Perrone Robotics Wins Multi‑Agency SMART Grant to Retrofit Six Transit Buses with TONY™ ADAS Kit
Perrone Robotics Inc. has entered into a landmark Vehicle‑Agnostic Kit Services Agreement with NEORide, a consortium of U.S. transit authorities, to bring advanced driver‑assistance capabilities to six 35‑foot Gillig buses in Ohio. The project is funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grant program, channeling $1.48 million of federal support to Perrone as part of a $1.98 million award managed by NEORide.
A Region‑Wide Collaboration for Safer Roads
Three NEORide member agencies—Butler County Regional Transit Authority (BCRTA), Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA), and Western Reserve Transit Authority (WRTA)—will each receive two upgraded buses equipped with Perrone’s industry‑leading TONY™ ADAS Retrofit Kit. This multi‑agency effort underscores how regional partnerships can pool federal innovation dollars to accelerate safety improvements for riders and operators alike.
Transforming Legacy Fleets with Cutting‑Edge Technology
The TONY Kit seamlessly fuses sensors, Perrone’s MAX® autonomy software and a “bolt‑on” hardware suite to give existing buses modern safety features—without replacing an entire fleet. Key capabilities include:
Forward Collision Avoidance & Automated Emergency Braking (AEB)
Blind‑Spot Detection and Side‑Impact Alerts
Intersection‑management assistance and pedestrian protection features
By integrating these ADAS functions, TONY helps drivers prevent accidents, reduce operating costs, and boost passenger confidence—showing how legacy transit fleets can quickly leapfrog into a new era of safety and efficiency.
For this scope of the SMART Grant program, the six buses will be outfitted with Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assistance, Forward Collision Avoidance, Warnings, and Data Logging TONY ADAS Kit capabilities.
Customer & Community Benefits
Safer Streets: Real‑time collision‑avoidance technology reduces the risk of accidents in densely traveled urban corridors.
Driver Support: Enhanced situational awareness means operators can focus on smooth, reliable service rather than split‑second hazard detection.
Cost‑Effective Modernization: Transit agencies retain their existing buses while gaining the latest safety tech—maximizing taxpayer value from federal grants.
What’s Next
Over the project term, Perrone will integrate, test, and commission all six buses, train agency operators, and collect performance data for USDOT evaluators. The collaboration sets a template for scalable roll‑outs of TONY across additional NEORide members—and transit fleets nationwide—delivering immediate safety gains while paving the way for higher levels of automation in the future.
Perrone Robotics CEO Paul Perrone commented, “This SMART Grant partnership demonstrates how quickly we can make America’s buses safer. With TONY, agencies get forward collision avoidance, lane keeping assistance, and more—without buying new vehicles. We’re thrilled to work with NEORide, BCRTA, SARTA, and WRTA to protect drivers and passengers starting today.”
Stay tuned to PerroneRobotics.com for progress updates as each bus hits the road with TONY on board!
