The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) and partner Beep launched the Tampa Bay region’s first fully electric automated vehicle program on October 12, 2020. The one-year pilot program, which is funded by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), will see a self-driving shuttle traversing the Marion Street transitway in downtown Tampa.The route includes four stops at Marion Transit Center's Bay F, Kennedy Boulevard, Washington Street and Whiting Street with the option for a future stop at Tampa City Hall. HART SMART AV operates without a driver and uses a pre-programmed, fixed route with a combination of localization techniques involving state-of-the-art sensor technology. The shuttle uses eight sensors on the outside of the vehicle providing a 360-degree view of the environment. An on-board shuttle attendant serves as an ambassador for the riders to learn more about the technology and oversee the passenger experience.
