HMI Technologies announces first autonomous bus to operate in NZ

In breaking news from the ITS World Congress, HMI Technologies announced that New Zealand's first autonomous bus will soon be operating at Christchurch airport. Following meetings at Intertraffic in Amsterdam and consequent conversations with engineers, HMI decided to purchase the vehicle from French manufacturer NAVYA. According to HMI’s Dean Zabrieszach, the announcement has already generated plenty of interest.
October 11, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
From left to right: Henri Coron of Navya, Ahmed Hikmet and Dean Zabrieszach

In breaking news from the ITS World Congress, 8502 HMI Technologies announced that New Zealand's first autonomous bus will soon be operating at Christchurch airport.

Following meetings at Intertraffic in Amsterdam and consequent conversations with engineers, HMI decided to purchase the vehicle from French manufacturer 8379 NAVYA. According to HMI’s Dean Zabrieszach, the announcement has already generated plenty of interest.

“Obviously, we’ve worked closely with Christchurch airport on this project but we’ve already received enquiries from other airports, government bodies and universities, all of which are keen to examine the potential for this technology,” said Zabrieszach.

“We’ve been watching the implementation of autonomous vehicles around the globe and we felt the best way for people to understand this technology, was to bring a unit to NZ.”

The NAVYA ARMA is electric and autonomous, it carries 12 passengers at a time and features multi-sensor technologies for accident prevention.

“The local regulations make it easier to test the NAVYA and we’ll let customers conclude just how much potential this technology has.

"Having the unit in NZ will also enable us to really understand the potential autonomous vehicles will have for our business,” he said.

Related Content

  • January 27, 2017
    New Zealand airport to trial autonomous shuttle
    New Zealand’s first on-road research trial of autonomous vehicles has been launched at Christchurch Airport, with the arrival of a fully autonomous Smart Shuttle which will begin testing in the next few weeks. Christchurch International Airport has partnered with the country’s intelligent transport system (ITS) supplier, HMI Technologies for the trial, which will use a French manufactured NAVYA ARMA autonomous shuttle vehicle operating on private roads of the Christchurch International Airport campus. Th
    Read More
  • September 9, 2016
    France to test autonomous bus
    French autonomous vehicle manufacturer Navya is to partner with transport operator Keolis, supported by Lyon Metropole, in a pilot which will see driverless minibuses on the streets of Lyon.
    Read More
  • August 2, 2017
    HMI Technologies partners with New South Wales for self-driving vehicle trial
    New South Wales government in Australia has announced the state's first automated vehicle trial, with New Zealand’s HMI Technologies as the project's lead partner. Taking place at Sydney's Olympic Park the public will get to experience short journeys aboard the automated smart shuttle after preliminary safety tests are complete. The self-driving, fully electric vehicle carries up to 15 people and is programmed to navigate around the scenic grounds, venues and businesses at Sydney’s Olympic Park. The trial i
    Read More
  • December 15, 2022
    Editor's comment: 'Workforce must see leaders who look like themselves'
    Diversity is vital for the future of transportation businesses everywhere, says Adam Hill
    Read More

Highlighted Content