In 149 years, Yellowstone National Park has moved from horse-based transportation for visitors to the first testing of an electric shuttle capable of operating without a driver.
Beep Launches Yellowstone s First Autonomous Shuttles with Local Motors
- Leveraged experience in enabling the largest and most tenured autonomous shuttle network in the U.S. in Lake Nona, Fla.
- Project operates June 9 to Aug. 31 with two routes and two Local Motors Olli autonomous vehicles
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CANYON VILLAGE, Wyo., June 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ Beep – a provider of multi-passenger, electric, autonomous mobility solutions – today announced the launch of Yellowstone National Park s first-ever autonomous shuttle program, called T.E.D.D.Y. (The Electric Driverless Demonstration in Yellowstone), in partnership with Local Motors, a leader in the design and manufacturing of autonomous vehicles. The T.E.D.D.Y. project, an ode to Teddy Roosevelt, will enable the National Park Service to test the feasibility and sustainability of autonomous mobility and better plan for the future of transportation.
CANYON VILLAGE â Even in the twilight years of life, Walt McMahon isnât one to eschew a technological innovation when he sees one.
So when the University of Illinois emeritus economics professor happened upon an all-electric, driverless mini-bus during his first-ever trip into Yellowstone National Park on Tuesday, he was immediately intrigued.
âThis thing is the future,â McMahon said. âIâm 93, so if these things are going up to the top of a hill or a long way, that would be perfect.â
McMahonâs travel mate, Eileen Borgia, thought an automated shuttle system like the one launching in Canyon Village this week would be a worthwhile investment elsewhere. The couple was on a western roadtrip, and while passing by the Tetons came across the weekend edition of the Jackson Hole Daily, which printed a cover story about the regionâs unprecedented early-summer visitation.