Aurrigo and PowerHUB tests autonomous Bus in Prague Exhibition
The autonomous vehicles are made to follow predefined routes without human assistance.
Coventry, United Kingdom- Aurrigo., an British transport company , has announced its role in the EU-Funded Living Lab for Autonomous Electric Vehicles, in which its Auto-Shuttle vehicles will operate with a safety driver on board while working toward the use of remote supervisor monitoring. This marks the beginning of a new age for public transportation autonomy.
The presentation of these self-driving minibuses is a collaborative effort between the city of Prague, research company PowerHUB, and Aurrigo, offering an exciting glimpse into the world of autonomous transportation.
The autonomous vehicles are made to follow predefined routes without human assistance. With a variety of sensors, they can detect obstructions, change their speed, and even stop if unexpected obstructions or pedestrians come into their route.
The autonomous minibuses have a 30-horsepower electric motor that allows them to travel over 120 kilometers on a single charge and attain speeds of up to 20 kilometers per hour. Up to eight people can fit inside these minibuses, and there is a designated area for wheelchair users who can enter the vehicle with ease through a ramp.
An operator is present inside the minibus during the testing phase at the Prague Exhibition Grounds. The human supervisor acts as a safety measure, prepared to take over in cases where the autonomous system may need human intervention, guaranteeing the security and comfort of the passengers.
The innovative project is supported by EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute for Innovation and Technology. EIT Urban Mobility aims to drive positive changes in mobility, enhancing urban living conditions through innovative transportation solutions.
Mr David Keene, Aurrigo, as CEO said that, Even though we operate globally, this is Aurrigo's first Auto-Shuttle deployment in mainland Europe. We are excited to be collaborating with such an esteemed collection of partners to advance towards this crucial stage in autonomous public transportation. Prague's historic cobblestone streets, which were constructed before automobiles or buses were even thought of, stand in stark contrast to Milton Keynes' contemporary streets, demonstrating the value of conducting tests in several different cities.
The Auto-Shuttle's Aurrigo technology suite combines LiDAR, cameras, and proprietary algorithms to provide it a continuous, 3D, all-weather view of its surroundings. This improves safety and efficiency.
The Aurrigo Auto-Shuttle is the ideal vehicle for this project, according to Keene. "This level of integration is vital when breaking new ground in driverless technology," he added. "We create the vehicle, software and autonomous driving hardware in-house, to work in perfect harmony."
