Autonomous vehicle tech firm May Mobility is testing a Toyota Sienna equipped with the next generation of its autonomous driving kit (ADK) and will work with Toyota to add the vehicle to public shuttle fleets in 2022.

The automated vehicle based on the Sienna features Toyota’s adaptable Vehicle Control Interface (VCI). This allows for more seamless technology integration and operation of key vehicle control systems, such as steering, brakes, and acceleration.

May Mobility’s relationship with Toyota began with an initial investment in the company, and has expanded to include a shuttle fleet in Hiroshima, Japan with MONET (a joint venture between Softbank and Toyota). 

May Mobility was also selected to provide autonomous shuttle services in Indianapolis, Indiana, as part of a Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) initiative beginning later this spring.

Modifications to the Sienna include the addition of LIDAR, RADAR, and camera sensors, along with the compute and control modules that make up May Mobility’s autonomous driving kit. 

The May Mobility Toyota Sienna shuttle is currently being tested on public roads in Ann Arbor. Additional shuttles are under development and will be ready for use in public fleets in 2022.

“As we’ve seen throughout the industry, companies developing self-driving vehicles need strong OEM partners to be successful,” said Edwin Olson, co-founder and CEO of May Mobility. “With Toyota, May Mobility can deploy our unique self-driving technology on the best vehicles in the world.”

Keiji Yamamoto, Operating Officer of Toyota and President of Connected Company said: “We are delighted that Toyota’s “Autono-MaaS*”(autonomous-mobility as a service) vehicle based on the Sienna will be utilised for May Mobility’s public road testing. This vehicle is equipped with the Vehicle Control Interface (VCI) that can easily connect to the ADK. Toyota continues to collaborate with automated mobility service providers through these vehicles and is implementing Autono-MaaS swiftly, aiming to realise a society where all people have the freedom of movement.”