Vicinity Motor Corp. (Vicinity) has entered into an agreement to deploy an SAE level-4 automated electric bus, the Vicinity Autonomous Lightning EV, at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, in conjunction with automated driving software platform provider ADASTEC Corporation.
The vehicle deployment will take place at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus in mid-2024, showcasing Vicinity's next-generation electric transit bus outfitted with ADASTEC's cutting edge automated transportation technology. The deployment is part of the Buffalo All Access: In and Around BNMC Project, a new initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) under the ITS4US program.
Adel W. Sadek, Ph.D., professor in the department of civil engineering at the University at Buffalo, is the lead of the UB team overseeing the development of the Self-Driving Automated Bus component of the ITS4US Buffalo All Access project. The professor emphasized the transformative nature of the partnership.
"We are very excited to be working with ADASTEC and Vicinity Motor Corp. on what we view as a truly transformative project that aims to improve mobility for all ages and abilities in our region," Sadek said. "The electric, self-driving automated bus that ADASTEC proposed to deploy in Buffalo includes an onboard attendant and other features to enhance accessibility and overall trip experience for travelers with disabilities. In addition, ADASTEC's prior experience with operating self-driving automated buses in Michigan and Norway gives us confidence that their vehicle will be better equipped to handle Buffalo's harsh winter conditions."
"Winning the ITS4US Project at the University at Buffalo will bring us closer to our goal of deploying accessible, modern, and clean transportation to underserved communities. We believe this project, in partnership with Vicinity, will serve as a scalable example throughout the nation," said Dr. Ali, CEO of ADASTEC.
ADASTEC's proprietary software platform, flowride.ai, will serve as the technological backbone of the automated bus solution. The platform integrates advanced sensor technology and artificial intelligence to enable automated transportation to navigate safely and efficiently through urban environments. The vehicles will operate within a smart mobility ecosystem, utilizing the most advanced technologies, such as vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication.
"Our ADASTEC partnership has allowed us to accomplish exciting new applications for our all-electric Vicinity Lightning bus, powering the next-generation public transportation system of forward-looking universities and towns nationally," said William Trainer, founder and CEO of Vicinity. "We are grateful to ADASTEC and the University of Buffalo for their confidence in our product offering and commitment to deploy this exciting new automated public transit solution."
"Besides working with ADASTEC on the ITS4US project, at the University at Buffalo, we are looking forward to a long-term, collaborative relationship with ADASTEC in the emerging area of public transportation automation research and development, which the university is heavily invested in," said Chunming Qiao, Ph.D., SUNY distinguished professor in the department of computer science and enegineering at the University at Buffalo and co-lead of the UB team on the ITS4US project.
