This week the first trial of La Trobe University’s new autonomous bus will take place in Melbourne, with over 1000 people expressing their desire for a ride.
The autonomous shuttle has been in testing around the University campus since November, making sure the technical and safety capabilities are up to scratch. After hundreds of hours in testing, the 15 seater shuttle is ready for its first human maiden voyage.
The public trial and feedback is being run by the Director of La Trobe’s Centre for Technology Infusion, Professor Ani Desai.
“The public’s participation is essential. The success of all new technologies stands or falls with the end user adoption. That is why we are inviting anyone, not only the technology enthusiasts, to come and give us feedback. This feedback will help shape the future of transport in Victoria,” Desai said.
The shuttle, dubbed ‘Autonobus’ will have a set route along the campus until July. The University will be trialling two models, one on-demand bus and one on a timed system with scheduled stops.
The Autonobus can reach speeds of 45km/h but will more likely average around 25km/h, is fully electric and uses light detection and ranging (LIDAR), stereovision cameras, GPS, odometry and autonomous emergency braking to detect and avoid obstacles and maintain its course.
Although the bus has Level 4 automation, which means it can perform all safety critical driving functions, it will still have an operator supervising while conducting the trial.
This isn’t the first autonomous vehicle getting around Australian roads, with the RAC Intellibus operating around the South Perth foreshore since late last year.
There is also a driverless bus planned for Sydney Olympic Park later this year.
With more and more autonomous vehicles popping up around the country, the question remains. Would you take a ride?