It’s a marvel what wonders technology has accomplished. It’s a marvel too, at what speed it has evolved. From the invention of the steam engine, and the printing press, to the computer, and now AI, technology has become a huge part of our human experience, and its advancement is growing fast.
The new tech advancement
The latest breakthrough is perhaps the most monumental of all. This could mark the beginning of the much anticipated transition into futuristic urban living. Self-driving electric buses are soon to make a crucially influential appearance. Its first display will showcase in the innovative hub of Milton Keynes. The city will act as a blueprint for its UK-wide deployment.
Ohmio Lift is the name of this driverless shuttle bus. It is operated by StreetCAV and is a ‘plug-and-play’ shuttle led by Smart City Consultancy (SMCCL). StreetCAV has partnered with Milton Keynes City Council and other private and public sector organisations, like Ohmio, BT, CableFree, and Electronics Computers and Systems (ECS), to deliver this project to the public. It aims to push the world into a more sustainable way of living, and reduce congestion to create a cleaner environment.
SMCCL Director, Ian Pulford, when commenting on the announcement of this new project, said:
“The StreetCAV project has been going on for some time now so we are absolutely thrilled that it is finally at a stage where we can reveal it to the world. Thanks to the partners we’ve been fortunate to involve in the project, we truly believe we have developed a solution which can change the future of urban mobility, while making our towns and cities smarter, greener, and more inclusive.”
Funding the project
The project is funded by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV), an organisation that is part of the Department for Transport and the Department for Business and Trade. Milton Keynes has secured £2m from the government’s £18.5m budget for projects that will strengthen the UK’s automated chain. This will contribute to the trial of the new self-driving technology.
It is supported by CAM Testbed UK, which is owned by Zenzic. This offers investors the opportunity to develop connected and automated mobility technologies from idea to commercialisation. Zenzic was established by government and industry to help the UK become a world-leader in the development of self-driving and connected vehicles. Over the years, the organisation has provided more than £100m to fund projects through its programmes. Mark Cracknell, a programme director at Zenzic, says:
“We are proud to have supported the development of StreetCAV and to have worked with all of the partners involved in this pioneering project. Should the trial prove a success, it could lay the foundations for a more connected, inclusive, and resilient transportation network, not only for Milton Keynes, but for towns and cities across the globe.”
The trial and its operation
The trial for the StreetCAV driverless bus is set to begin this month, December 2024. It will operate between the city’s central railway station and shopping centre. If everything goes to plan, the public will be able to use the service from early next year. This will act as a pilot for the Milton Keynes AutoTram, which will provide environmentally-friendly self-driving shuttle connections for the most popular routes across the city.
Safety precautions
The vehicles will need uninterrupted communications to ensure that they maintain full awareness of the environment around them. This will make their autonomous decision-making fully active, and will guarantee absolute safety on the roads along the different routes.
To enforce the safety measures, the vehicles will be monitored in a city centre control room, which will be connected by a specifically designed communications network provided by CableFree. This will allow the driverless vehicles to be supervised and managed remotely.
SMCCL will introduce features that will ensure that an integrated travel ecosystem is well established: first to connect the vehicles with other road-users, including drivers, scooter-users, and vulnerable pedestrians; and second, to connect the vehicles with traffic lights and other roadside signals and sensors.
A plug-and-play roadside connectivity has also been created to ensure that all services are operating smoothly. This will enable the self-driving shuttles, and many different services, like the robotic and drone-based services, to operate and maintain their connections, wherever they go.
Ohmio Lift wins Vehicle of the Year award
This new piece of technology is not only breaking ground because of its significant impact on our modern society. Its sleek design has also gained attention. In November 2024, the Ohmio Lift won Vehicle of the Year at the Self-Driving Industry Awards in Margate. The award was hosted by Cars of the Future, which recognises the best in the driverless vehicle industry.
The future is self-driving vehicles
The invention of the Ohmio Lift driverless bus is only the beginning of what is a fast-approaching market of self-driving vehicles. By 2035, 40% of new cars in the UK could have self-driving capabilities. This will be the future of road travel. Regardless of your thoughts, it seems undeniable to say, that the future is in our midst.
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