Greensboro Leads the Charge in Autonomous Transit with New Coalition!

Greensboro, North Carolina, United States - There’s a buzz in Greensboro, North Carolina, as the city gears up to transform its public transportation landscape with autonomous mobility. Recently, the ACES Mobility Coalition welcomed the City of Greensboro and the Greensboro Transit Agency, alongside Guident Corp., demonstrating their unwavering commitment to shared autonomous mobility. This exciting partnership was highlighted by Coalition Executive Director Scott Belcher, who noted the expanding influence of ACES with each new member joining their ranks. As Greensboro continues to grow, attracting noteworthy manufacturing jobs from companies like JetZero and Toyota, it’s clear that innovation is at the core of this community’s development.

Greensboro is not just about industry; it’s also an educational hub, boasting nine colleges and universities. The city is rightly proud to be hosting the 2029 FISU World University Summer Games and serving as a base camp for one of the FIFA World Cup teams in the upcoming tournament. These events will bring global attention and further underline Greensboro’s commitment to enhancing urban mobility.

Innovation and Technology

Leading the charge in autonomous transit, Guident, founded in 2019 in Boca Raton, Florida, specializes in remote monitoring and teleoperation technology. Their innovative approach was recently showcased when they successfully teleoperated an ADASTEC automated electric bus from 1,200 miles away at Michigan State University (MSU). This marked an industry first in long-distance remote control of a full-size automated bus in a real operational setting, which could revolutionize the way we think about transportation oversight. The collaboration involves the cutting-edge capabilities of ADASTEC’s flowride.ai automated driving software, alongside Guident’s Remote Monitor and Control Center (RMCC), ensuring a human touch amid the automation.

Guident’s CEO, Harald Braun, highlighted the importance of remote assistance for self-driving vehicle programs, echoing sentiments from ADASTEC’s Cemre Kavvasoglu about advancing automated public transportation. This leap in technology signifies not just progress for Guident but also reshapes the vision of smart cities everywhere.

Autonomous Shuttles in Action

Meanwhile, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C. A&T) has made strides of its own by launching autonomous shuttles in Downtown Greensboro. The new route will connect significant sites from the Harold L. Martin Sr. Engineering Research and Innovation Complex to the Miriam P. Brenner Children’s Museum, with service beginning on weekdays from September 19 to October 13, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The pilot program is designed to include not just students but faculty, staff, and community members, ensuring that a wide array of voices contribute to this exciting initiative.

This ambitious project features three low-speed shuttles, a high-speed van, and two autonomous sedans, all capable of completing driving tasks on their own while still compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Furthermore, the program emphasizes connecting underserved communities, showcasing a thoughtful approach to technology that prioritizes accessibility.

The shuttles’ design includes intelligent features for obstacle detection and road-sharing capabilities, all managed through a live tracking app that allows for real-time monitoring and rider feedback. With support from various partners, including the North Carolina Department of Transportation, and industry giants like Google and Volvo, N.C. A&T continues to pave the way for equitable access to transportation.

Greensboro’s journey into autonomous mobility exemplifies how innovation can drive economic and social progress. As these initiatives unfold, the collaboration among local agencies, educational institutions, and technology firms paints a hopeful picture for the city’s future—a future where transportation is not only smart but also inclusive.

For more details on the coalition’s goals, you can read the full announcement on Highways News. To learn about Guident’s groundbreaking work in teleoperation technology, check their update at Guident. Lastly, for information on the autonomous shuttle program by N.C. A&T, visit N.C. A&T News.