Visitors to Mcity will find a new self-guided, 15-passenger tour bus showing off the latest developments at the showcase for connected and automated vehicles at the University of Michigan.
The bus is one of those developments: It represents the first ARMA vehicle to operate in the U.S.
Its manufacturer, French firm NAVYA, introduced the vehicle at the facility in Ann Arbor on Friday, while also joining U-M in announcing their collaboration.
NAVYA is becoming an affiliate member of the Mobility Transformation Center, which runs Mcity at U-M's North Campus Research Center.
"The ARMA at Mcity supports the university's interrelated missions of research and education," said S. Jack Hu, U-M vice president for research, in a news release. "It also underscores the importance of international collaboration as we work with companies from around the world to help society realize the substantial benefits in safety and sustainability promised by connected and automated vehicles."
The state of Michigan took a separate step toward the advancement of automated vehicles on Friday when Gov. Rick Snyder signed Senate Bill 995 in Dearborn. The bill allows operation of autonomous vehicles on Michigan roads, instead of just testing.
The legislation also creates the Michigan Council on Future Mobility within the Michigan Department of Transportation to make future recommendations on statewide policy recommendations on regulatory issues that could impede new development.
Michigan is just one state in a race to establish itself as a cornerstone to autonomous vehicle innovation and development. It branded itself Planet M in June, when Snyder and other state leaders said they were prioritizing the retention of automotive innovation in Michigan even as the industry stood on the edge of change.
One study released in early 2016 said that the sales of connected vehicle technology could triple to $137 billion by 2021.
The ARMA shuttle at U-M will provide fully automated, self-guided tours of Mcity and support research,including through TechLab at Mcity, the university's incubator for mobility startups. Students will be able to work with it, and MTC and NAVYA will also explore potential joint research opportunities.
Using the ARMA for automated, self-guided tours at Mcity will help to educate visitors about the potential of autonomous vehicle technology, said MTC Deputy Director Carrie Morton in a news release. It will particularly aid in studying how automated vehicles could help people connect to mass transit easily.
NAVYA raised $34 million in funding this fall to build out its team, technology and sales, according to reports about the company. The funding is coming from two strategic backers, public transportation provider Keolis and automotive parts group Valeo, reported TechCrunch.com. Reports estimate NAVYA's value at $222 million.
Meanwhile, its competitors in autonomous shuttle buses include IBM and its Olli, produced in part with 3D printers in Arizona, and the Mercedes-Benz Future Bus.