October 04, 2021
On May 18, 2021, May Mobility, Mcity, and Ann Arbor SPARK announced the launch of A2GO Autonomous Shuttle, a new autonomous vehicle (AV) shuttle service in Ann Arbor. The free service will be available to the public starting Monday, Oct. 11. However, some attendees of a2Tech360, a week-long series of events catered to technology and mobility, will get the chance to ride on it before then.
The new A2GO shuttle will be available for Influence on Mobility and Technology on Today’s Workforce attendees to test out on Oct. 6, from 9-11 a.m., five days before its public launch. It will be outside of Cahoots (206 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor), where the event will be held.
In addition to testing out the new shuttle, attendees will also be able to network with technology, mobility, and startup companies, enjoy a breakfast catered by Zingerman’s, and take a tour of Cahoots’ coworking space.
Event tickets cost $40 for Cahoots’ members and $60 for non-members. Buy tickets here.
In May Mobility, Mcity, and Ann Arbor SPARK’s May announcement, May Mobility shared they will operate a fleet of five autonomous, shared, on-demand vehicles for A2GO. Four shuttles will be hybrid-electric Lexus RX 450h vehicles with a three-passenger capacity. One shuttle will be a Polaris GEM fully electric vehicle with a capacity for one wheelchair passenger. Both shuttles will operate in a service area that connects Kerrytown, the University of Michigan campus, and the State Street corridor.
To catch a ride on A2GO, individuals will need to request a shuttle using the free May Mobility app, which will be available closer to the public launch date on Oct. 11.
“We are thrilled to be launching a new shuttle service here in our hometown so that our friends, family, and the entire community of Ann Arbor can experience our self-driving technology firsthand,” said Edwin Olson, founder and chief executive officer of May Mobility.
The companies also ensured that A2GO shuttles would be entirely safe for riders and pedestrians. The project engages !important Safety, a Montreal-based company whose U.S. headquarter is at Ann Arbor SPARK. Their pedestrian safety technology communicates with nearby autonomous vehicles like A2GO shuttles to prevent collisions.
“Ann Arbor proves once again that it is a powerhouse for innovation with its mobility initiative known as A2GO, and !important is proud to be a part of it,” said Bastien Beauchamp, CEO of !important. “The city’s A2GO initiative brings safety to the highest level possible by integrating with our free, smartphone safety app for the people of Ann Arbor.”
Learn more about !important here, and read the May press release here.
Written by Krishaun Burns, Let’s Detroit
