Beep merges with Miami's Freebee to blend human and autonomous transit

What's the deal? Beep, an Orlando-area autonomous mobility company, is merging with FreebeeDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, the Miami microtransit startup founded in 2012 by University of MiamiDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → friends Jason Spiegel and Kris Kimball. The deal, announced in September, combines Freebee's human-driven electric fleet with Beep's autonomous vehicles and AI-driven AutonomOS software platform. Terms were not disclosed.

What's the endgame? The merged company will operate under the Beep name, while Freebee's microtransit services keep their brand. The goal is a single platform blending human-driven, autonomous, or mixed transit, letting communities pick what suits them.

What each side brings: Freebee runs more than 300 electric vehicles across 50-plus municipalities, campuses, and business districts, delivering over 2 million rides in 2025. Beep contributes years of experience managing autonomous transportation networks. Together, they rank among the largest microtransit providers in the US.

Who runs it? Beep co-founder Kevin Reid becomes chairman and chief executive officer. Kimball joins as chief operating officer and Spiegel as president and chief growth officer, while Beep co-founder Mark Reid serves as chief customer officer.

Why now? "This transaction accelerates the industry's journey to autonomous mobility, giving communities the ability to implement meaningful services today," Reid said. Freebee shifted from an ad-funded free-ride model to municipal contracts in 2017, fuelling growth beyond South Florida.

The signal: The tie-up reflects a broader push to bridge today's human-driven transit with driverless fleets. Rather than betting solely on autonomy, the combined company is offering a transition path, keeping vehicles on the road now while positioning for a driverless future.

Read more: refreshmiami.com