Beep Autonomous Self-Driving Shuttle at Stop – Courtesy: Shutterstock — Joni Hanebutt
There will be a new kind of transportation in Orlando, Florida, and it won’t include any human drivers.
Beginning later this month, a free electric, self-driving shuttle will transport people around a 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) loop in the center of Orlando.
The Central Florida community is conducting a six-month trial of an eight-passenger shuttle service. The data acquired from the pilot program will be used by transportation planners to inform the city’s future mobility policy.
The shuttles will run along a one-mile, five-stop loop using the LYMMO Orange Line during off-peak hours starting on August 20. According to a news release, the loop will connect LYNX Central Station to locations in and near Creative Village, including the UCF/Valencia Downtown Campus, Luminary Green Park, Electronic Arts, and the ACE school.
The shuttles will be available seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. They will seat eight passengers and be free to use.
Beep was recently up in Altamonte Springs, branching out from Lake Nona operations to provide “CraneRIDES” in Cranes Roost Park. This shuttle loop started operating in late July and plays a similar function to what “SWAN” is anticipated to do in downtown Orlando.
“With the expansion of autonomous vehicle shuttles into our neighborhoods, we can converge cutting-edge technology with new mobility solutions to further redefine the way our community moves,” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said.
Beep Inc., an Orlando-based business that already runs a comparable service in a planned neighborhood close to Orlando International Airport, is in charge of running the autonomous shuttle service.
Stories that matter are our priority. At Florida Insider, we make sure that the information we provide our readers is accurate, easy-to-read, and informative. Whether you are interested in business, education, government, history, sports, real estate, nature or travel: we have something for everyone. Follow along for the best stories in the Sunshine State.
Mike has more than 30 years of experience in marketing and public relations. He once owned his own agency and has worked with some of the largest brands in the world.
