Initially, the Auto-Shuttles will be equipped with a human operator on board to intervene if any problems arise. Aurrigo intends to later transition to a remote overseer, who will not be on the bus but can intervene if necessary. This strategy aims to acclimate passengers to a driverless bus experience while fully autonomous systems are being developed.
“Cities face challenges such as reducing emissions, improving the safety and mobility of cyclists or pedestrians, increasing quality of life for citizens. Driverless shuttles or pods can be a game changer for cities as they address many of these challenges,” said Bani Anvari, a professor at University College London, which is working with Aurrigo on this project.
“LivingLAPT will deliver sustainable driverless shuttle and logistics services among various European cities by phasing out the need for safety drivers in shuttles & moving towards remote operators who overlook a number of services simultaneously.”
The initiative is a collaboration with the Living Lab for Autonomous Electric Vehicles, funded by the European Union, and spearheaded by the University College of London. Aurrigo's Auto-Shuttles are currently operational in Prague and Brno in the Czech Republic, as well as in Milton Keynes, U.K.
“This is the first Auto-Shuttle deployment in mainland Europe for Aurrigo, and we are delighted to be working with such a prestigious group of partners to move towards this important step in autonomous public transport,” said David Keene, the CEO of Aurrigo.
“The medieval, cobbled streets of Prague built before cars or buses were dreamt of are in stark contrast to the modern roads of Milton Keynes, which shows the importance of testing in multiple cities,” he added.
The Auto-Shuttle employs LiDAR technology, cameras, and proprietary software developed by Aurrigo to maintain a reliable and consistent understanding of its surroundings. The company states that it is implementing a strong safety framework to responsibly deploy its technology.
Source: Carscoops