'North America's first' Level-4 autonomous bus is set to transport over 40 passengers in Connecticut

A Minnesota-based transit manufacturer has just unveiled what it's billing as'North America's first heavy-duty automated transit bus.' The electric vehicle uses AutoDrive technology to construct a 360-degree 3-D model of its surroundings via LIDAR, radar, and cameras. New Flyer has already launched a pilot program with the Connecticut Department of Transportation, with a fleet of Xcelsior buses shuttling passengers along a dedicated transit route between New Britain and Hartfort. The companies call its new Xcelsior AV electric bus'North America's first fully operational heavy-duty automated transit bus.' According to New Flyer, the Xcelsior meets the requirements for a Level 4 automated vehicle.