As AI computing power reshapes the globe at unprecedented speeds, modern data center campuses need “smart” vehicles that can keep up, too.
Data centers rely on rapid efficiency, which is why on-site, scan-and-go golf carts and low-speed vehicles (LSVs) are boosting employee productivity and visibility in ways that only automated technology can deliver.
As campuses surge with 900,000 square feet and 150MW of power, it’s no surprise that Joyride’s app-powered vehicle-sharing platform is picking up major momentum for this specific use case.
Here’s why data centers should introduce IoT-connected golf carts and LSVs into their campus ecosystems, and why right now is the time to start moving.
The data center boom: A growing landscape of massive campuses
The data center industry is entering a major expansion phase in the United States. How much so?
- Employment in US data centers rose from ~306,000 to ~501,000 between 2016 and 2023, an increase of over 60%. Census.gov
- The US data center market generated about USD $89.9 billion in revenue in 2024 and is expected to reach about USD $164.7 billion by 2030. Grand View Research
- According to McKinsey & Company, U.S. data-center capacity demand could grow by 20-25% per year in the coming years. mckinsey.com
What does this mean operationally? More campuses, larger footprints, more employees, contractors, technicians and visitors are moving across those sites. Whether it’s hyperscale cloud, enterprise colocation or edge-campuses, the physical expanse and movement needs are growing.
These sprawling facilities often require intra-campus transit, whether to move staff between buildings, inspect equipment outdoors, traverse cooling infrastructure, or shuttle contractors around multiple wings. That’s where scan-and-go low-speed vehicles come in.
Why smart, app-powered golf carts/LSVs are the future of campus mobility
Here are the core benefits of introducing instantly smart vehicles (those that are app-enabled, GPS-monitored and require no staff sign-out) to your data center campus:
1. Instant availability and staff-free usage
With Joyride’s scan-and-go model, users unlock vehicles via a custom branded or Revii ready-made mobile app. No paper forms, no manual sign-out, no attendant required. This means:
- Lower operational overhead for transport logistics
- Faster turnaround for technicians or site visitors who need a vehicle quickly
- Better user experience: staff don’t wait for keys, sign-out forms or permission
2. Full fleet tracking and GPS monitoring
Joyride’s backend provides real-time GPS tracking and usage logging for each vehicle. For data center operators, this delivers:
- Precise visibility of vehicle movements (who used what, when, where)
- Enhanced security (vehicles can be geofenced, usage restricted within campus boundaries)
- Analytics on utilization rates, idle time, vehicle availability, all supporting cost-optimization
3. Improved safety, efficiency and access
- Many data center campuses are large and may require traversing outdoor cooling yards, perimeter roads or expansive utility footprints. LSVs offer safe, efficient mobility for site personnel.
- Because the vehicles are low-speed and managed via app, you can enforce campus-specific rules (speed limits, designated lanes, hours of use)
- Reduced time wasted walking long corridors or between buildings, thereby enhancing productivity, especially for technicians who may be servicing multiple points in a day
4. Scalability and future-readiness
As your facility grows, the vehicle fleet easily scales. Add more carts/LSVs when needed, monitor usage and re-deploy vehicles to hotspots on-the-fly. The Joyride platform supports this scale.
Plus, moving away from paper-based sign-outs aligns with broader digitalization and automation trends within data center operations (e.g., automation of infrastructure management). After all, the modern technology taking place within the buildings should match what’s happening outside on your property.
Specific use cases for data center sites
Here are concrete scenarios where scan-and-go vehicles really shine:
- Technician rounds and inspections: Technicians can unlock a cart via their mobile device, drive to chillers, outdoor pump stations or remote modular units, complete tasks and return the vehicle, all without manual check-in/out.
- Visitor transport: For large campuses with training centers, visitor tours, or contractor onboarding, providing app-controlled vehicles enables safe guided mobility inside the facility.
- Inter-building shuttle: Between server halls, cooling plants, battery zones and support facilities, LSVs provide a low-footprint transit mode that is more efficient than pedestrian walking and less complex than full vehicle fleets.
- Emergency response or maintenance mobilization: In case of a fault or an urgent service issue, the nearest available smart vehicle can be unlocked instantly, improving response time.
- Shift changes and large staff movements: When large numbers of employees arrive on campus or move between shifts (especially for 24/7 operations), smart vehicles provide aggregate mobility rather than relying only on fixed parking/walk zones.
Why now? The confluence of growth + operational complexity + technology
With data center footprints expanding rapidly, the physical scale of operations is transforming. Larger campuses mean more intra-site travel.
Simultaneously, facility operators are under pressure to improve operational efficiency, reduce manual processes and deliver better service levels.
Smart mobility solutions, including app-based access, usage tracking and instant fleet analytics, are becoming standard in other industries (campuses, logistics, manufacturing) and it makes sense that data center operations should embrace them as well.
From a sustainability and cost-perspective, streamlined mobility means fewer idle vehicles, lower maintenance/overhead and better utilization. Greener operations also mean fewer wasted minutes.
Lastly but certainly not least, there is risk management. With GPS monitoring and digital sign-out, you reduce liability compared with informal vehicle usage, reduce loss or mis-use of vehicles, and enforce access control more effectively.
Moving forward
As the US data center industry continues its rapid expansion with new campuses, increased staffing and sprawling layouts, the need for efficient intra-site mobility is becoming unavoidable. The traditional model of walking between buildings, relying on staff-managed vehicle fleets or paper-based sign-out is no longer adequate for a next-generation facility.
By introducing app-powered, low-speed vehicles and golf carts with full GPS tracking and fleet analytics, data center operators can leap ahead in operational efficiency, safety, asset utilization and user experience.
At Joyride, we offer a turnkey platform that enables that transition, backed by instant data and vehicle access.
Contact us today to learn more by clicking here.
