New and exciting technology is being developed regularly, with some of it even being implemented in theme parks.

Courtesy: RAD via the Orlando Sentinel

Disney often utilizes new technology when creating new rides and experiences, like trackless ride systems and projection mapping. We recently learned about robotic security guards potentially coming to theme parks and other areas, and now, an Orlando company is partnering up to make and roll out self-driving vehicles.

Orlando-based self-driving shuttle operator Beep Inc. is partnering up with Moileye, an Israeli subsidiary of Intel Corp., and German manufacturer Benteler to build and put out “autonomous movers” in the United States, according to the Orlando Business Journal.

The plan right now is to deploy these autonomous vehicles in 2024. These are basically self-driving shuttles. If you’ve seen season 3 of Westworld, the vehicles might look very familiar to you!

©Intel Corp. via Orlando Business Journal

As part of this new project, a manufacturing facility will be set up in the United States to make the vehicles. It’s not known right now where this facility will be, but Beep is based in Orlando. The company launched its first route in 2019 and since then, the company has expanded to 19 routes across the U.S.

©Tavistock via Orlando Weekly

The vehicles will be built by Benteler, integrated with Mobileye’s self-driving system Mobileye Drive, and deployed and operated by Beep, according to the Orlando Business Journal. The vehicles will meet automotive engineer association SAE International’s definition of Level 4 driving automation, meaning they can drive themselves with no human driver intervention under certain circumstances.

“We expect, in the first year of deployment, a couple hundred vehicles on U.S. roadways,” said Beep CEO Joe Moye, according to the Orlando Business Journal.

©Jim Carchidi via Orlando Business Journal

It’s unknown right now if these vehicles could be rolled out in the Orlando area, but we’ll keep an eye out for any news, so stay tuned to DFB for updates.

Click here to learn about how robots might become security guards at theme parks soon

Would you ride in one of these vehicles? Let us know in the comments.