CharterUP and HOLON have announced a collaboration to deploy autonomous shuttle services across campuses, airports, and transit networks in the United States. The partnership pairs HOLON’s Level 4 autonomous shuttle platform with CharterUP’s AI-enabled mobility network and operational infrastructure.
Highlights
- CharterUP will serve as the exclusive deployment partner for HOLON’s autonomous shuttle within defined use cases across its nationwide network.
- The HOLON urban shuttle seats up to 15 passengers and operates at speeds up to 37 mph with lidar, radar, and camera-based sensing.
- The collaboration establishes a phased transition model from human-driven fleets to blended and fully autonomous operations.
- HOLON draws on BENTELER Group’s 150-year engineering heritage and partners with ioki and BENTELER Mobility for software and fleet operations.
How the Partnership Works
Under the agreement, CharterUP will integrate HOLON’s autonomous mobility ecosystem into its existing AI-enabled mobility network. CharterUP currently operates human-driven shuttle and bus programs through a network of more than 8,000 vehicles.
The collaboration enables institutions to pilot autonomous services alongside traditional operations. Customers can plan deployment routes, operate blended fleets, and scale autonomous operations as regulatory and safety frameworks mature.
“This partnership accelerates our mission to redefine group mobility by bringing AI-first intelligence and autonomous capability into real-world transportation operations,” said Armir Harris, Founder and CEO of CharterUP. “By offering HOLON’s mobility solutions to our customers, we can help organizations evolve their transportation networks responsibly, starting with human-driven operations and transitioning to fully autonomous shuttles when they are ready.”
HOLON Urban Shuttle Specifications
The HOLON urban shuttle serves as the core hardware component. It was designed specifically for shared public transport applications. Key specifications include:
- Level 4 autonomous capability for operation without a human driver in defined areas
- ADA-compliant, barrier-free interior with space for up to 15 passengers
- Fully electric, zero-emission powertrain supporting sustainable transit goals
- Full sensor suite including lidar, radar, and cameras
- Operational speed of up to 37 mph on fixed routes or on-demand service
- Automotive-grade construction with U.S.-based manufacturing
The shuttle targets airports, municipalities, corporate campuses, and similar controlled environments. Its design prioritizes congestion reduction and accessible mobility.
Integrated Mobility Ecosystem
HOLON’s offering extends beyond the vehicle itself. The company combines three elements into a single platform: the HOLON urban shuttle, ioki’s modular software and analytics platform, and BENTELER Mobility’s operational infrastructure and financing solutions.
“Partnering with CharterUP is an important step in bringing autonomous mobility into everyday transportation networks,” said Dr. Sven Herzig, Chief Sales Officer at HOLON. “By combining HOLON’s integrated 360° mobility solution with CharterUP’s proven deployment expertise and national reach, we are enabling organizations to adopt autonomous transit safely, sustainably, and at scale.”
BENTELER Mobility CEO Tobias Liebelt added that the collaboration provides operational and infrastructural foundations for reliable autonomous services. He emphasized that the partnership creates a low-risk pathway from pilot programs to long-term autonomous operations.
Deployment Strategy and Next Steps
CharterUP will support customers through several phases of autonomous adoption. The process includes route planning and service model optimization, blended fleet operation with both human-driven and autonomous vehicles, and gradual transition as autonomy regulations advance.
HOLON’s autonomous technology is progressing through regulatory approvals in both Europe and the United States. The company has established dedicated production facilities and is conducting real-world testing programs. These milestones position the CharterUP-HOLON partnership to scale as the regulatory environment evolves.
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