Autonomous vehicle software company Oxa has deployed its Oxa Driver product in passenger shuttles in Jacksonville, Florida.
Operated by US shuttle service provider Beep in collaboration with the Jacksonville Transport Authority (JTA) and the Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ), these autonomous shuttles represent a significant investment in downtown Jacksonville’s transportation infrastructure.
The programme is part of an AV initiative licensed by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reflecting the city’s commitment to embracing cutting-edge technology in urban mobility.
CEO of JTA Nat Ford said: “This initiative is a testament to years of hard work and collaboration between the private and public sectors.
“We are eager for the FSCJ campus and the wider Jacksonville community to experience these AVs first-hand and witness the benefits they bring.”
Oxa Driver enables vehicle automation independent of human control, with trained safety attendants onboard the FSCJ route to instil confidence among passengers as they familiarise themselves with the self-driving experience. Following the Jacksonville launch, Oxa plans to roll out Oxa Driver in seven additional cities across the US and UK in 2024.
Gavin Jackson, CEO of Oxa, said: “The AV technology won’t be commercially viable in cars or taxis for a decade, therefore, attention should shift to mass movement of people and goods, areas where autonomy can deliver significant benefits now.”
Beep’s CEO, Joe Moye, also highlighted the success of the initial deployment in Jacksonville and outlined plans for expansion to six additional sites in 2024.
The scope of autonomous shuttle deployments extends from downtown revitalisation projects to well-established communities like Lake Nona in Orlando, Florida, known for its commitment to innovation and cutting-edge technology.
With the launch, Oxa seemingly becomes the first and only British company to export deployment-ready self-driving vehicle software globally. Oxa Driver represents the culmination of a decade of innovation, software engineering, and rigorous testing, embodying the vision of Oxa’s founder and chief technology officer, Professor Paul Newman CBE.
Professor Newman said: “When science meets purpose, and it adds up financially, you have a powerful reason to go faster and further. That’s exactly what we’ll do now.”
