The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has selected EasyMile to lead its autonomous shuttle bus pilot project.

Testing, which will start in November and go through February 2018, will examine how the shuttle operates in a variety of conditions, including in low temperatures, in snow and ice conditions, and on roads where salt is used.

While EasyMile has conducted cold weather tests in Finland and Norway using its driverless technology, this will be the company’s first time conducting cold weather tests in the United States.

The shuttle will initially be tested at MnDOT’s pavement test facility, which is known as MnROAD.

“We’re excited to partner with EasyMile to help MnDOT test autonomous technology,” says Jay Hietpas, MnDOT state traffic engineer and project manager.

“Their expertise will help us learn how these vehicles operate in a winter weather environment so we can advance this technology and position MnDOT and Minnesota as a leader.”

This latest move is a continuation of EasyMile's expansion into the United States, as the company announced back in August that it was opening its U.S. headquarters in Denver, Colorado at the Panasonic Enterprise Solutions campus.