DETROIT, June 12, 2024 /LuxuryAutoNews/ — May Mobility, a leader in autonomous vehicle (AV) technology, today announced the launch of the Detroit Automated Driving Systems (ADS) pilot in partnership with the City of Detroit’s Office of Mobility Innovation (OMI) and the Michigan Mobility Collaborative (MMC).
The “Accessibili-D” service aims to enhance the quality of life for Detroiters living with disabilities or aged 62 and older. The service will be available to select residents starting Thursday, June 20, 2024, and will run through 2026.
May Mobility will deploy three AVs, including two wheelchair-accessible vehicles, to help participants access healthcare facilities, shopping centers, jobs, and social and recreational activities.
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The free service will operate across 68 stops in 11 square miles of downtown Detroit from Monday and Wednesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Interested individuals must submit an Expression of Interest form and will be contacted to enroll. Once enrolled, rides can be booked through the Accessibili-D app, powered by Via, or by calling (734) 209-3408.
“Many Detroiters have trouble getting around due to the costs of owning a car or mobility challenges arising from age or disabilities,” said Edwin Olson, CEO and co-founder of May Mobility. “We’re excited to show how autonomous technology can help in Detroit, where we will be launching our largest service area to date.”
Last July, the Detroit City Council unanimously approved a $2.4 million contract with May Mobility to provide the Accessibili-D service. The MMC and May Mobility have conducted extensive community outreach to educate future riders and identify key locations of interest in downtown Detroit. Based on rider feedback, May Mobility and OMI plan to expand the service zone over the coming months with additional stops and vehicles.
“We’re thrilled to launch the ‘Accessibili-D’ autonomous shuttle service, a vital step toward enhancing mobility for our older residents and those with disabilities,” said Tim Slusser, chief of the Office of Mobility Innovation at the City of Detroit. “This free, innovative service will provide safe and efficient transportation, greatly improving access to essential services for residents who have faced difficulty navigating their needs in the city.”
Advanced Testing and Safety Protocols
In preparation for the launch, May Mobility performed extensive vehicle testing with the University of Michigan’s Mcity and the American Center for Mobility (ACM). Testing protocols included Mcity’s Safety Assessment Program and a comprehensive evaluation process developed by ACM to simulate real-world urban scenarios.
May Mobility’s AVs use Multi-Policy Decision Making (MPDM) technology to navigate city streets. Equipped with multiple lidar, radar, and cameras, the vehicles generate a 360-degree view of their surroundings. MPDM processes data in real-time to simulate thousands of scenarios per second, enabling the AVs to make safe and efficient driving decisions.
The Detroit Automated Driving Systems pilot marks May Mobility’s 14th deployment. The company currently operates in Ann Arbor, MI; Grand Rapids, MN; Miami, FL; Arlington, TX; and Sun City, AZ.
About May Mobility
May Mobility develops and deploys autonomous vehicle technology for municipal and business customers. Its Multi-Policy Decision Making (MPDM) system has facilitated over 350,000 autonomy-enabled rides in the U.S. and Japan.
With strategic partnerships, including Toyota Motor Corporation and NTT, May Mobility aims to set the standard for rider safety, sustainability, and transportation equity. For more information, visit www.maymobility.com.
About the City of Detroit’s Office of Mobility Innovation (OMI)
The Office of Mobility Innovation helps Detroit navigate the evolving transportation and mobility landscape. By working with industry, academia, philanthropy, and government, OMI aims to leverage mobility as a pathway to opportunity for Detroit residents. For more information, visit OMI or follow on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
SOURCE May Mobility
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