Orlando, Florida has debuted its first self-driving shuttle, allowing passengers to use an autonomous vehicle to get around downtown. The shuttle, called the Beep Shuttle, is a partnership between Beep, a Florida-based autonomous transportation tech company, and Florida Polytechnic University, a public research university. The shuttle runs between two different stops in downtown Orlando, covering a two-mile section of the city.
The shuttle is designed to be a “last-mile” solution, providing transportation between the city’s mass transit stops. It can accommodate up to 12 passengers, who will be transported in an electric shuttle bus with no driver. The shuttle is programmed to obey all local traffic laws and is monitored by a remote operator to ensure safety.
The shuttle service is being provided free to passengers at launch and aims to provide an accessible and convenient transportation solution. This is just the beginning of the city’s push into autonomous technology, as the city hopes to eventually introduce a larger fleet of autonomous shuttles to accommodate more passengers. Orlando is also set to launch its first autonomous vehicle pilot program by the end of the year.
