Delphi Automotive begins autonomous transport trials in Singapore – operational service to start by 2022

Delphi Automotive, an automotive parts manufacturing company, has been selected by the Singapore Land Transport Authority (LTA) as a strategic partner to implement autonomous mobility concepts in the country.

In an official statement, the company revealed it will provide a fleet of fully autonomous vehicles, which is comprised of six self-driving Audi SQ5s, employing advanced cameras, lidar, and radar in its autonomous system. The company will also develop a cloud-based mobility-on-demand software (AMoD) suite as part of the autonomous transportation project that launched on August 1.

According to reports by The Verge and Autoblog, Delphi will use the self-driving Audis on three fixed routes, covering a total of about 8 km. In the early stages, a driver will be in the car, ready to take over in case of an emergency. As the project progresses, the human driver will be removed, and if things continue to pan out well, the steering wheel could be removed altogether.

Of course, achieving that goal requires a fair bit of testing beforehand, with the Singapore LTA pilot programme set to run from 2016 into 2019, with plans to transition into an operational service by 2022. The primary purpose of such a service is to make it easier for commuters to transit the “first mile” and “last mile” between a mass transit station (MRT for instance) and their home or work place.

The move is part of the Singapore Autonomous Vehicle Initiative (SAVI), which was formed in 2014 to oversee and manage autonomous vehicle research, test-bedding, and the development of applications and solutions by industry partners and stakeholders.

“As a partner in SAVI, Delphi will use a foundation of the same vehicle technologies that enabled us to successfully complete the first coast-to-coast autonomous drive of the United States in 2015,” said Jeff Owens, chief technology officer, Delphi.

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“Developing a cloud-based software servicing capability integrated with the vehicle creates an end-to-end solution that will eventually allow our existing, and many potential new customers, the ability to enter emerging mobility markets,” he added.

The company has already completed an automated drive from San Francisco to New York last year, where another modified SQ5 completed the 5,472 km journey. It hopes to apply the knowledge gained from its various testing programmes to passenger cars, buses, commercial vehicles, purpose-built mobility pods and electric vehicles in the future.

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • kimochidesuneh on Aug 02, 2016 at 3:57 pm

    singapore is the best. thats why i like singapore and working in singapore!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 2
    • All hail masterrace southern neighbours! May they come and Save Malaysia and turn us into colony! Others dun dare persoal our basher logic!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • Yippie on Aug 03, 2016 at 4:49 pm

      Don’t u dare to compare Singapore with Malaysia. Singapore got married and have childrens fifty years ago. Their children are matured now and they are playing with grandkids now. Malaysia is still single after sixty years and still dreaming of finding some pretty amoi at the jungle. U got it?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • Susukotak on Aug 02, 2016 at 4:08 pm

    susah la kroni nak cari makan. naik kete turun mrt kete balik sendiri. petang nanti kete jemput balik. kete park kat rumah.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • KL Has Fallen (2017) on Aug 02, 2016 at 4:19 pm

    NEWS HEADLINE: Delphi Automotive begins autonomous transport trials in Malaysia… Said vehicles stolen after first hour of testing..operational service to start by 2200.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
  • inb4 saman $300 cuz vehicle driven unattended,
    another $300 cuz driving no hands on steering,
    another $300 cuz other drivers might complain,
    another $300 cuz polis no approve yet,
    another $300 cuz LTA no approve yet,
    another $300 cuz LHL no approve yet,
    another $300 cuz got no ERP transceiver,
    another $300 cuz have potential to kirr pipu like Tesla,
    another $300 as downpayment in case really kirr pipu.

    So grand total for autopilot on SG road? SGD$2700 per trip on the road. Dun forget to add 7% GST ya!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 4
    • Vincent Ang on Aug 03, 2016 at 4:00 pm

      If you had kept your mouth shut we would not have known how really stupid you are. Singapore’s public transport is at least 30 years ahead of Kuala Lumpur. Trash like you are just too stupid and scared to compete against Singapore which is why you make immature jokes over a matter of great importance to all MALYSIANS.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
 

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