Autonomous Shuttles Are Popping up Across America in Time for the World Cup

Newsweek

3 days ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
While the world waits for autonomous cars to become a reality, autonomous shuttles are popping up in towns across America, moving people around college campuses, downtowns and shopping locations. And soon, the crowds gathering to watch World Cup soccer will be able to experience them as well.
Four autonomous shuttles will be deployed on a two-mile loop adjacent to the Atlanta Beltline, a 22-mile network of public parks, multi-use trails, transit and affordable housing, during the competition. Beep, a transportation solutions company, will be providing the shuttles for the program.
The shuttles won't just be in town just for the World Cup. A 12-month, $3 million pilot program, funded by the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority and Georgia's Transit Trust Fund, will kick off in January 2026.
"Atlanta will host eight FIFA World Cup matches in 2026, and Atlanta Beltline Inc. (ABI) identified an opportunity for the demand for reliable transportation connecting to the Westside Trail will spike. The two-mile loop ABI planned will link MARTA's West End rail station, the Atlanta University Center campuses and the Lee + White entertainment district – a portion of the Beltline that is currently underserved when it comes to reliable and easy-to-use transportation," Beep CEO Joe Moye said.
Beep shuttle navigating a parking lot.
Beep shuttle navigating a parking lot.
Beep
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is the main public transport operator in the region.
The one-year trial is designed to give ABI time to gather performance data and community feedback through the World Cup and the months that follow. The shuttles will run at 15-minute intervals for 10 hours per day. Each vehicle can transport 10 passengers, with an onboard attendant present.
Atlanta has long been noted for heavy passenger vehicle traffic and notoriously has a train line system that does not connect passengers to destinations as effectively as other major cities' transit does. A bus system has helped to bridge that gap, but the much-touted Atlanta Streetcar, which runs in a 2.7-mile loop through downtown, has been criticized for being more for tourists than locals.
For the effort to succeed, the public will need to be educated to understand the operational aspects, safety and routes of the Beep project. "ABI will run a community engagement process before service begins, and Beep will partner with them on rider outreach materials to familiarize the public with our plans. Items like on-site street way-finding signs and campaign creative are being developed now, and residents will start learning about the initiative soon through these educational materials," Moye said.
MARTA and ABI plan to have MARTA move fans across Atlanta during the World Cup, with the autonomous vehicles (AVs) handling the last-mile transportation.
"Because the vehicles run in regular traffic lanes and don't require a new track or dedicated AV lane, the city can stand them up quickly and at a significantly lower capital cost, which was a key factor that Beltline engineers identified when they selected Beep for this initiative. Furthermore, autonomous vehicles leverage comprehensive data to promote safety and reliable service, extending to areas where mass transit is not currently able to serve with high frequency," Moye said.
Driverless Shuttles Are Already in the Atlanta Area
The City of Peachtree Corners, Georgia, sits just 14 miles from the Beltline. Brian Johnson, the city manager of Peachtree Corners, told Newsweek that their shuttle program launched in September 2024. Peachtree Corners opted for May Mobility autonomous shuttles that have a safety "driver" aboard for the program.
"Over the past ten months, May Mobility has leveraged Curiosity Lab's real-world smart city environment in Peachtree Corners to refine its operations, culminating in the company's third driver-out deployment and its first commercial driverless operation in the U.S.," Johnson shared.
"Our city offers a dedicated autonomous vehicle roadway and connected infrastructure, giving autonomous vehicle developers a unique testbed while providing residents with a safe, accessible transportation option. Looking ahead, we plan to expand autonomous transit services into additional areas of the city as part of our continued commitment to deploying innovative, future-ready technology," he said.
Though riders and residents initially approached the shuttles with "curiosity and caution," Johnson said that the daily visibility of seeing them on the street and easy access to the May Mobility app has "turned curiosity into confidence."
"Today, the eight-stop loop along Technology Parkway has become a reliable option for residents and visitors traveling between local businesses and hotels. Autonomous vehicles are now a familiar—and welcome—part of life in Peachtree Corners," he said.
Peachtree Corners' use case for shuttles differs from that of many cities. "We don't purchase the vehicles. Instead, our primary investment has been in the creation of an open, real-world testing environment for mobility innovation. This includes dedicated AV lanes, connected intersections, and a regulatory process that supports safe and efficient deployment. By creating this low-cost, low-barrier innovation zone, we enable startups like May Mobility to scale quickly while offering residents added transit options at little cost to taxpayers," the city manager said.
Johnson offers up this advice to any city looking to invest in an autonomous shuttle program: "Collaboration is key. Peachtree Corners demonstrates how effective partnerships between local government and private industry can accelerate innovation. By streamlining deployment processes and offering access to real-world infrastructure, cities can create environments where companies feel empowered to test and iterate their technologies.
"It's also essential that autonomous vehicle deployments address actual community needs. A successful rollout depends on finding partners who understand those needs and are committed to safety, accessibility, and ongoing refinement. When cities design smart mobility programs with both residents and innovators in mind, the pace of meaningful, scalable progress is remarkable."
AI-Enabled Public Transportation Arrives in Florida
While the Peachtree Corners shuttles have been running for years, the City of West Palm Beach, Florida, just launched its autonomous shuttle program, joining about 40 other cities in the U.S. Guident, the company behind much of the technology the shuttles use, told Newsweek that 95 percent of the riders in the city have rated their overall experience with the driverless shuttles as excellent.
The MiCa shuttles by Auve Tech utilize Guident's remote monitor and control software layer to operate without a driver. These shuttles are designed for low-speed, short-distance transportation, operate on public roads and can navigate through mixed traffic situations using a combination of lidar, radar, cameras and artificial intelligence-based software in a fashion similar to the equipment and technology that is present in advanced driver assistance systems in passenger cars.
"A helpful parallel is to think of MiCa as a flexible, street-level tram or light rail without tracks. MiCa follows a fixed route with designated stops, often in a loop. However, unlike trams or light rail systems, MiCa doesn't require dedicated infrastructure. It operates on regular roads and can be easily rerouted if needed. This makes it more adaptable and cost-effective while still offering a predictable, scheduled service familiar to public transit users," Harald J. Braun, executive chairman and CEO of Guident, told Newsweek.
Along with using AI to help the shuttles navigate a preset route, "AI is utilized within the vehicle and at Guident's Remote Monitor and Control Center (RMCC). While the vehicle operates autonomously, AI aids it in recognizing the environment and making safe decisions. Concurrently, the RMCC employs AI to monitor the shuttle remotely, detect issues early, and assist the vehicle when it requires help, such as in unusual or complex situations. AI also contributes to analyzing data from past trips to continually enhance performance and safety," Braun said.
The use of autonomous shuttles extends beyond U.S. borders. Nineteen MiCa shuttles are in daily operation in Japan, and others have been deployed in cities including Tallinn (Estonia), Tampere (Finland), Gdańsk (Poland), Lamia (Greece), Helmond (Netherlands), and Masdar City (Abu Dhabi).
The cost of bringing a MiCa shuttle to service varies according to route characteristics, operating hours and service model, Braun explained. "In the U.S., MiCa is offered as a Shuttle-as-a-Service, meaning the vehicles are not sold outright. Instead, cities and organizations subscribe to a full-service model that includes the vehicle, software, maintenance, and remote support," he said.
After cities receive delivery, the shuttles can be continually kept fresh via over-the-air software update technology. "Updates are managed by the manufacturer (Auve Tech) and, when integrated with Guident's RMCC [Remote Monitor and Control Center], can also include monitor and remote support systems updates," Braun said, adding that updates usually occur every few months based on need, which may include new feature additions, safety improvements or regulatory changes. "Critical updates can be implemented swiftly to ensure safe and reliable operation," he added.
Like electric cars, the shuttles require little regular maintenance. "Trained local technicians repair the shuttles. Since they are electric vehicles, most maintenance involves standard automotive parts like tires, brakes, doors, and specialized components like sensors and computers," Braun said.
"Most maintenance activities are performed by mobile service teams, with oversight from the manufacturer, Auve Tech. Guident also verifies these services to ensure safety and quality standards are met."