Mississippi’s First Autonomous Shuttle Launches

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Beep, Inc., a leading provider of autonomous shared mobility solutions, in partnership with Mississippi State University (MSU), has launched the state’s and Southeastern Conference’s (SEC) first-ever autonomous shuttle pilot program. The Campus Autonomous Bus (C.A.B.) is now available for transit to all students, faculty, and guests at MSU, marking a significant milestone in advanced mobility technologies within the region.

Key Highlights:

  • Pilot Program Launched After Weeks of Testing: The C.A.B. became operational following extensive testing and validation, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on September 20 at MSU’s campus.
  • Operation Schedule and Route Details: The autonomous shuttle operates daily from 12:00 to 8:00 p.m. along a 2.4-mile route with five key stops: Old Main, Giles, College View, Cotton District, and Sanderson Center.
  • Research and Data Collection: MSU will collect rider input on service quality, routes, and ridership statistics to evaluate the impact of autonomous transportation on campus.
  • Quotes from MSU and Beep Executives: Jeremiah Dumas, MSU’s Executive Director of Transportation, and Toby McGraw, Beep’s Chief Revenue Officer, expressed enthusiasm about the pilot program’s potential benefits.
  • Shuttle Specifications: The two electric autonomous shuttles can each carry 10 seated and secured passengers and are ADA-compliant with a manually deployable ramp operated by an onboard attendant.

The C.A.B. pilot program consists of two electric autonomous shuttles provided by Beep, Inc., with one shuttle operating at a time. The shuttles traverse a 2.4-mile route featuring five stops at significant campus locations. Operating daily from noon to 8:00 p.m., the service offers a new mode of transportation for the MSU community, aiming to enhance mobility and reduce campus congestion.

“MSU is a premier educational institution with a great transportation network, and as leaders in innovative transit, we are always on the lookout for new mobility technologies. This is why we are so excited to learn firsthand how Beep’s autonomous shuttles can provide augmented and extended transportation options to our students, faculty, and city,” said Jeremiah Dumas, MSU’s Executive Director of Transportation. “The data we gather from this pilot program will help us better understand riders’ perceptions of autonomous transportation, and how these solutions can provide convenient ways for students and faculty to get to their destination safely and efficiently.”

MSU plans to utilize the pilot program to evaluate the integration of autonomous transportation systems into its existing fleet. The university is also researching the application of electric and shared autonomous mobility in rural-urban environments, aiming to address broader transportation challenges.

“The launch of Mississippi’s first-ever autonomous shuttle project is a remarkable milestone that highlights the state’s leadership in advanced mobility technologies, and we are proud of how we were able to help make this a reality for MSU and the state,” said Beep’s Chief Revenue Officer Toby McGraw. “As a renowned organization with several leading technology programs, MSU is the perfect location to test and provide advanced autonomous mobility solutions for its students and faculty. We are confident this pilot program will show how autonomous mobility can augment existing transportation systems and the overall benefits of shared mobility solutions on college campuses.”

The shuttles are designed to accommodate 10 seated and secured passengers and include an onboard attendant who assists with passenger safety and provides information about the pilot program. All shuttles are ADA-compliant, featuring a manually deployable ramp operated by the attendant to ensure accessibility for all riders.

While in operation, the shuttles are monitored by the Beep Command Center located in Lake Nona of Orlando, Florida. The command center oversees shuttle performance and can respond to any issues that may arise during operation.

To learn more about Beep and MSU’s new C.A.B., visit www.msstate.edu or www.ridebeep.com.

About Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University is a national doctoral degree-granting, land-grant university offering a wide range of educational experiences for learning, research, and service to a student body of approximately 23,000 students. Among the National Science Foundation’s Top 100 research universities, MSU provides access and opportunity to students from all 50 states and 95 countries. MSU is committed to its comprehensive research university mission, addressing complex local and global issues with innovative ideas and solutions.

About Beep

Beep, Inc. delivers the next generation of autonomous, electric, shared mobility networks through its AI-enabled AutonomOS™ software platform and mobility-as-a-service offerings. Specializing in planning, deploying, and managing autonomous transportation services for private and public communities, Beep safely connects people, places, goods, and services with solutions that reduce congestion, eliminate carbon emissions, improve roadway safety, and enable mobility for all. Beep utilizes artificial intelligence insights and vast data learnings from its deployments to enhance and advance the safety, rider experience, and operating capabilities of autonomous transportation platforms. For more information visit www.ridebeep.com.

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Self Drive News is a premier B2B digital resource meticulously curated for industry professionals, stakeholders, and enthusiasts in the rapidly accelerating world of autonomous vehicles. Rooted in innovation and forward-thinking, we deliver insightful, reliable, and up-to-the-minute news, connecting the diverse and dynamic strands of the autonomous vehicle industry under one interactive platform.