Oxa Launches Commercial Self-Driving Software in Jacksonville, Florida Oxa, a global provider of self-driving vehicle software, has introduced its first commercial Oxa Driver product in passenger shuttles in Jacksonville, Florida. These services, operated by US shuttle service provider Beep in collaboration with the Jacksonville Transport Authority (JTA) and the Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ), mark a significant investment in the city’s downtown area. The autonomous shuttles are part of a program licensed by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), supporting the JTA and FSCJ’s vision of becoming pioneers in autonomous transportation.
The deployment of Oxa Driver represents a milestone in the evolution of autonomous technology. While the shuttles will operate with trained safety attendants initially, the long-term goal is to enable full automation, offering enhanced safety and efficiency. Following the Jacksonville launch, Oxa plans to roll out its software in seven more cities across the US and UK in 2024.
Gavin Jackson, CEO of Oxa, emphasizes the importance of focusing on shared passenger systems and industrial logistics in the current AV market landscape. Oxa’s software aims to address the challenges posed by driver shortages in these sectors while delivering significant societal and economic benefits.
With today’s launch, Oxa becomes the first British company to export deployment-ready self-driving vehicle software globally. The company estimates that the addressable market for its software in passenger shuttles and industrial logistics is worth billions of dollars annually.
Oxa Driver is the result of a decade of research and development, combining advanced technologies such as machine learning and virtual testing. Professor Paul Newman CBE, Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Oxa, emphasizes the company’s commitment to leveraging science for societal good.
In partnership with Beep, Oxa plans to expand its autonomous shuttle services across the US, with six additional sites scheduled for deployment in 2024. These deployments will cater to various communities, from downtown regeneration projects to innovative hubs like Lake Nona in Orlando, Florida.
The announcement underscores Oxa’s position as one of Europe’s most promising venture-backed businesses, as recognized by Lazard’s 2024 T100 Index.
