Keolis uses 5G to remotely operate e-minibus

Next phase of project in Stockholm will be carried out at Kista Science City
By Ben Spencer October 8, 2020 Read time: 2 mins
Keolis operates minibus between several museums in Stockholm (Source: Keolis)

Keolis and its partners are using 5G technology to remotely control an autonomous, electric minibus operating at Royal Djurgården, a tourist destination in Stockholm, Sweden. 

Keolis says the pilot is exploring how a system with a 5G-connected vehicle, monitored by a control tower remotely, can facilitate the safe introduction of autonomous electric buses in more complex urban areas. 

According to Keolis, this system can improve route planning and traffic flows as well as reduce operational costs and pollution. 

The 5G network combines high data speeds with low latency, which Keolis insists will allow the connected bus to respond in real-time to commands from the centralised control tower. 

The minibus is operating along a 1.6 km route that serves the National Museum of Science and Technology, plus the Maritime, Nordic and Vasa museums.

Ericsson is providing the technology for the connected control tower as well as 5G connectivity in collaboration with telecommunications company Telia.

Intel is delivering processing power to the IT system in the vehicles and the control tower as well as the mobile network.

Swedish technology firm T-engineering is providing the vehicle equipped with autonomous technology. It features seven seats and will drive at a maximum speed of 18km/h.

Commercial services run from Monday to Friday between 8.00 am and 10.00 am and 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm. A safety driver is present in the vehicle at all times. 

The trial will conclude on 8 October and will continue in Kista Science City in Stockholm with the aim of piloting the vehicle from a control tower without an operator on board.

Kista is the research park of the KTH Royal Institute of Technology.

It is used by companies such as Ericsson and IBM as well as a range of start-ups and universities in the Swedish capital. Companies can also test 5G and Internet of Things technology at its Urban ICT Arena testbed. 

Mass Transit & MaaS

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • 12th ITS Asia-Pacific Forum focuses on cooperation
    March 14, 2012
    In April this year, ITS Malaysia will host the 12th ITS Asia-Pacific Forum and Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur to further advance ITS cooperation and coordination between member countries in the region. In 1999, just a year after construction of the iconic Petronas Twin Towers was completed, Kuala Lumpur hosted the 3rd ITS Asia-Pacific Forum. A great deal has changed in the intervening 13 years, not least the scope and importance of the Forum’s programme. The 12th running of this event, being held from 16-18 Ap
    Read More
  • MTR Nordic launches app for Stockholm public transit disruptions
    March 4, 2019
    MTR Nordic has launched its MyHeadsapp travel app which it says will provide public transport updates for service disruptions on routes in Stockholm, Sweden. The firm operates and maintains the city’s metro and commuter trains in cooperation with public transport company Storstockholms Lokaltrafik (SL). Mark Jensen, CEO of MTR Nordic, says: “We have developed an app that gives travellers information about any disturbances on their own journey from start to finish, no matter how many changes you make.”
    Read More
  • T-Charge introduced to older vehicles in London to tackle toxic air pollution
    October 23, 2017
    To combat thousands of premature deaths caused by air pollution in London, up to 34, 000 polluting vehicles travelling into Central London every month may have to pay the T-Charge £10.00 ($13.00) which will operate on top of the Congestion Charge £11.50 ($15.00). Launched by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, the T -Charge applies to drivers of pre-Euro 4 vehicles that do not meet the PM and NOx emissions and has come into effect from 7.00am on 23 October 2017.
    Read More
  • Driverless vehicles will cause changes in society
    May 31, 2013
    Paul Godsmark gives his views on what the advent of autonomous vehicles would mean for the wider society. Further to your article ‘Driver not required…’ in the Jan/Feb edition of ITS International which gave some great background to autonomous road vehicle (ARVs), I feel that the bigger picture is needed to aid understanding. There is a ‘technology freight train’ heading our way that is going to transform our roadways but we don’t seem to be aware of it and, therefore, are in no hurry to react.
    Read More

Highlighted Content