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Atlanta is preparing for more autonomous vehicles (AVs) to hit the streets in 2026…just in time for the FIFA World Cup.
But unlike the Waymo vehicles that are now all over the streets of Intown Atlanta, these AVs add more options to Atlanta’s public transportation landscape. Through a 12-month project, which is a partnership between the Atlanta Beltline and the Orlando-based startup Beep, Inc., self-driving shuttles will start to run along a three-mile round-trip route connecting the Atlanta University Center, MARTA’s West End Station, and the Atlanta Beltline Southwest Trail at the Lee + White Entertainment District.
Each vehicle will carry at least 12 passengers, providing a new transit option for residents, workers, and the international visitors expected during the World Cup.
“This first-of-its-kind autonomous transit pilot in Atlanta is an important step toward realizing a more innovative and accessible city,” said Clyde Higgs, President and CEO of Atlanta Beltline, Inc. “It’s not just about testing new technology — it’s about enhancing mobility access and increasing connectivity.”
The partnership was officially announced earlier this month at the Florida AV Summit.
Even before landing the partnership with the Beltline, Beep had been building its presence in the Metro Atlanta area.
“Our deployments in the City of Peachtree Corners and the Cumberland Community Improvement District brought local visibility and exposure to our autonomous mobility solutions. Through this work and our membership in the Georgia Chamber and Council for Quality Growth, we’ve had the opportunity to strengthen our relationships with the Atlanta Beltline team as well as other key Georgia stakeholders, including GDOT and the Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority,” Alex Poirot, Beep’s VP of External Affairs, told Hypepotamus.
Hypepotamus previously reported on Beep’s project in the Cumberland area, northwest of the city, which has traditionally lacked public transportation options.
Beep will deploy Karsan Autonomous e-JEST shuttles, fully electric minibuses. These production-grade vehicles have already logged more than 150,000 kilometers of autonomous operations on public roads and safely transported 60,000 passengers. The e-JEST platform meets all federal safety standards, and is ADA compliant.
“Beep is agnostic in terms of vehicle and automated driving software, which allows us the flexibility to tailor the right solution to each deployment based on service hours, accessibility requirements and aesthetics. These vehicles will accommodate at least 12 riders,” Poirot added.
The vehicles provide active monitoring, real-time responsiveness, and comprehensive visibility both in and around the vehicles, designed to help build rider confidence in the safety of autonomous transit.
You can can a full virtual tour of the minibuses on, appropriately enough, the publication Bus-News.
