DRIVERLESS IN YELLOWSTONE

BY MARAYA KING

Beep, an autonomous shuttle program based out of Florida, operates an autonomous shuttle at Yellowstone National Park.

With companies like Cruise and Waymo deploying in autonomous vehicles in California, Beep is looking to set itself apart from the crowd and offer a unique perspective on the ways in which autonomous vehicles can shape our world view.

The National Parks Service describes the effort as a pilot project of sorts to determine how feasible short-length shuttle services can be in other parks.

The system is up and running now, but ADAPT reached out back when the vehicle autonomy company announced a move to Yellowstone. Beep CEO, Joe Moye, talked about the program and its historic location in an interview that offered insight into the new grounds that vehicle technology is reaching.

Q: Why did Beep choose to partner with the National Parks Service?

A: Beep sees tremendous value in working alongside NPS and Yellowstone National Park to test out these technologies as they look to improve the visitor experience at the park.

Q: What is the vehicle design of the AVs that will be operating in Yellowstone?

A: Beep proposed three AV platforms to NPS during the proposal. They all seat eight to 10 passengers. The designs are very accommodating with a modern look and a full step-in cabin with a low profile designed for a comfortable and friendly rider experience. We will be selecting the final brand of autonomous shuttle before the end of the year in concert with NPS based on the ultimate route selected for the service.

The vehicle is fully driverless following a fixed route at a controlled speed. Each shuttle will be supported and monitored by an onboard specialist and our Beep Global Command Center to ensure the safe operation of the vehicle.

Q: How does Beep hope to improve viewer experience with the use of AVs in National Parks?

A: The two electric autonomous shuttles Beep will deploy in the Village Canyon area of Yellowstone National Park have large glass windows and an open design enabling passengers to experience and see the outdoors while riding in the vehicle.

The attendant onboard will also serve as both an ambassador to autonomous technology and to the park by providing information to riders about key destinations along the route.

Q: How is the path decided?

A: Multiple paths are under consideration with the Yellowstone team and we are supporting this planning effort. Ultimately, the objective is to conduct this test in an area which will provide expanded mobility to a good sample of visitors and campers connecting various lodges, camping areas and other services in Canyon Village.

The shuttle stops and frequency will also be evaluated with the Beep and Yellowstone team to provide a level of service that best accommodates visitors’ needs.

Q: How does Beep ensure the vehicle will not damage the landscape it occupies?

A: Our vehicles operate on a fixed route engineered by our team and do not deviate from the predetermined path. The vehicles are equipped with a series of sensors (camera, radar and LiDAR) to provide a 360-degree view of the environment around the vehicle.

This allows it to detect cyclists, pedestrians, wildlife, other vehicles or anything that may be in the vehicle’s path or alongside the vehicle.

Q: What’s in the future for Beep?

A: We are also operating and currently planning two Florida Department of Transportation funded projects utilizing autonomous shuttles to work in concert with their existing transit network and services.

Beep sees value in testing these autonomous vehicle platforms in various use cases and environments. It is our hope and goal to have the opportunity to engage other projects at Yellowstone and other parks upon the successful testing of this service.

The ADAPT: Automotive Technology Summit is a three-day event covering the most progressive and pressing trends disrupting the industry. Learn more at adaptsummit.com

Honoring technicians aged 35 and younger who are moving the service repair industry forward, who excel in their current roles and are passionate about their work.

DEADLINE TO ENTER: JUNE 2, 2023

Prizes

Trip to 2023 AAPEX/SEMA Show in Las Vegas

Trip for two to the STX Supplier and Training Expo in Nashville in April 2024

Tools & Equipment from contest sponsors

Award plaque and uniform patch

Techs aged 35 or younger (Must be born after January 1, 1988)

At least 2 years experience in the industry

Shown career development, innovation in their role, technical or educational achievement, community service and importance to the shop

Techs can be nominated or nominate themselves

VISIT vehicleservicepros.com/2023bestyoungtech FOR MORE INFO OR TO SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION TODAY!

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Every oil change is either an opportunity gained to better service today’s vehicles or an opportunity lost as your shop lacks the necessary inventory to get the job done. Which will you be?

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NOLN also lists which engine oil specifications a product meets, be it API, ILSAC, ACEA, dexos or other.

Don’t let tomorrow’s opportunity pass you by. Be sure your shop is stocked with every oil the market demands.

Havoline PRO-DS High Mileage Full Synthetic

API SP/SN Plus/Resource Conserving ILSAC GF-6A

HTO-06 (5W-30); Chrysler MS-6395 (0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30); Fiat 9.55535-CR-1 (0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30); Ford WSS-M2C960-A1 (5W-20);

5W-20, 5W-30

Havoline PRO-DS Full Synthetic

API SP/SN Plus/Resource Conserving (0W-16, 0W-20, 5W20, 5W-30, 10W-30);

API SN (5W-40, Euro 5W-40)

SP/SN

ILSAC GF-6A (0W-20, 5W20, 5W-30, 10W-30);

ILSAC GF-6B (0W-16)

A3/B4 (5W-40);

C3 (Euro 5W-40)

GM dexos1 Generation 3 (0W-20, 5W-30) / Y

GM dexos 1 Generation 3 (0W-20, 5W-30) / Y; dexos2 (Euro 5W-40) / Y

Acura/Honda HTO-06 (5W-30); Chrysler MS-6395; Fiat 9.55535-CR-1; Ford WSSM2C960-A1 (5W-20); Ford WSS-M2C961-A1 (5W-30); Ford WSS-M2C962-A1 (0W-20); GM 6094M (5W-20, 5W-30); GM 4718M (5W-30)

Acura/Honda HTO-06 (5W-30); Chrysler MS-6395 (0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30, 10W-30); Fiat 9.55535-CR-1 (0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30, 10W-30); Ford WSS-M2C960-A1 (5W20); Ford WSS-M2C961-A1 (5W-30); Ford WSS-M2C962-A1 (0W-20); GM6094M (5W-20, 5W-30, 10W-30); GM4718M (5W-30, 10W-30); BMW Longlife-01 (6th Ed.) (5W-40); BMW Longlife-04 (6th Ed.) (Euro 5W-40);

FCA US LLC (formerly known as Chrysler Group LLC) MS-12991 (5W-40); Daimler-MB

Approval 229.50 (5W-40); Daimler-MB Approval 229.51 (Euro 5W-40); Porsche A40 (5W-40, Euro 5W-40); VW 505 00 (5W-40, Euro 5W-40); VW 505 01 (Euro 5W-40); VW 502 00 (5W-40)

Chrysler MS-6395; Fiat 9.55535-CR-1; Ford WSS-M2C930-A (5W-20); Ford WSS-M2C960-A1 (5W-20); Ford WSS-M2C961-A1 (5W-30); Ford WSS-M2C962-A1 (0W-20); GM 6094M (5W-20, 5W-30, 10W-30)

0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30

Havoline Synthetic Technology

GF-6A

Havoline Synthetic Blend API SP/SN Plus/Resource Conserving ILSAC GF-6A

GM dexos1

Generation 3 (0W-20, 5W30) / Y

Chrysler MS-6395; FIAT 9.55535-CR-1 (5W-30); Ford WSS-M2C961-A1 (5W-30); Ford WSS-M2C962-A1 (0W-20); GM 6094M (5W-30)

0W-16, 0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30, 10W-30, 5W-40, EURO 5W-40

0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30, 10W-30

Delo 400 XSP Full Synthetic

Delo 400 XLE Synthetic Technology

Delo 400 SDE

CK-4, CJ-4, CI-4, CI-4 PLUS, CH-4, SN; SN PLUS

CK-4, CJ-4, CI-4, CI-4 PLUS, CH-4, SN, SN PLUS

CK-4, CJ-4, CI-4, CI-4 PLUS, CH-4, SN (15W-40)

Delo 400 XSP-FA Full Synthetic FA-4, SN, SN PLUS SN PLUS

Delo 400 ZFA Synthetic Technology FA-4, SN, SN PLUS

Delo 400 SNG Natural Gas

E6 (5W-30), E7 (5W-30), E9

E6, E9

E9

Chrysler MS-6395; FIAT 9.55535-CR-1 (5W-30); Ford WSS-M2C960-A1 (5W-20); Ford WSS-M2C961-A1 (5W-30); GM 6094M 5W-20, 5W-30

Cummins CES 20086; DEUTZ DQC III-18 LA (15W-40); DEUTZ DQC IV-18 LA (10W-30); Mack EOS 4.5; Volvo VDS-4.5; Renault RLD-3; Caterpillar ECF-3; MTU Category 3.1 (15W-40); Detroit Fluid Specification (DFS) 93K222

Allison TES-439 (5W-40); Cummins CES 20086; Daimler MB-Approval 228.31; Daimler MB-Approval 228.51 (5W-30); DEUTZ DQC III-18 LA (5W-40); DEUTZ DQC IV-18 LA (5W-30); Detroit Fluids Specification (DFS) 93K222; Mack EOS 4.5; Renault RLD-3; Ford WSS-M2C171-F1(15W-40); Volvo VDS-4.5; Caterpillar ECF-3; JASO DH-2 (5W-30, 5W-40); MAN M 3575 (5W-40); MTU Category 2.1 (5W-40); MTU Category 3.1 (5W-30)

Allison TES-439 (15W-40); Cummins CES 20086; Daimler MB-Approval 228.31; Daimler MB-Approval 228.51; Detroit Fluids Specification (DFS) 93K222; DEUTZ DQC III-18 LA; Mack EOS 4.5; MTU Category 2.1 (10W-30); MTU Category 3.1 (15W-40); Renault VI RLD-3; Volvo VDS-4.5; Caterpillar ECF-3; JASO DH-2 (10W-30); MAN M 3575

Cummins CES 20086; Daimler MB-Approval 228.31; Detroit Fluids Specification (DFS) 93K222; DEUTZ DQC III-18 LA (15W-40); Ford WSS-M2C171-F1 (10W-30); Mack EOS 4.5; MTU Category 2.1 (15W-40); Renault VI RLD-3; Volvo VDS-4.5; Caterpillar ECF-3; JASO DH-2 (10W-30); MAN3775 (15W-40) MAN 3575 (10W-30)

VDS-5; Mack EOS-5; JASO DH-2F; Cummins CES 20087; Detroit Fluids Specification (DFS) 93K223; Ford WSS-M2C214-B1; Daimler MB-Approval 228.61

Cummins CES 20087; Detroit Fluids Specification (DFS) 93K223; Ford F150 diesel engines where Ford WSSM2C214-B1 or API FA-4 SAE 10W-30 is specified; Daimler MB-Approval 228.61

Cummins CES 20092; meets all of the requirements for Cummins CES 20085

10W-30, 15W-40

5W-30, 5W-40, 15W-40

10W-30, 15W-40

10W-30, 15W-40

5W-30

10W-30

15W-40