Sway Mobility and Mapless AI have launched Corktown Carshare, a pilot programme that uses teleoperated electric vehicles (EVs) to provide shared mobility services in Detroit’s Corktown neighbourhood.
The initiative, supported by the State of Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME), the Detroit Transportation Innovation Zone (TIZ), and NextEnergy, aims to offer an affordable and sustainable alternative to private car ownership.
Traditional carsharing models often face difficulties due to vehicle supply constraints and parking availability. By employing teleoperated technology, the Corktown Carshare pilot seeks to increase vehicle utilisation while reducing operational costs, making carsharing more viable for urban environments.
- Throughout the initiative, remote drivers from Mapless AI will position vehicles at high-demand locations each morning. Users can book the vehicles via a mobile app, and at the end of the day, the EVs will be remotely driven to charging stations for overnight recharging.
The programme will utilise existing charging infrastructure, with plans to expand as demand grows.
Philipp Robbel, CEO & Co-Founder of Mapless AI said:Mapless AI’s cutting-edge remote driving technology is transforming the way we think about shared mobility, making carsharing more seamless, accessible, and cost-effective.
By teaming up with Sway Mobility to launch Corktown Carshare, we are offering Detroit residents an affordable alternative to car ownership while showcasing how teleoperated EV fleets, powered by our unique safety-first technology, can transform urban transportation. This initiative marks a pivotal step toward smarter, more sustainable cities, and we are thrilled to help shape the way for the future of mobility in the Motor City.
The pilot aims to assess the feasibility of scaling teleoperated carsharing to other urban areas. If successful, similar programmes could be implemented in cities across the United States, offering an alternative to traditional vehicle ownership while supporting environmental and economic sustainability.
Michael Peters, CEO & Co-Founder of Sway Mobility said:Most car owners only drive their cars a few hours a week, which means many of us spend a lot of money for our cars to sit idle in a parking space or garage. Expanding access to affordable, sustainable mobility options by providing carshare-as-a-service will enable more people—particularly those who cannot or do not want to own a private car—to get around town easily and cost-effectively. Through Corktown Carshare, we will demonstrate that teleoperated carshare-as-a-service is an innovative, scalable mobility solution that can serve as a blueprint for similar programs nationwide.
