BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2025) — Boca Raton is putting a small, driverless shuttle on the road in Mizner Park this weekend.

Starting Saturday, Dec. 13, the city will launch “MiCa,” a free autonomous shuttle that will run on a fixed loop inside Mizner Park as part of a pilot program aimed at “smarter, safer, and more connected” mobility, according to the city’s description of the project.

It’s designed as an easy hop-on, hop-off ride within the park’s core, with five designated stops and evening service.

The city said the pilot is being introduced through a partnership with Guident, Circuit, and Auve Tech, and is intended to support safer streets, cleaner transportation, and more accessible mobility options for residents and visitors.

MiCa will operate only within Mizner Park on a set route, stopping at these five locations:

• 590 Plaza Real — Amphitheater
• 411 Plaza Real — Calaveras Cantina
• 201 Plaza Real — Eddie V’s
• 320 Plaza Real — Shade Store
• 428 Plaza Real — Rekstarr Mixing

Service hours are currently listed as Thursday through Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. The city said extended service hours are expected to begin in late January.

The shuttle is designed to carry up to seven passengers, plus an on-board attendant.

While the vehicle drives autonomously, it is not being left entirely on its own. The city said the shuttle uses advanced autonomous driving technology with live human oversight, real-time safety monitoring, and remote passenger assistance when needed. That support is provided through Guident’s GuideOn Remote Monitor and Control Center, or RMCC.

The city describes the RMCC setup as including real-time monitoring of every shuttle, predictive safety monitoring powered by AI, encrypted communications and redundancy, and the ability to provide remote operational passenger assistance if a rider needs help.

For riders, the instructions are simple and deliberately low-friction. Find a marked stop with MiCa signage. When the doors open, board and take a seat. The city said riders may bring small mobility aids, folded strollers, and shopping bags. The shuttle pauses at each stop, and riders can follow along through on-board announcements and an interior information screen indicating the next stop.

No reservations are required, and there’s no fare.

One important limitation is accessibility. The city noted the pilot vehicle is not ADA-accessible. City staff said accessibility needs will be evaluated as part of the pilot program review.

The shuttle is also being positioned as a complement to the city’s broader mobility services, not a replacement. MiCa will operate separately from BocaConnect’s on-demand shuttle service, but beginning in January, the city said users will be able to view MiCa’s real-time location and stop locations in the Ride Circuit app. BocaConnect remains the option for travel beyond Mizner Park.

For the city, the pilot is being framed as a test run for new mobility tools in a controlled, walkable district. Officials said the project will allow Boca Raton to evaluate performance, rider experience, and community benefits of autonomous shuttles in a dense, urban-style setting.

Residents and visitors with questions or feedback about the shuttle can email [email protected].