KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — An autonomous shuttle is now cruising around Western Michigan University’s campus.
At a kickoff event on Monday university officials unveiled the small shuttle which is meant to help disabled students easily get around campus.
Among those in attendance was Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist who took a ride in the new vehicle.
The $2.1 million dollar project comes through the $8 million dollar Michigan Mobility Challenge and was administered by the Michigan Department of Transportation and PlanetM, the mobility initiative of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
The shuttle is equipped with sensors to detect pedestrians and an operator will still be inside the vehicle during the pilot program, which is said to last for the next two weeks.
“WMU is committed to serving our students and society. This project is an excellent example of that; applying the knowledge of our world-class faculty and students to develop and test cutting-edge transportation and technology,” says WMU President Edward Montgomery.
(copy written by Will Kriss)
