EasyMile is to deploy nine electric autonomous EZ10 shuttles to connect Colorado School of Mines’ central campus, athletics complex, student housing and downtown Golden.
EasyMile says its shuttles safely navigate complex environments using advanced sensors, cameras and Lidar, limiting the risk of human error that contributes to 94% of vehicle-related fatalities.
The free shuttle service – powered by Siemens VersiCharge AC chargers – will operate in normal city traffic and has been named The Mines Rover.
Each vehicle can hold six seated passengers as well as an onboard customer service ambassador who can take over manual control of the shuttle if necessary.
Paul C. Johnson, president of Colorado School of Mines, says: “At Colorado School of Mines, our students and faculty are conducting research on the cutting edge of autonomous and intelligent systems. This partnership is a natural extension of our mission of advancing knowledge and innovations that will have a transformative impact on society.”
The roll out is part of Autonomous Vehicles Colorado (AvCo), a programme seeking to improve public transportation using advanced technologies.
Aside from EasyMile, other partners include Stantec GenerationAV, Panasonic, the Colorado Smart Cities Alliance and the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Tyler Svitak, executive director of the Colorado Smart Cities Alliance, says: “When people think of autonomous vehicles today, they see themselves riding alone - separated from other people and the overall transportation system. We want AvCo to change that perception by allowing people to experience how these technologies can maximise individual and societal benefits through integration with a shared public transit system.”
“AvCo is a historic step forward for many important industries, including connected and autonomous vehicles, public transportation and smart cities,” Svitak continues.
“What we learn here will help accelerate safer, cleaner, more accessible mobility for all.”
AvCo's second phase in Greenwood Village and third phase in Colorado Springs will launch over the course of the next year to demonstrate the shuttles’ ability to operate in different environments.
