Lyft has announced plans to launch its first customer-ready robotaxi pilot in Atlanta, marking a significant step for the company in the autonomous vehicle (AV) space. Though it has observed rival Uber engage in various partnerships with autonomous vehicle operators, Lyft has been developing its own fleet. The pilot will involve collaboration with May Mobility, a company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which is supported by Toyota and BMW. The fleet will consist of Toyota Sienna minivans equipped with various sensors, including cameras, radar, and lidar, and will operate in a service area of approximately seven square miles focused on Midtown Atlanta.
Customers using Lyft’s service will have the option to be matched with May Mobility’s autonomous vehicles within the designated area. For added safety during the initial phase, vehicles will include what Lyft refers to as “standby operators,” trained individuals positioned in the driver’s seat. These operators will be prepared to take control if necessary, particularly during initial rides, and will assist customers with questions and comfort. This approach is consistent with industry standards as safety drivers have been employed in early phases by other companies, including Waymo and Tesla, although only Waymo and Zoox currently operate fully driverless vehicles commercially.
Despite previously lagging behind in establishing partnerships with autonomous vehicle developers, Lyft is adopting a similar model to its competitor Uber by providing its ride-hailing platform to various self-driving developers. This strategy allows Lyft to remain “asset light,” enabling other companies to manage the ownership and operational aspects of the robotaxi fleet while Lyft connects customers with these services.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/775074/lyft-may-mobility-robotaxi-atlanta-public