The Intel Corp. unit Mobileye plans to build and deploy self-driving electric shuttles with it’s partners in the United States by 2024, as well as make self-driving vehicles available for consumers.
In addition to the driverless shuttles, Mobileye, Benteler EV Systems, and Beep will introduce the on-demand shuttles without a steering wheel or pedal, featuring 12 to 14 seats.
The company is planning on expanding automated driving beyond taxis and delivery trucks, Reuters reports.
According to Hinrich Woebcken, advisory board member for Beep, who provides mobility services, the vehicles will operate within geofenced areas where speed limits are 35 mph or less.
Upon receiving regulatory approval, Mobileye plans to deploy robotaxis in Germany and Israel by the end of the year.
The company also plans to deploy automatic electric delivery vehicles in the United States by 2023, in partnership with Silicon Valley startup Udelv.
Johann Jungwirth, Mobileye’s vice president of Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS), said the company will prove to U.S. federal and state regulators that its self-driving systems are safer than human drivers.
The technology is actually close to being ready by now,’ he said. “We’re very strongly and very bullish on that front,” he added.
By utilizing shuttles, the executives said they would be able to reduce costs, address driver shortages, and address urban issues such as traffic congestion and emissions.
We see this market for autonomous shuttles and autonomous movers has interesting opportunities to grow. Managing director of Benteler EV Systems GmbH, Marco Kollmeier, we see it as a blue ocean.
The shuttles will be built by Benteler EV Systems, a division of Benteler International AG, which builds vehicles that meet automotive standards and meet public safety regulations.
