A new full-size electric bus, automated by ADASTEC — a provider of SAE Level-4 automated driving software for full-size buses — is joining the Michigan State University campus transportation network. 

Beginning August 25, it will operate along a 5.12-mile route through central campus, providing a free, accessible, and sustainable mobility option for students, faculty, staff, visitors, and the surrounding community. 

The bus meets both Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, making it the first SAE Level-4 automated bus with these certifications to operate in the U.S.

Michigan State’s Autonomous Bus Project 

The deployment is part of a new three-year research agreement with the university in which ADASTEC’s SAE Level-4 automated driving software platform, flowride.ai, will be central to developing and proving out connected and automated vehicle technologies in real-world conditions. 

To enable advanced capabilities such as intersection-to-bus communication, ADASTEC’s system will integrate with nine newly installed C-V2X (cellular vehicle-to-everything) roadside units along the route. This connected vehicle infrastructure, seamlessly working with flowride.ai, will be a critical asset for deployment, ongoing testing, and the continuous advancement of ADASTEC’s automated driving solutions.

The new service takes Michigan State University’s campus mobility to an entirely new level, introducing a fully integrated passenger operation with advanced connected vehicle capabilities. 

The bus enables a continuous flow of real-world data to support both operational excellence and advanced mobility research. This vehicle combines advanced automation with full regulatory compliance, setting a new benchmark for automated public transportation in the U.S.

The SpartanXpress

Named SpartanXpress through a campus-wide student contest, the bus will serve as a hands-on learning platform for students across multiple disciplines. 

Through access to performance data and real operational scenarios, future engineers and researchers will gain direct insight into how ADASTEC’s SAE Level-4 automated driving software platform, flowride.ai, interacts with infrastructure, passengers, and varied traffic conditions, creating a living classroom that blends technology, education, and public service.

The FMVSS- and ADA-compliant bus is equipped with ADASTEC’s advanced sensor suite, including six LiDARs, six radars, eleven RGB cameras, a GNSS, and a C-V2X onboard unit. flowride.ai manages all driving functions from acceleration and braking to steering and decision-making on pre-mapped urban routes in mixed traffic that includes cyclists, pedestrians, cars, buses, and trucks. 

The system communicates with surrounding infrastructure and other road users, intelligently adapting to dynamic traffic conditions while managing intersections, bus stops, and crosswalks without the need for human intervention.

Through vehicle-to-infrastructure connectivity, the system communicates with 13 traffic lights and roadside units for precise coordination at intersections and pedestrian crossings. Through C-V2X connectivity, the system also operates with continuous communication with traffic lights to ensure exact coordination. 

The bus operates reliably in adverse weather conditions, including light snow, rain, and haze. It also features an automated accessibility ramp and ADA-compliant boarding, with real-time fleet monitoring and remote operation capabilities for enhanced safety. 

The maximum speed limit for the route is 25 mph. This level of situational awareness ensures uninterrupted service and makes sustainable automated transportation a natural part of campus life at MSU.