COLUMBUS – Ohio’s first self-driving electric shuttles make their debut in downtown Columbus Monday.
The low-speed Smart Circuit vehicles – they do not exceed 25 mph –operated by Smart Columbus and DriveOhio will try to attract riders and attention by offering free rides along their 1.5-mile route around Columbus’ Scioto Mile.
Three shuttles, which will pull up at each of four stops approximately every 10 minutes, will operate from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week.
Smart Columbus, DriveOhio and OSU will use the demonstration to learn before expanding the self-driving vehicle services to at least one more route planned for a Columbus neighborhood, funded by a U.S. Department of Transportation Smart City Challenge grant.
The shuttles feature a four-seat “campfire” configuration in the rear and a 49-inch digital display that provides system and route information.
A human operator rides aboard each vehicle with access to driving controls at all times.
Michigan-based startup May Mobility operates the shuttles and employs its fleet attendants.