Hmmmm my opinion is that this is not what Cisco is testing...

Hmmmm my opinion is that this is not what Cisco is testing


Australian university wants you to name its new fully-autonomous bus
Australia’s Curtin University has built its own fully autonomous shuttle bus, and has launched an online contest to name it. The shuttle is 100-percent electric and can carry up to 11 passengers. It can travel at speeds of up to 45 miles per hour and finds its way through input digital programming, GPS navigation and and remote sensors. Though a “chaperone” currently rides in the bus to monitor things and can take over the controls manually if needed, Curtin University representatives say it is fully capable of operating without a driver. Beginning at the end of March, the bus will begin a regular route on the Curtin campus, transporting people between buildings. Read more and see a video of the shuttle bus on Curtin University’s website.

Curtin’s driverless bus

Curtin is the first Australian university to trial a commercial driverless bus. This trial will contribute to the growing field of research in automated driving technology.
Why trial an autonomous bus?

Once confined to science fiction, automated technology is now an everyday reality. Curtin’s autonomous bus will help contribute to research that will explore the safest and most efficient ways to integrate technologies into our lives.
More about the potential for driverless technology and the research we’re undertaking
How it works:

• The bus runs on 100 per cent electricity.
• It uses input digital programming, remote sensors and GPS to determine its route and navigate obstacles.
• The shuttle can carry up to 11 passengers and safely drive up to 45km per hour.
• A chaperone will be in the bus to monitor its performance, and can manually operate the controls if required.

Safety announcement

Curtin’s autonomous bus will be operational from the end of March. It will travel on a pre-determined route from building 304 to 408. The bus contains remote sensors, stereo cameras and GPS systems to detect obstacles, however, it’s important that pedestrians, cyclists and those operating vehicles be mindful of the bus if travelling along this route.

• Make an enquiry about our driverless bus trial
• Download Curtin's driverless bus route [.jpeg - 222 kB]

Opportunities

Curtin’s autonomous bus trial will contribute to the growing field of research in automated driving technology.
Potential positive changes of driverless technology

Autonomous vehicles will transform not only the way we commute, but how we engage with our community and environment. Some of these potential positive changes include:

• Safer and more sustainable transport.
• More mobility options for people who are unable to drive (such as the elderly or people with a vision impairment).
• Reduction in traffic congestion and noise pollution.
• Transformation of our urban layout (less roads and car parks required).
• More affordable transport costs.
• Increases in cultural connectivity and engagement.

Safety and responsibilities

• 90% of all car incidents are caused by human error. Driverless technology can help to reduce the number of accidents on our roads, and significantly reduce the costs associated with vehicle crashes.
• One of the biggest challenges for driverless cars is negotiating other manual drivers on the roads, and also protecting the technology from external interference.

Research opportunities

Academics from across the University are researching how we can better understand and use driverless technology. Research projects include:

• How autonomous vehicles can be successfully utilised by people with physical disabilities.
• How the technology can help develop global and regional navigation satellite systems.
• How autonomous vehicles transform the way passengers and the wider community understand their relationship with everyday technologies.

If you are a research academic interested in pursuing AV bus research, please contact the Chair of the AV Bus Research Trial, Professor Tele Tan.
Environmental impact

Curtin’s autonomous bus is run completely on electricity, which makes it environmentally friendly and reduces its carbon footprint.