Singapore to launch first test trial of driverless buses

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Singapore’s push towards autonomous mobility will soon include a pair of driverless buses, which will be part of a test trial operating between the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and CleanTech Park, and possibly to the Pioneer MRT station in the future.

The country’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) and NTU’s Energy Research Institute will conduct the trial, under an agreement signed following a request for information called by the LTA in June last year on autonomous mobility concepts.

The 12 metre-long single-deck buses will ferry up to 80 people each, and is powered by electricity. No mention on the expected range, but charging masts on the buses will allow it to charge at depots and at bus stops.

The support its autonomous driving capabilities, the buses are equipped with a myriad of sensors and cameras, along with positioning hardware, allowing them to operate without a driver.

“Current efforts worldwide have been focused on cars. So, this autonomous bus trial is the first of its kind in Singapore that will aim to improve road safety, reduce vehicle congestion, alleviate pollution and address manpower challenges,” said Lam Khin Yong, NTU vice-president of NTU’s research department, in a report by Channel NewsAsia.

Other trials of a full-sized autonomous bus include Mercedes-Benz’s Future Bus, which took a 19 km-long ride around Amsterdam back in June. The LTA hopes to eventually outfit existing buses with the technology, so they may effectively navigate Singapore’s local road traffic and climate conditions.

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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

  • lao yee on Oct 25, 2016 at 12:37 pm

    To their eyes, all these are world class tech for a world class country. On the other eyes in different view, it’s keep making Singaporean more soulless.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 4
    • policeman on Oct 25, 2016 at 1:38 pm

      Langgar…kenna saman ka??

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • Automamoth Killer on Oct 25, 2016 at 7:04 pm

        The small autonomous car already in accident on road test with a lorry truck last month,giving the fact their road is controlled at highest supervision.That small autonomous car still no takers to date.Now they bring in ghost bus for bigger incidents to happen.If sensors malfunction sure hit anyone like a bowling strikes.How to summon a ghost? Those city is super cramped tiny island need a proper real human monitoring not a killer machine.Probably a method for population control? But it’s good for them to be the real lab rat,be the first to test the impact of machine error.Coz we are facing too many human malfunctioning brain.. Mean machine ripped off life without no human guilt.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 3
    • They alredi souless. Need to claim other pipu’s as their own.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • Skynet’s job just got much easier. 1st country to fall is SG. Thank q LHL!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 0
    • fawzia on Oct 25, 2016 at 1:40 pm

      METROBUS asap hitam OK je…Huhuhuhhhu

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • basherlogic on Oct 25, 2016 at 5:23 pm

      No mention of Skynet in the article at all. Plain Lazy basher *Sigh.
      When U pay peanuts, U got monkey trooper instead.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 2
      • If u din see the writings on the wall, then u be the 1st to fall…

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Benisyourdad on Oct 25, 2016 at 12:47 pm

    Meanwhile in Malaysia…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 10
    • AutoFrenz (the original) on Oct 25, 2016 at 1:06 pm

      Let them do it la why you bother…let them suffer first…who cares…just becoz they want to do something first doesnt mean they are good…but make sure dont ever let the bus come to our country…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 5
  • Mikey on Oct 25, 2016 at 12:55 pm

    Go ahead. Let S’pore be the first to test as we do NOT want to be the one “testing”. It is always better to let someone be the first ‘tester’. Better be safe than be sorry.

    After some batteries exploded recently due to Fast introduction, does anyone still want to be the first to test !? Anyone disagree please state your reason’s. For this, i want to thank S’pore.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 3
    • AutoFrenz (the original) on Oct 25, 2016 at 1:09 pm

      Yeah i want to thank singapore orso…for making themselves a guinea pig…bravo bravo

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
      • Mikey on Oct 25, 2016 at 3:12 pm

        AutoFrenz (the original). Thumbs up. It is a common courtesy to thank someone for doing it for the benefits of us/others.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Better to hire driver..
    Nothing better compared to human brain..

    Salary so expensive aar?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Fiduaz on Oct 25, 2016 at 1:29 pm

    Meanwhile in Malaysia we are still using 20-30 years old buses with windows that can’t close and water splashing inside during rain and mouldy seats and smell and damp air and aircon not functioning in like 30% of the buses and those with working aircon the water will drip on passengers seats. And also the frequent breakdown of buses in the middle of the road. And buses that can stop and alight just about anywhere. Who needs bus stops in Malaysia right? Since the bus stop also roof missing or rusty with railings missing even. Hahahahahahahaha

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 6
    • Inb4 still in cave never seen TBS

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • Dawuud mohedeen on Oct 25, 2016 at 7:13 pm

      Saya ok sajar pigi hari hari bus juga kerja. bus lagi bagus cantik tada sama bus dulu kerja di bangladesh.trima kasih presiden najib dan kakak besar rosema bagi baik kerja itu cantik seju bus juga

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
      • Heck, even foreigners know how to appreciate our country compared to some “citizens”. Gud job! Kipidap!

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Meanwhile in malaysia.. university still configure to make biggest world calculator mock up…hahaha

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Vincent Ang on Oct 25, 2016 at 11:07 pm

    As usual Malaysians too stupid to understand the meaning of cutting edge research.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • Nope. We just ape other pipus R&D but bash our own.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • Vincent Ang on Oct 26, 2016 at 3:29 pm

        Sorry but we are not even good at aping others and we have no real R&D to speak off.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
 

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