Fresno State students and staffed showed off self-driving shuttle

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno State engineering students and staff revealed the ride of the future on campus Tuesday morning. Demonstrations were given of a new four-passenger self-driving shuttle.

The shuttle is operated by keyboard instead of a steering wheel and pedal. Several students from the Lyles College of engineering program gave Victor E. Bulldog and Mary Castro-- the wife university president Doctor Joseph Castro-- the first ride on the electric shuttle. "This type of innovation and enthusiasm coming from a young group of people who are excited about the future, and looking at ways that they can solve issues that all of us are facing, and dealing with, is inspiring to me."

The self-driving vehicle is part of a pilot research project from Silicon Valley company Varden Labs.

The shuttle is about the size of a golf cart and can reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour.