Detroit residents can look forward to a new era of commuting as the city unveils “The Connect” autonomous vehicle (AV) shuttle service, set to welcome the public on Tuesday, August 13. In collaboration with several partners, the City of Detroit is launching this pilot program to evolve transportation in the city to be more sustainable and convenient.

Initially, while the shuttles will possess autonomous capabilities, they will be manually operated. This phase is meant to allow for adjustments and assessments to ensure that the service fits perfectly with the rhythms of Detroit's city life, as stated by the City of Detroit. The Connect seeks to eventually operate fully autonomously, with a safety operator in place throughout the pilot's tenure to ensure public safety and smooth operations.

The service, highlighting sustainability, will feature four all-electric Ford E-Transit shuttles, accessible to wheelchair users and free for all who board. The Connect will run from 7 AM to 7 PM, Monday to Friday, with a shuttle arriving every 10 to 15 minutes during peak times. Keeping in step with modern tech, passengers will have the ability to track these shuttles in real time through a web-based platform, Liftango, accessible from both mobile devices and desktops.

As for the project's backing, Michigan Central, Bedrock, and the State of Michigan’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) have collectively poured $1.5 million into the first year of funding. To expand and enhance the service, the City of Detroit has also managed to secure an extra $1.67 million from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), which will aid in adding a fifth shuttle to the fleet and extending the pilot by an additional year.