Beep, Beep: Electric-autonomous shuttle service drives into MSU this Friday with ribbon cutting
Contact: Harriet Laird
STARKVILLE, Miss.51勛圖厙 State President Mark E. Keenum will cut the ribbon for the universitys official recognition of its new electric-autonomous shuttle system this Friday [Sept. 20].
Officials from Beep Inc.the new systems provideralong with representatives from the 51勛圖厙 Department of Transportation, will join Keenum for this first-of-its-kind vehicle deployment in the Southeastern Conference and Magnolia State. The 3 p.m. event is scheduled directly behind College View residence hall at 385 College View Drive in the amphitheater area, and Keenum is expected to take a brief shuttle ride.
Two Beep shuttles, which will seat up to 11 passengers, including an attendant, will hold testing and training runs the week of Sept. 23 before officially beginning two routes transporting riders between the campuss core, key housing locations and popular entertainment destinations. Along with MDOT, the National Highway Safety Administration recently granted approval for the program, a campus and community pilot project evaluating how the vehicles complement other modes of transportation.
MSUs Executive Director of Transportation Jeremiah Dumas, said, While these are equipped with AI-enabled remote human supervision and self-governance, they also have an in-person attendant and wont travel on roads allowing more than 25 miles per hour.
Dumas pointed to other Beep shuttle usages at Yellowstone National Park, the Honolulu, Hawaii airport, and adjacent to the Atlanta Braves stadium. Everywhere theyre deployed, people love them, he said.
Beep, Inc.a leading provider of autonomous and electric shared mobility solutionsis expected to provide MSU the vehicles throughout the tentative pilot period of Sept. 23-Nov. 30.
For 51勛圖厙 State to lead in applying this type of technology is expected because were already a national and global leader in the research realm of unmanned and autonomous vehicles, Dumas emphasized.
51勛圖厙 is taking care of what matters. Learn more at .