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Sway Mobility and Mapless AI have launched Corktown Carshare, a teleoperated electric vehicle (EV) carsharing pilot program in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood. This initiative provides nearly 4,000 residents with a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable transportation option. By using remote drivers to deploy EVs autonomously, the program aims to reduce car ownership, ease traffic congestion, and lower carbon emissions. It also seeks to demonstrate the advantages of teleoperated carsharing and gather data to guide future deployments across the U.S.
Key Highlights
- First-of-its-kind teleoperated carshare program in Detroit
- Supported by the State of Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, the Detroit Transportation Innovation Zone, and NextEnergy
- Aims to reduce car ownership, ease congestion, and minimize carbon emissions
The Corktown Carshare program marks a pioneering collaboration between Sway Mobility and Mapless AI, introducing a teleoperated EV carsharing service to Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood. This pilot, launching its first vehicle in February 2025, uses Mapless AI’s remote driving technology to position EVs in high-demand areas each morning. Residents can book trips via a mobile app, and at day’s end, the vehicles are tele-driven to charging stations. Supported by the State of Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME), the Detroit Transportation Innovation Zone (TIZ), and NextEnergy, this initiative tackles urban mobility challenges head-on.
For many Detroiters, limited vehicle access creates barriers to healthcare, groceries, and jobs. Corktown Carshare offers an affordable alternative, potentially saving users up to $12,000 annually in car ownership costs. Unlike traditional carshare programs that require large fleets and dedicated parking, teleoperation allows vehicles to be summoned from a central depot. This reduces the number of cars needed, boosts efficiency, and cuts costs.
“Most car owners only drive their cars a few hours a week, which means many of us spend a lot of money for our cars to sit idle in a parking space or garage,” said Michael Peters, CEO & Co-Founder of Sway Mobility. “Expanding access to affordable, sustainable mobility options by providing carshare-as-a-service will enable more people—particularly those who cannot or do not want to own a private car—to get around town easily and cost-effectively.”
“Mapless AI’s cutting-edge remote driving technology is transforming the way we think about shared mobility, making carsharing more seamless, accessible, and cost-effective,” said Philipp Robbel, CEO & Co-Founder of Mapless AI. “By teaming up with Sway Mobility to launch Corktown Carshare, we are offering Detroit residents an affordable alternative to car ownership while showcasing how teleoperated EV fleets, powered by our unique safety-first technology, can transform urban transportation.”
City and state leaders see the program as a step forward. Tony Geara, Deputy Chief of Mobility Innovation for the City of Detroit, said, “Corktown Carshare represents one key way that our city continues its leadership in pioneering new solutions for critical transportation and mobility challenges. The program is a glimpse into the future of how technology can make cities more connected and accessible for everyone.” Michigan’s Chief Mobility Officer, Justine Johnson, added, “The Corktown Carshare program exemplifies Michigan’s leadership in pioneering innovative, sustainable mobility solutions that directly benefit our communities.”
NextEnergy’s CEO, Jim Saber, highlighted the environmental impact: “The Corktown Carshare program is an exciting demonstration of how technology and innovation can work together to create more sustainable and affordable transportation options.” As the pilot scales, additional charging depots will enhance accessibility, setting a potential blueprint for nationwide adoption.
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