By Jim Carchidi
Transit innovations are on display at the Florida Automated Vehicle (FAV) Summit, November 5-7, at Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. Hosted this year by CFX, the annual event assembles innovators, businesses, and legislators working to implement new autonomous and connected vehicle technologies.
Among the prototype demos is a new minibus that will be deployed for the free CraneRides shuttle service in Altamonte Springs.
Driving change
FAV Summit was founded in 2017 by Florida Senator Jeff Brandes, who helped shape autonomous vehicle policies while he served the 24th district from 2016 to 2022. He points to global megatrends, such as the shared economy and electric energy alternatives, as forces driving the transportation industry toward automation.
"As the world is more shared, it makes sense that it becomes more electric and automated,” he told The Orlando Real, adding that new technologies are allowing vehicles to integrate more seamlessly into day-to-day life. “These vehicles have to operate within existing infrastructure, so they’re basically building a digital map on top of a city’s infrastructure for their navigation."
As with any industry event, FAV Summit features guest speakers and networking opportunities, but ride-along experiences are available at a demonstration zone.
CraneRides upgrade
Damera Corp's eJEST will replace the current vehicles used for the Altamonte Springs CraneRides service. Photos by Jim Carchidi
Damera Corp. exhibited its autonomous eJEST mini bus: a fully certified production vehicle with low-floor accessibility for fixed-route connections. The 12-passenger vehicle currently reaches a speed of 25 mph, but a projected 2026 upgrade will increase potential speeds to 35 mph. While the system is autonomous, safety standards require a human “driver” for unexpected events. However, there is a 12-month goal for a fully driverless operation.
The eJEST can accommodate 12 passengers and its low profile and spacious interior help make it an ADA compliant design.
Among Damera’s partner companies is Beep, Inc., which operates the Altamonte Springs CraneRides shuttle service. A total of four eJEST vehicles are scheduled to replace the current CraneRides buses beginning in early 2026. Working with an advanced sensor suite in its automated driving software by technology partner, ADASTEC Corp., the system provides safety and dependability in various traffic and weather conditions.
CraneRides began in 2023 as the first permanent AV program deployed by a U.S. city. The initial service linked stops between Crane's Roost Park and Altamonte Mall, then expanded this year to include AdventHealth Altamonte Springs. A 2026 expansion will directly link to the Altamonte Springs SunRail station.
“Altamonte Springs was proud to be the first city in America to launch a permanent autonomous vehicle program of this kind,” said Altamonte Springs City Manager Frank Martz in a prepared statement. “Now, we are building on that momentum and expanding our vision."
Attractions-worthy transit
Glydways transit systems will debut its first route next year in Atlanta.
Other demos included San Francisco-based Glydways, which displayed its point-to-point driverless bus that will debut next year in Atlanta as a link between the Georgia International Convention Center, ATL SkyTrain, and Gateway Arena. The prototype features a digital pad that reads pre-programmed stops from a smartphone app.
The Glydways bus can seat between four and six passengers and pre-programmed stops are read from a smartphone app.
Glydways business development rep Joni Goh told The Orlando Real the system can operate on streets or as a below-ground transit option. “It accommodates flexible infrastructure, depending on what the city wants.”
She said Glydways is also focusing on resort uses and has submitted a bid to Universal Orlando Resort for consideration as an automated link between its hotels and parks. Universal Orlando did not respond to a request for comment.
Smart school busses
Sensors that make up the 4D Smart Radar system are mounted above and below school bus seats to detect passengers, and on the vehicle's exterior to detect possible dangers.
Safety innovations are vital and the 4D system by Smart Radar will improve safety inside and outside school buses.
The system uses radar sensors mounted on the exterior and undercarriage of the bus to build a 360-degree zone to detect movement during student pick-up and drop-off. Bus drivers are alerted to movement and potential dangers via lights and sound alarms. The interior is also equipped with sensors that can recognize passengers by detecting vital signs like heartbeats. The system performs a sweep after the engine is turned off, eliminating the risk of overlooking children left onboard.
Osceola County Public Schools is among the partners that will be utilizing the Smart Radar system. A total of 10 new Osceola school buses will be rolled out with the technology starting next year.
For more information on the summit and statewide efforts to foster success in the AV industry, log onto FAVsummit.com.
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