London (TAN): Trials for what United Kingdom-based international transport company Stagecoach Group claims to be the country’s first full-sized autonomous bus have begun in one of Manchester’s bus depots.
Stagecoach has partnered with Scotland-based bus building firm Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) and Bristol, United Kingdom-based intelligent systems designing company Fusion Processing to deliver the vehicle.
The trial, underway at Sharston depot, uses a single-decker vehicle that can function autonomously within the depot area and execute activities such as parking and moving into a washing area.
The first public demonstration of the bus was held earlier this week.
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“This is an exciting project to trial autonomous technology on a full-sized bus for the first time in the UK,” said Stagecoach Chief Executive Martin Griffiths.
“Our employees are the beating heart of our business and I believe that will remain the case, but the world is changing fast, particularly where new technology is involved, and it’s our job to lead the way in looking at ways to continually progress and improve our operations for the good of the many people who use our bus services every day,” he added.
The bus uses Fusion Processing’s CAVstar system – constituting several sensors, such as radar, ultrasound, optical cameras, and satellite navigation to detect and avoid obstacles, and determine an ideal path.
CEO of Fusion Processing Ltd Jim Hutchinson said: “Our CAVstarsensor and control system has now been successfully applied to vehicles ranging in size from two-seater electric vehicles right up to a 12m, 43 seat seater bus. Today offers a glimpse of how future bus depots can be automated for improved safety and efficiency.”
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“Alexander Dennis is at the forefront of innovation in the bus industry. This trial allows us to evaluate potential benefits of autonomous technology in a real-world scenario, and feeds into our extensive work to further improve the safety of buses with the help of state-of-the-art technology,” said Colin Robertson, Chief Executive, ADL.
The high-tech software will also form the basis for an upcoming trial in 2020 in which five autonomous buses will transport passengers between Fife and Edinburgh, across the Forth Road Bridge Corridor in Scotland.
“Our advanced driver-assistance systems such as CycleEye already offer improved operational safety for buses and HGV’s today, and we anticipate further new ADAS products as spin offs from the AV bus project. Beyond this trial we look forward to continue our collaboration with Stagecoach and Alexander Dennis Limited delivering the world’s first large scale autonomous bus service in Edinburgh in 2020,” Hutchinson added.
Stagecoach said the buses will employ a Level 4 standard of autonomy, which means a safety driver will need to be on board to comply with the United Kingdom regulations.
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The government Innovate UK fund worth GBP 4.35 million was awarded to the CAVForth project team, comprising Stagecoach along with partners Transport Scotland, Alexander Dennis Limited, Fusion Processing Ltd, ESP Group, Edinburgh Napier University and University of West of England.
