EAST LANSING, Mich. (WWJ) -- Michigan State University is gearing up to bring a self-driving shuttle bus to campus next year.
On Friday, officials were showing off the new autonomous bus when they got a friendly reminder that this is a technology that’s still under development.
WWJ AutoBeat Reporter Jeff Gilbert was on-hand for the demonstration when a truck pulled out in front of the green and white shuttle, causing it to slam on its brakes.
The bus did what it was programmed to do -- stop. But two photographers on the bus were knocked to the floor. No one was injured during the incident, but Gilbert says it’s a reminder that developers are still working on the technology.
Ali Peker, CEO of Adastec, the manufacturer of the autonomous bus, told Gilbert they’re still working out some kinks.
He says normally, braking in an autonomous passenger car wouldn’t be as big of an issue, but when people are standing on a bus that has to brake quickly, an incident like Friday’s could happen.
When the bus begins running, officials say there will be a safety driver on-board.
“What they want to learn from this bus is how people and machines interact," Gilbert said live on WWJ Friday afternoon. "So they will have a safety driver on it, they’ll be observing on the campus -- how do students like this bus? Do they like the bus? What are they doing, are they using it, are they avoiding it, what will happen?"
“And the thought is, they can use this to plan out buses like this, transportation systems like this in the future, because it is a reality that there is going to be a shortage of bus drivers, shortage of things like that, so if we can automate at least some of the system, that’s something that could possibly help, but you want to do it safely.”
Dean for Research John Verboncoeur says he feels once the technology is finalized and gets up and running on campus, it will be something the student body embraces.
“They’re used to quickly adopting new technologies and I think they’re gonna base their decision on functionality. If we can deliver great functionality to them, I think this will be embraced,” Verboncoeur said.
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MSU President Sam Stanley said riding in the new bus was a proud moment.
“It’s a first for me, to be in an autonomous bus. It’s incredibly exciting,” Stanley said. “I think it personifies, though, and epitomizes what we’re trying to do at MSU, which is to be at the cutting edge of technology and bring the future to Michigan.”
MSU officials hope to have the new self-driving shuttle up and running some time next spring. More information on campus mobility can be found on the MSU website.
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