A novel mode of transportation is set to transform downtown Orlando, Florida, by introducing a self-driving electric shuttle that navigates a 1-mile loop in the city's heart.  

(Photo : KERRY SHERIDAN/AFP via Getty Images)
An electric shuttle is plugged in at southwest Floridas Babcock Ranch, as the new sustainable community contains a solar farm big enough to offset the power used by 20,000 homes on March 10, 2017 in Punta Gorda,Florida.

SWAN Shuttle Bus

This autonomous shuttle initiative, known as SWAN Shuttle (Shuttling With Autonomous Navigation), is a collaborative effort between the City of Orlando, the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX), and Beep Inc., a local provider of autonomous shared mobility solutions. 

The project aims to gather valuable data during its six-month trial to shape the city's future transportation strategy.

The SWAN Shuttle pilot program is designed to bring together cutting-edge technology and mobility solutions, demonstrating the city's commitment to embracing creative and forward-thinking approaches to urban mobility. 

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer noted that expanding autonomous vehicle shuttles aligns with the city's vision to foster connectivity and redefine community movement. 

"With the expansion of autonomous vehicle shuttles into our neighborhoods, we can converge cutting-edge technology with new mobility solutions to further redefine the way our community moves. The SWAN Shuttle builds on our diverse network of mobility options and furthers our commitment to our residents, our environment and our future," Dyer said in a statement.

Starting from August 20, residents, visitors, and businesses in Creative Village will have access to the fare-free SWAN Shuttle service seven days a week. The shuttle's approximately one-mile route will link several key destinations, including LYNX Central Station, SunRail, UCF/Valencia Downtown, Luminary Green Park, Electronic Arts (EA), and Parramore.

Operating within the existing bus lane designated for the LYMMO Orange Line, the shuttles will provide transportation from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

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Understanding the Benefits of Autonomous Tech

LYNX CEO Tiffany Homler Hawkins highlighted the partnership as an opportunity to test and understand the benefits of autonomous technology in a real-world setting, ultimately serving the community's needs in the long term. 

A significant contributor to the SWAN Shuttle initiative is Beep, a company headquartered in Orlando with expertise in the deployment and testing of autonomous shuttles. 

Beep boasts a track record of effectively deploying autonomous shuttles in diverse communities, including Lake Nona in Orlando, where the nation's most extensive and enduring autonomous shuttle network operates. The company's central control hub in Lake Nona will supervise the SWAN Shuttle pilot alongside its numerous projects across the United States.

"Our partnership with the City of Orlando and LYNX provides the collaboration necessary to ensure autonomous vehicles are tested safely so that we can incorporate community feedback and prepare for the coming era of autonomous electric transportation, which will improve road safety, decrease carbon emissions and extend mobility to everyone," Beep CEO Joe Moye said in a statement.

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