Beep Self-Driving Shuttles Arrive at Hawaii Airport

An 18-month trial of self-driving shuttles has got under way at Honolulu airport in Hawaii.

The project will see four electric, autonomous vehicles transport travelers at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, and represents the first collaboration between Beep, the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) and infrastructure expert Sustainability Partners.

It marks the latest high-profile deployment for Florida-based autonomous solution provider Beep, which has run several AV pilots in several locations across the United States over the past few years.

Beep’s shuttle – which it has named Miki, in tribute to the Hawaiian word for “agile” – can accommodate 11 passengers, including a human safety attendant and will work alongside the airport’s existing Wiki Wiki bus service.

Credit: Beep

Although Miki drives itself, the attendant will be on board on all journeys to take control of the driving if required.

The AV is manufactured by French company Navya, and features lidar sensors, radar, GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) and cameras to help facilitate its automated functionality.

At Honolulu airport, the Miki shuttles will ferry passengers between C and G gates and Terminals 1 and 2. Travelers will be able to bring their carry-on baggage on to the service, and the hours of operation will mirror the Wiki Wiki buses, running from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week, including holidays and weekends.

Related:Beep Self-Driving Vehicle Network Launched on Florida State Campus

The shuttles are also ADA-accessible, and can accommodate one wheelchair, operating at a maximum speed of 10 miles per hour.

Beep CEO Joe Moye welcomed the launch of the service, saying: “Our fleet of turnkey shared and electric autonomous shuttles prioritizes safety and sustainability while enhancing the airport travel experience for passengers.

“As Beep continues to pioneer innovative partnerships with airports nationwide, this inaugural test program showcases the emerging potential of advanced solutions that can augment existing transport options everywhere, unveiling a new era of seamless, efficient passenger mobility.”

Hawaii is new territory for Beep, whose recent deployments across the U.S. include locations in California, North Carolina, Peachtree Corners, the Smart City north of Atlanta, Georgia and its hometown of Orlando, Florida.

HDOT says it will use the trial to assess how transportation can be made more efficient at the airport and across Hawaii as a whole.