Minibuses without drivers launched in Britain

At the end of May 2021, the first British minibus without a driver was launched in Cambridge. An unmanned bus travels along a 3.2 km route on a university campus, METRO reports. The project is led by Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) and Smart Cambridge.

Aurrigo Auto-Shuttle self-driving buses are equipped with sensors, cameras and laser scanners that allow unmanned vehicles to safely move to Cambridge with its busy traffic and narrow streets.

The company said that initially three buses testing the new system will run along the route. During tests inside buses, just in case, there will be operators who must prevent accidents in emergency situations. At the same time, they will not be sitting at the wheel. The Auto-Shuttle route will run from the western campus of Cambridge University to Madingley Road Park.

The futuristic angular appearance of electric buses resembles the appearance of Lamborgini cars. The length of the unmanned bus is 5.8 meters, width - 2.3 meters, and height - 2.5 meters. The bus accommodates 10 passengers, and Auto-Shuttle is equipped with a built-in automatic ramp for people who move in wheelchairs. The speed of the unmanned bus will be 32 kilometers per hour, and the range on one charge - 160 kilometers. This will provide a 22 kW electric motor and a 47 kVt⋅ch battery.

According to British officials, unmanned public transport can improve the operation of the transport network, since robots are not tired, are not distracted and can work daily. Thus, the use of unmanned buses is safer and greener than the use of standard public transport^[1]

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