Bestmile announced the expansion of the company’s OEM partnerships with the platform’s integration with Lohr Cristal vehicles and a demonstration project in France later this year.

“This project will demonstrate how Bestmile’s technology can be deeply integrated with an OEM vehicle to enable new mobility services,” said Raphael Gindrat, CEO and cofounder of Bestmile. “The trial will showcase the advantages of an open platform capable of communicating with and managing any type of vehicle including human-driven vehicles, enabling the evolution of new mobility services.”

Bestmile’s Core Engine gives public and private transit businesses real-time ride matching, service planning, and back-office management to quickly and easily launch tailored mobility services. In addition to the Core Engine, Lohr will be using Bestmile’s traveler mobile app and operator dashboard to provide their customers with an end-to-end solution. The Lohr Cristal is the first vehicle to embed Bestmile technology directly on a head unit.

Lohr Cristal electric shuttles seat five people including a driver and can reach speeds up to approximately 43 miles per hour and operate for a full day on a single charge. The vehicle can also operate as a larger shuttle by coupling additional driven or driverless vehicles with the primary vehicle, accommodating up to 82 standing passengers at speeds up to about 24 miles per hour. Shuttles like Lohr’s offer transit businesses a way to reach new service areas with lower investment in infrastructure such as rails, stations, and stops.

Supporting human-driven as well as autonomous vehicles is important for operators, making it possible to mix vehicle fleets and test customer acceptance of new mobility solutions, according to the company. The trial project will compliment or replace existing bus lines and will test public reaction to new types of vehicles and services.