Beep Inc. reached an agreement with Mississippi State University (MSU) to launch what it claims is the state’s first ever autonomous shuttle pilot program on the campus.
The program, which will begin later this year, will allow MSU to gather data on how shared and electric autonomous mobility vehicles could act to supplement transportation options on the campus as well as research for rural-urban environments.
Beep said it will work with the Mississippi Department of Transportation and other administrations to ensure the safety, accessibility, sustainability and efficiency of the pilot test.
The test will use two 11-passenger autonomous, electric shuttles with a safety attendant aboard. The shuttles will operate on different routes between the core MSU campus, student housing and entertainment locations. During the test, MSU will collect information and data from the riders to determine the best routes, comfort levels and overall impressions of the shuttle experience.
Beep has been testing its autonomous shuttles on campuses and other areas of the U.S. for many years and has plans to deploy shuttles throughout the U.S. including future platforms the company may be working on in the future.
