-speed railway station and the nearby university, exhibition center and large outlet mall.

This milestone of the innovative autonomous rapid transit system has been achieved through partnership with Kasion Green Energy, Taiwan’s sole distributor of BYD vehicles, and Tainan Bus, one of the largest bus operators servicing over 23-million passengers per year. [Read more…] about Lilee Systems to launch first autonomous buses for public transportation in Taiwan

Motional and Via partner to launch platform for public, on-demand shared robotaxi rides

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Motional, a driverless technology developer, and Via, a public mobility solutions provider, have agreed a partnership that they say will “serve as a blueprint for the future of on-demand, shared robotaxis”.

Motional and Via seek to use learnings from the partnership to inform how driverless vehicles can be integrated into mass transit networks, and optimized for pooled rides.

The partnership’s first service – shared robotaxi rides, available to the public – is expected to launch in one of Motional’s existing US markets in the first half of 2021. The initial launch market will be announced at a later date. [Read more…] about Motional and Via partner to launch platform for public, on-demand shared robotaxi rides

Via raises $200 million to develop and expand its mobility services

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Mobility services startup Via has raised a further $200 million in its latest funding round.

Money raised in Via’s Series E fuding round will be used to “expand access to efficient, sustainable, and equitable public mobility across the globe”, says the company.

John Elkann, chairman and CEO of Exor, lead investor in the financing, says: “More important than ever to work for an innovative and sustainable future.” [Read more…] about Via raises $200 million to develop and expand its mobility services