News

Webinar 2 screenshot

Recording of Webinar 2: Vehicle Hardware and Software now available

Thursday, September 29, 2022
The recording is now available for webinar about our vehicle, including details on the installed hardware and integrated software system, along with some lessons learned and advice for others embarking on similar projects.
ADS for Rural America Shuttle Bus on Rural Road

On the Rural Road to Autonomy

Wednesday, September 21, 2022
Automated Driving System program looks to raise the bar for self-driving in the country.
The inner workings of an autonomous vehicle.

The brain powering the autonomous engine

Monday, July 25, 2022
This GPS World article examines the science behind autonomy and positioning systems developed by Hexagon | AutonomouStuff and outfitted on our ADS for Rural America Ford Transit.
Sri Mushty, one of the autonomous software specialists from Hexagon | AutonomouStuff

ADS for Rural America update: July 2022

Tuesday, July 12, 2022
We recently started Phase 3 (of 6) of our project, with the help of one of our tech partners, Hexagon | AutonomouStuff. See also how our co-pilot display works.
Webinar 1 screenshot

Webinar 1 recording: Focus on Safety

Friday, April 22, 2022
Watch a recording of our first webinar about our ADS for Rural America project, "Focus on Safety," held on Thursday, April 21.
Mandli Communications van with equipment to create HD map

The brain of an automated vehicle

Friday, February 18, 2022
Mandli Communications created the high-definition (HD) map of our 47-mile ADS for Rural America route. The HD map has been installed as part of the brain of our automated shuttle bus—allowing the vehicle to identify where it is on the road within 10 cm.
PAVE panel

McGehee, Ahmad appear on PAVE panel

Thursday, January 27, 2022
We're partnering with PAVE Campaign for their virtual panel "All AVs Are Local: Iowa's Automated Rural Shuttle" on Wednesday, Feb. 2, at 1 p.m. CT. Join Dan McGehee and Omar Ahmad as they discuss our ADS for Rural America automated shuttle project, with a recording available after Feb. 2.
safety driver and co-pilot

Dec. 2021 update: Phase 1 of project complete

Thursday, December 9, 2021
The ADS for Rural America project launched in October 2021 and has completed its first phase of data collection. See an example map and learn more about the roles of the safety driver and co-pilot.
Automated shuttle bus on rural Iowa road

Ride with us! Participation sign-up now open

Want to ride in a partially automated vehicle with us? We’re now looking for people who are age 65 or older, have a disability that affects their mobility (age 25 or older), or have low vision impairment (age 25 or older). We’ll be stopping in Iowa City, Hills, Riverside, and Kalona.
Speaking with community members at the Johnson County Fair

Summer outreach events

Tuesday, August 3, 2021
We've had a great time so far this summer attending local outreach events to talk to people about our ADS for Rural America project. We've been to three of the four communities along our project route: Riverside, Hills, and Iowa City.