Driverless shuttle service debuted this fall at the University of Michigan’s North Campus.
Two fully automated, all-electric shuttles manufactured by French firm NAVYA are transporting up to 15 students, faculty and staff at a time on a nonstop two-mile route between the Lurie Engineering Center and the university’s North Campus Research Complex on Plymouth Road.
“Making vehicles more automated can improve safety and potentially provide better services when it comes to challenging weather and urban environments when buses are not accessible,” says Huei Peng, director of Mcity, the partnership between the university and 65 companies that is conducting the experiment.
Link to main story: Fleet feats on college campuses
How much the shuttles will relieve this popular bus route during the busiest school hours remains to be seen, but if it’s successful, Peng says, more shuttles and routes could be added.
