Partners at Honda and the Miami-Dade Aviation Department recently unveiled a set of newly-developed autonomous work vehicle (AWV) and autonomous work mower (AWM) prototypes at an event held at Miami Homestead General Aviation Airport.
The event showcased the abilities of each work unit, and included a live demonstration of a prototype AWM both mowing grass and spraying pesticide across the 960-acre airport site.
Thus far; Miami-Dade County is the first in the United States to begin testing the new autonomous technology, with Honda having recently completed a three-month pilot programme at Miami Homestead General and Miami Executive Airport testing both of its new AWV and AWM units.
Following a set of successful four day weeks for the vehicles, the Miami-Dade Aviation Department is now tasked with the evaluation of the pilot program’s results in order to determine if it wants to move forward with proposal requests for a long-term contract for the automated vehicles.
Miami-Dade County Mayor, Daniella Levine Cava, said:Testing autonomous work vehicles is the latest example of how we are exploring innovative ways to increase workforce efficiency, reduce costs, and create a more future-ready Miami-Dade County.
This technology has enormous potential for simplifying the maintenance of large open spaces at our county’s airports, parks, and other large facilities, so that workers can be elevated to more substantial roles and responsibilities.
