Harvesting Road Data with Connected, Electric School Buses

Important results from the project

The project met its core objectives by demonstrating that Highlands’ school buses could function as real-time data harvesters for monitoring the road environment. A key achievement was the automation of the data collection process, which reduced initial friction and created a turnkey solution that now is integrated into Univrses’ product offering. External constraints hampered public-sector evaluation, but a strategic shift toward partner-driven use cases yielded interesting new insights.

Expected long term effects

The solution shows potential for scalable, cost-saving road monitoring using existing fleets. Automated collection enables more frequent updates, reduces manual inspections, and can improve school-route safety and environmental impact. Ultimately, the project established the groundwork for continued collaboration and a long-term strategic partnership, along with a plan for commercialization.

Approach and implementation

Univrses led coordination and product development while Highland provided electric school buses and operational support—showcasing that road data could be harvested using connected and electric school buses. Field tests and iterative development proceeded as planned, but external factors shifted focus from authority evaluation to partner-driven use cases. Collaboration worked well across distances and produced insights that motivate continued development.