Accelerate development of autonomous transit shuttles, last-mile delivery and university R&D programs through new by-wire platform from Hexagon | AutonomouStuff

(Morton, Illinois, April 21, 2022) - The ability to quickly implement autonomous and automated capabilities has never been closer for Ford Transit platforms through Hexagon | AutonomouStuff’s new by-wire and autonomy software solution. Using the positioning and perception sensors and the by-wire system to control the vehicle, AutonomouStuff’s autonomy software outputs reliable navigation across urban and rural environments. Designed to integrate seamlessly, the system accelerates autonomous programs and shortens the time to market for commercial transit shuttle programs, last-mile delivery and universities. The autonomy suite is flexible to be tailored across specific environmental needs and operated on set routes. 

The Ford Transit platform includes a drive-by-wire system enabling electronic control of the vehicle, GNSS positioning and perception sensors like LiDAR and RADAR, and AutonomouStuff’s autonomy software stack leveraging sensor data to output autonomous navigation. The software stack acts as the capstone of the entire platform, facilitating ease of integrating the autonomy solution into Ford Transit vehicles. 

“The new by-wire R&D platform for the Ford Transit expands Hexagon’s autonomous mobility ecosystem and lowers the barrier to entry for last-mile delivery, transit shuttle services and more,” said Kevin Fay, vehicle platforms portfolio manager at Hexagon’s Autonomy & Positioning division. “Our autonomy software acts as the system’s brain, using the sensors and by-wire to navigate safely and autonomously, wherever the platform needs to take you.”   

The by-wire platform, autonomy software stack and sensor suite were validated in an ongoing project where an automated shuttle services rural communities. The project uses a Ford Transit vehicle and is detailed in this case study. With the success of the rural transit project, AutonomouStuff is launching the Ford Transit by-wire R&D platform to empower the development of commercial shuttle transit, last-mile delivery and university autonomy programs. 

Explore the Ford Transit by-wire platform and AutonomouStuff’s other R&D platforms at autonomoustuff.com.

For further information, please contact:

Product and Service Inquiries:
Kevin Fay
Vehicle platforms portfolio manager
Hexagon's Autonomy & Positioning division 
Tel: +1 (309) 202 2084 
Click here to send email

Media Inquiries:
Jessica Fielding
Senior manager, global marketing
Hexagon's Autonomy & Positioning division
Tel: +1 (403) 919-3388
Click here to send email

About Hexagon | AutonomouStuff

Hexagon is a global leader in digital reality solutions, combining sensor, software and autonomous technologies. We are putting data to work to boost efficiency, productivity, quality and safety across industrial, manufacturing, infrastructure, public sector, and mobility applications. 

Our technologies are shaping production and people-related ecosystems to become increasingly connected and autonomous – ensuring a scalable, sustainable future. 

AutonomouStuff, part of Hexagon, is a global technology leader, pioneering solutions for R&D platforms, products, software and engineering services for the advancement of robotics and autonomy systems. Learn more at autonomoustuff.com.  

Hexagon (Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B) has approximately 24,000 employees in 50 countries and net sales of approximately 5.2bn EUR. Learn more at hexagon.com and follow us.