New Flyer and Robotic Research partner on driverless buses

Bus manufacturer New Flyer of America has partnered with Robotic Research to develop driverless bus technology. The partners will deploy advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in heavy-duty transit bus applications. New Flyer says the partnership supports the Federal Transit Administration’s plan to assess potential risks, barriers and mitigation strategies associated with the implementation of automation technologies in transit buses. Both companies will seek to develop an Xcelsior Charge battery-e
May 21, 2019 Read time: 1 min

Bus manufacturer New Flyer of America has partnered with Robotic Research to develop driverless bus technology.

The partners will deploy advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in heavy-duty transit bus applications.

New Flyer says the partnership supports the 2023 Federal Transit Administration’s plan to assess potential risks, barriers and mitigation strategies associated with the implementation of automation technologies in transit buses.

Both companies will seek to develop an Xcelsior Charge battery-electric bus equipped with SAE Level 4 ADAS technology which, according to New Flyer, allows a vehicle to perform all driving tasks autonomously while monitoring the driving environment.

The technology will be tested at unspecified Robotic Research facilities in late 2019, with closed course operation anticipated for 2020. A trained safety attendant will remain on board to evaluate the demonstration.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Making cars safer for vulnerable road users
    June 2, 2016
    Richard Cuerden considers measures to improve the safety of vulnerable road users. The competitive nature of the car market has seen an increase in protection for those travelling inside the vehicle and this is reflected in the casualty statistics -but the same does not apply to those outside the vehicle. And with current societal trends such as ageing populations, an increasing number of pedestrians and cyclists encouraged by environmental policies, this is an area that authorities such as the European Uni
    Read More
  • ITS in the Baltic States: on the rise
    August 12, 2020
    In the Baltic states, on north-east Europe’s border with Russia, the ITS sector is on the verge of big growth, finds Eugene Gerden - but more
    Read More
  • US Automated Vehicle Framework to 'slash red tape'
    May 7, 2025
    NHTSA insists safety will be prioritised and 'unnecessary' regulation removed
    Read More
  • Running on empty
    May 2, 2018
    Drivers are an increasingly rare species on Europe’s commuter metros as unattended train operation is embraced. David Crawford takes a low-speed tour of the continent’s capitals to see what’s happening. Unattended train operation (UTO) is fast becoming the norm for Europe’s metros, on existing as well as new lines. November 2017 statistics published by the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) show the continent as having 28% of the global total of route km on lines operating at the ultimate
    Read More

Highlighted Content