The city’s driverless bus has hit the open road marking the first pilot scheme of its kind in Scotland.
Inverness Campus has launched the new Navya electric shuttle, transporting staff and students to and from the nearby Inverness Retail and Business Park.
The vehicle, named Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Driverless Machiney, offers a capacity of up to 15, with 11 seated and four standing spaces available.
Trials of the Stagecoach run service will continue until March next year between the hours of 10am and 4pm.
No fares will be charged for a special introductory period until 1 October.
It is the first pilot its kind to be conducted in Scotland.
‘This pilot project is another exciting development’
The trial coincides with a project in Hannover, Germany, where trialling an autonomous bus shuttle between a tram stop and a new university campus is being undertaken.
Scottish minister for transport Jenny Gilruth said advances such as this help to put Scotland on the map.
She said: “We want Scotland to be at the forefront of the Connected Mobility and Autonomous Vehicle industry and this pilot project is another exciting development. This type of innovation shows Scotland is very much open for business when it comes to trialling this technology.
“I wish Inverness Campus, HITRANS and project partners every success with this pilot.”
The Autonomous Vehicle (AV) passenger service does not have a steering wheel, driver’s seat or brake pedals.
It is all done by computer and controlled by a satellite navigation system with sensors attached to the vehicle which pull it to a stop when it detects obstacles on the road.
Nearly 200 people entered a competition, run by The Press and Journal, to name the vehicle Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Driverless Machiney.
The intention of the pilots is not only to test the viability of a route operated by an AV, but also to test the technology required to use AVs in combination with other transport modes and better understand user perceptions.
Councillor Ken Gowans, chairman of The Highland Council’s economy and infrastructure committee, said the service will be a great addition to Inverness.
He said: “The Inverness Campus is an ideal location to trial such a technologically advanced form of transport.
“I found the ride felt very safe and enjoyable and the other passengers were impressed too.
“The bus travels at around twice the speed of walking and will be ideal for localised journeys such as shuttle services, and much more as the technology develops.”
Transforming transport delivery in Inverness
The Highlands and Islands regional transport partnership (HITRANS) got EU funding of nearly £150,000 to lease the bus.
The organisation is promoting the project alongside a number of partners including Stagecoach, who will operate the service, manufacturer Navya, the Highland Council and Inverness Campus.
Jayne Golding, HITRANS projects and policy manager, said safety will remain of paramount importance during the trials.
She added: “Safety is paramount to the project and all UK regulation relating to autonomous vehicles will be complied with. While the vehicle might be capable of driving itself without being controlled by an individual, an operator will be always present in the vehicle.
“The driving task will be delegated to the vehicle, but the operator will be ready to take control whenever they are required to do so.”
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