May Mobility launches Lexus-based shuttle

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – May Mobility, a leader in autonomous vehicle (AV) technology and shuttle operations, announced today that it will add the Lexus RX450h to its shuttle fleets. This is May Mobility’s first AV technology integration into an OEM’s platform.

May Mobility will begin operating four autonomous Lexus shuttles, alongside one wheelchair-accessible Polaris GEM shuttle, in partnership with the City of Arlington, Texas as part of the RAPID (Rideshare, Automation, and Payment Integration Demonstration) program. The May Lexus shuttles, like the current May GEM shuttles, will be staffed by a Fleet Attendant and will begin testing on public roads in Arlington this week. They will be available for service using Arlington’s Via On-Demand Rideshare app when the route launches to the public in March 2021.

“Adding the Lexus RX450H to our fleet allows May Mobility to elevate the shuttle experience and expand the services and capabilities we can offer municipalities and riders,” said Edwin Olson, co-founder and CEO of May Mobility. “With this vehicle platform, we advance May Mobility’s mission to transform cities with safe, clean, and accessible autonomous shuttles.”

May Mobility’s shuttles leverage multiple types of redundant sensors. Technology modifications to the 2020 Lexus RX450h include the addition of seven cameras, a top-mounted long-range Velodyne Alpha Prime lidar, four short-range Ouster lidars, and five radars. These shuttles will include May’s Clean Shuttle technology, with features that include a partition between the Fleet Attendant and passengers as well as a grēnlite™ UV-C light treatment system for passenger health and safety.

Privately-held May Mobility was founded in 2017. Its most recent funding round was led by Toyota Motor Corporation with participation from SPARX Group alongside return investors Millennium Technology Value Partners, Cyrus Capital Partners, BMW iVentures, and Toyota AI Ventures.

About May Mobility
May Mobility is a leader in autonomous vehicle technology development and deployment. With more than 270,000 autonomous rides to date, May Mobility is committed to delivering safe, efficient and sustainable shuttle solutions designed to complement today’s public transportation options. The company’s ultimate goal is to realize a world where self-driving systems make transportation more accessible and reliable, the roads safer, and encourage better land use in order to foster more green, vibrant, and livable spaces. For more information, visit maymobility.com.