The city of Detroit has secured an additional $1.67 million to bolster its plans for a free autonomous shuttle service scheduled to launch this summer.

The “Connect” AV Shuttle Service will be open to the public and run from Corktown through downtown, along the east Riverfront, and back. The project is a collaboration between the City of Detroit’s Office of Mobility Innovation (OMI), Michigan Central, Bedrock, State of Michigan’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification.

“This project will significantly benefit both residents and visitors by reducing wait times, expanding service areas, and providing a convenient, free, and eco-friendly transportation option around the city,” Tim Slusser, Chief of Mobility Innovation for the City of Detroit, said in a news release.

In April, the city and its partners announced plans to pilot the two-way, 10-mile shuttle route. The shuttles feature a mix of passenger seats and are wheelchair accessible.

The additional funding commitment announced Wednesday will extend the pilot, with five all-electric Ford E-Transit shuttles, for an additional 12 months beyond what was originally anticipated. The city initially received $1.5 million for the project, with $500,000 each coming from Michigan Central, Bedrock, and the state’s mobility and electrification office.

The latest commitment of $1.67 million from the Michigan Department of Transportation 2024 Service Initiatives funding will help purchase an additional vehicle, increase capacity, lower wait times and aid in the development of a software-based tool to transition the Connect into a sustainable transit form.

“The Connect pilot will be much more than just a transit service for Detroiters,” added Slusser, noting it will be a model for transit agencies across the state and nationally on incorporating new technologies to improve rider experience.