BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2025) — The downtown area of Boca Raton has begun to develop smart transportation systems. The city plans to launch its first self-driving shuttle service during this autumn season for a twelve-month testing period.
The service will use MiCa, a fully electric, self-driving shuttle developed by Auve Tech, an Estonian company whose vehicles already operate in several cities across Europe, Asia, and the United States. The pilot will be conducted by Guident Corp., a Boca Raton–based autonomous vehicle company, in partnership with Circuit, which currently operates the city’s BocaCONNECT shuttles.
The City Council approved the plan in May when they chose Guident from multiple firms that provided equivalent technology solutions.
According to Guident’s announcement, the shuttle will eventually serve a 2.6-mile route connecting Mizner Park and Royal Palm Place, two of the city’s most popular downtown destinations. The system will start with a 0.6-mile path that runs through Mizner Park before it adds more sections to its route.
The City of Boca Raton has launched this revolutionary urban transportation system which shows the city's dedication to creating intelligent and environmentally friendly transportation solutions according to Mayor Scott Singer.
Guident’s chairman and CEO Harald Braun stated the project represents a major advancement toward developing self-driving public transportation systems. The partnership between the companies aims to establish a safer urban environment through efficient connected transportation systems.
Alex Esposito, co-founder and CEO of Circuit, said Boca Raton has been quick to embrace innovation. “As the operator of BocaCONNECT locally, it’s a natural and exciting next step to bring this autonomous shuttle service to life,” Esposito said. “Boca maintains its position as the leading provider of mobility solutions and we are excited to back their upcoming projects.
The MiCa shuttle is an SAE Level 4 autonomous vehicle, meaning it can navigate complex environments without human intervention under defined conditions. Designed and built in Estonia, the eight-passenger electric shuttle has been deployed in cities from Finland to Japan and is already operating on public routes in Jacksonville and West Palm Beach.
The company Guident operates from Boca Raton to create remote monitoring systems which enable autonomous vehicle and ground robot control. The company developed operational technology which improved safety outcomes and operational performance in actual operational environments.
The pilot project represents a major achievement for Boca Raton because it enables the city to reach its goal of establishing itself as a top destination for sustainable innovation and smart city technology development. The program would establish itself as a permanent downtown transportation system if it achieves success during its first year of operation.
