In context
In mid-2024, autonomous vehicle developers were increasingly focusing on niche, high-impact use cases such as paratransit and accessible mobility, moving beyond broad robotaxi rollouts. This pilot reflects a trend toward public-private partnerships to serve underserved communities and gather real-world data in dense urban environments.
What was reported
May Mobility launched its Detroit Automated Driving Systems (ADS) pilot, branded “Accessibili-D,” in partnership with the City of Detroit’s Office of Mobility Innovation and the Michigan Mobility Collaborative. The service is free for select residents with disabilities or aged 62 and older, running from June 20, 2024 through 2026.
Three AVs, including two wheelchair-accessible vehicles, will serve 68 stops across 11 square miles of downtown Detroit. Operating hours are Monday and Wednesday through Friday from 8 am to 6 pm, and weekends from 8 am to 1 pm. Riders can book via the Accessibili-D app powered by Via, or by phone.
May Mobility’s vehicles use Multi-Policy Decision Making (MPDM) technology, which simulates thousands of scenarios per second using data from lidar, radar, and cameras. Prior to launch, the company conducted extensive testing with the University of Michigan’s Mcity and the American Center for Mobility, including safety assessment programs.
The pilot is May Mobility’s 14th deployment, with existing operations in Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Miami, Arlington, and Sun City. The service was approved by the Detroit City Council last July under a $2.4 million contract.
Why it mattered
This deployment demonstrates how AV technology can be tailored to address specific mobility gaps for aging and disabled populations, potentially serving as a model for other cities seeking inclusive, on-demand transit solutions. It also highlights the importance of community outreach and iterative service expansion based on rider feedback.
“We’re excited to show how autonomous technology can help in Detroit, where we will be launching our largest service area to date.”
Source: Robotics & Automation News (roboticsandautomationnews.com) · Published 2024-06-19 · “May Mobility launches Detroit autonomous vehicle pilot”