Public transport operator Keolis is testing a new autonomous electric shuttle in Renmark, a city of 10,000 residents 200km northeast of Adelaide in South Australia. The trial is in partnership with the South Australian Department for infrastructure and Transport, EasyMile, Renmark Paringa Council and Flinders University.
The programme, which will run until June 2021, is designed to improve the ability of the autonomous shuttle service to run on open roads and demonstrate the ability of such vehicles to integrate and adapt to an urban area and contribute to the development of smart city solutions.
The EasyMile EZ10 autonomous shuttle will serve the Renmark riverfront and several key locations, including the municipal swimming pool, supermarket and other food outlets. With six stops along a 2.4km loop through the city centre, the autonomous shuttle provides a free hop-on hop-off service.
Visitors and residents will be invited to use the shuttle, which is particularly adapted to people with reduced mobility.
Tech used during the trial will integrate GPS, a range of cameras and sensors for odometry and extensive safety features, with information constantly shared between the shuttle and its environment and urban infrastructure such as traffic lights.
During the trial, an on-board security operator will be present at all times to take control if required, to guide passengers during their journey and raise awareness of the project.
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