LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — The SpartanXpress, an autonomous electric bus servicing Michigan State University’s campus, is now ready for passengers, the university announced Friday.
The bus services a loop around campus, stopping at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts and Anthony Hall.
The bus is equipped with technology to monitor its path, a global navigation satellite system, and systems to alert the bus and its safety driver of road conditions during weather events, among other advanced systems.
“What we are doing with Michigan State University is more than deploying an automated bus,” said Ali Peter, CEO of software company ADASTEC, who cooperated with the university to deploy the bus. “This bus is a living laboratory that proves advanced technology can safely operate on open public roads, through every season, while delivering real value to students, researchers and the wider community.”
The bus is not just transportation, but an opportunity for the university and its students to study automated transport and transit systems for the university. Those involved with eth project say research done on MSU campus during severe weather has led to advancements in Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands.
“Having this bus on campus will have a strong impact on our mobility research as we gain access to loads of real-life testing data and give our students a unique opportunity they may not get elsewhere,” said Judd Herzer, director of MSU Mobility and Innovation…