On August 5, NAVYA, a French company specializing in the design and construction of autonomous, electric and robotic vehicles, announced a new partnership in the United States with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), AECOM and the City of White Bear Lake, for the deployment of a Navya Autonom® Arma shuttle.

Founded in 2014, Navya is a French leader specializing in the provision of autonomous mobility systems and related services. With 280 employees in France (Paris and Lyon), the United States (Michigan) and Singapore, the company’s ambition is to become the benchmark player in Level 4 autonomous mobility systems for passenger and goods transportation.

As early as 2015, Navya put autonomous mobility solutions into service. The Autonom Shuttle, its main development focus, is dedicated to passenger transportation. Since its launch, more than 200 units had been marketed in 25 countries by December 31, 2021. In 2017, Navya unveiled Autonom Cab, a 100% electric cab based on AI, and later the Autonom Tract, which is designed to transport goods. Committed to an ambitious CSR approach, it has obtained ISO 9001 certification in September 2021. The Valeo and Keolis groups are among its historical shareholders.

The project partners

AECOM, an infrastructure consulting firm, will be the prime contractor for Bear Tracks, the name given to the shuttle, MnDOT, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, will provide funding for the project and Newtrax Transportation will provide the operators who will be trained by Navya.

This project fits into MnDOT’s Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAV) strategic plan, supporting increased mobility for people with disabilities, better travel options for senior communities and increased public awareness of automated vehicle technologies, among other things.

In fact, Nancy Daubenberger, Commissioner of MnDOT, stated:

“At MnDOT, we value opportunities to work with local communities and companies like Navya, Inc. to strengthen partnerships. The Bear Tracks autonomous shuttles provide safe transportation options for White Bear Lake community members, especially some of our most vulnerable residents. The demonstration project also provides invaluable information that can advance Minnesota’s goal of safe and equitable transportation for all in our state.”

Other partners include Ramsey County, Newtrax, White Bear Lake area schools, the Minnesota State Transportation Center, and the White Bear Area Chamber of Commerce

An academic partnership with White Bear Lake High School and the University of Minnesota has also been established to provide students with initial experience with connected and automated vehicles as well as job development assistance.

NAVYA Autonomous Shuttle Pilot Project in White Bear Lake

White Bear Lake is located about 20 miles north of the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport and has a population of about 25,000.

This one-year pilot project will provide an alternative mode of transportation. The shuttle will serve a 1.5-mile route connecting several residential facilities to the Youth Center (YMCA), PAI, The Boulders and Willow Wood Apartments. Community members and partners named the shuttle “Bear Tracks” because it provides service to an area that previously had no shared transportation solution.

The 100% electric Navya Arma autonomous shuttle is equipped with numerous sensors such as 2D and 3D Lidars, GPS and odometry to determine its location on the route, detect and avoid any obstacle, pedestrian or vehicle. Being totally autonomous, it has neither steering wheel nor pedal but a security operator will be present, being able to intervene manually and bring a service to the passengers. In addition, it is equipped with a mobility ramp that meets the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (DCA).

It will run Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and access will be free for the public.

The Mayor of White Bear Lake states:

“We are really excited to expose our community to autonomous vehicle technology and demonstrate how they can fit into a typical small urban community. We believe that autonomous vehicles can be the future of mobility for those who need it, and we plan to demonstrate the effectiveness of these technologies with this project. We hope that all WBL residents who have never experienced autonomous driving technology come to learn about this new safe and sustainable transportation option.”

Translated from Lancement d’un projet pilote de navette autonome Navya au Minnesota