Intel Corp's Mobileye division intends to build and deploy self-driving electric taxis with its partners in the United States in 2024, in a bid to increase its automated driving system beyond taxis and delivery vehicles, according to Reuters.
Mobileye, Benteler EV Systems, and Beep will launch the on-demand driverless taxis, which will seat 12 to 14 people, without a steering wheel or pedal.
The vehicles will be operated in "contained geo-fenced areas," where speed limits are 35 miles an hour or less, according to Hinrich Woebcken, the advisory board member of Beep, a mobility service provider.
Mobileye plans to deploy robotaxis in Israel and Germany by the end of this year pending regulatory approval. Aside from working with Udelv, a Silicon Valley startup, it is planning to deploy automated electric delivery vehicles in the United States by 2023.
According to Johann Jungwirth, the vice president of Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) at Mobileye, Mobileye will demonstrate to federal and state regulators in the United States that its self-driving system would be safer than a human driver.
"On a technology level, we are very, very bullish, and very strongly believe the technology is really nearing completion," he said.
Shuttles will assist drivers save money, address driver shortages, and address urban issues such as emissions and congestion, according to executives.
"We see the interesting opportunities and growth of this autonomous mover and autonomous shuttle market," Marco Kollmeier, the managing director of Benteler EV Systems GmbH, said.
Benteler EV Systems, a subsidiary of Benteler International AG, will construct shuttles that meet consumer and safety standards for the public road.
