Skip to main content

CES 2023: Beep, beep! It's ZF's AV

Driverless shuttle deployed in US to create 'single-source autonomous mobility solution'
By Adam Hill January 5, 2023 Read time: 2 mins
The new, autonomous Level 4 vehicle is designed to operate in mixed traffic (image: ZF)

ZF and shared mobility provider Beep are to bring a new, autonomous Level 4 shuttle to the US market.

Premiered at CES 2023 in Las Vegas, ZF's next-generation shuttle builds on its established model, which is primarily designed for use in segregated lanes.

The new model is designed for urban environments and in mixed traffic.

The agreement aims to deliver several thousand shuttles to customers over the coming years, combining ZF’s vehicle with Beep’s mobility services and service management platform "into a single-source autonomous mobility solution".

"In order to reduce traffic-related emissions in metropolitan areas, a reduction in motorised individual transport and a simultaneous expansion of more sustainable, efficient, comfortable, and affordable mobility options are required," says Torsten Gollewski, executive vice president, Autonomous Mobility Systems at ZF.

The new shuttle is equipped with Lidar, radar, camera and audio systems as well as the ZF ProConnect connectivity platform, which enables communication with infrastructure and the cloud.

The Virtual Driver – ZF's AD software – processes information and, ZF explains, "derives safe driving strategies using artificial intelligence, and passes them on as input to the on-board actuators".

Battery capacities are between 50 and 100 kWh, and the next-generation shuttle can cover up to 80 miles in pure electric mode – at a maximum speed of initially 25mph.

It can carry 22 passengers, with up to 15 seated. The vehicle conforms to requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and includes an automatic ramp and wheelchair restraints.

With front- and rear-wheel steer and kneeling functions, distance to the sidewalk is reduced to a minimum when approaching a stop, ZF insists: "This enables the shuttle to dock precisely and provide barrier-free boarding and disembarking."

Beep CEO Joe Moye says: "This shuttle will allow us to continue to pursue our vision of extending mobility equity and reducing carbon emissions, expanding our use cases while meeting industrial requirements for vehicle service life, performance and safety.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Atkins named lead designer for major freeway project in Nevada
    December 14, 2015
    Atkins North America is to play a key role in the development of a freeway that aims to boost safety, mobility and accessibility in Las Vegas. Considered the most important and ambitious project in Nevada Department of Transportation's (NDOT) history, it also accommodates regional economic redevelopment through improved access to downtown Las Vegas and the Resort Corridor. As design lead on the team led by Kiewit Infrastructure West, Atkins will manage all design and engineering services for NDOT’s Pr
  • Cruise & GM seek NHTSA approval 
    March 1, 2022
    Companies want permission to put Cruise Origin driverless car into commercial service
  • Governments must develop regulations to ensure AV safety, experts warn
    January 9, 2019
    Governments are “lagging behind” in developing regulations to ensure the safety of autonomous vehicles (AVs). This was among the main messages from a key session at this week’s Consumer Electronics Event 2019 event in Las Vegas, US. Speaking during ‘Mobility and Connectivity Perspectives from the C-suite’, Joe Vitale, global automotive leader at Deloitte, said the company’s yearly consumer study has shown that more people feel getting into an AV is unsafe, which is in part due to the deaths caused b
  • ITS Australia Global Summit 2023: super-sized
    December 2, 2022
    Four-day Global Summit will be held on 28-31 August, 2023 in Melbourne: accelerating smarter, safer, sustainable transport is focus of next year's expanded event for whole ITS community