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Christchurch hosts first trial of fully autonomous electric vehicle

Christchurch hosts first trial of fully autonomous electric vehicle

Smart Shuttle will take the road at the Christchurch Airport in next few weeks.

We can see the potential for driverless vehicles to transform and enhance mobility and transport options on the airport campus

Malcolm Johns, Christchurch International Airport

The private roads of Christchurch International Airport will be the site of the first on-road research trial of a fully autonomous electric vehicle (AEV) in New Zealand.

The AEV trial will start in the next few weeks, but Christchurch International Airport unveiled this week the Smart Shuttle.

The vehicle, manufactured in France, can carry up to 15 people, has no steering wheel and is electric-powered.

Malcolm Johns, Christchurch Airport CEO, says the airport team is keen to understand how autonomous shuttles might operate at Christchurch Airport and how people may react and interact with them.

“We can see the potential for driverless vehicles to transform and enhance mobility and transport options on the airport campus,” says Johns, in a statement. “We want to explore the possibility of deploying autonomous vehicles to assist people moving around our campus efficiently and sustainably, so we formed a partnership with HMI Technologies to consider how we might make this happen.”

HMI Technologies is New Zealand’s leading Intelligent Transport System (ITS) provider.

We see that the AV vehicle technology is emerging at a rapid pace and there are opportunities for New Zealand to be at the forefront of this technology

Dave Verma, HMI Technologies

Dave Verma, director of Australasian Driverless Vehicle Technologies, explains the company's involvement in the trial.

“Firstly as an intelligent transport systems innovator, our R&D and business development teams will get vital hands-on experience. We also hope the trial will prove the efficacy of autonomous vehicles to commercial operators like Christchurch Airport, and to government decision makers. Additionally we want the New Zealand public and students to have the opportunity to participate and provide feedback on the experience.

“HMI sees that the AV vehicle technology is emerging at a rapid pace and there are opportunities for New Zealand to be at the forefront of this technology. We are an established operator and innovator in the intelligent transport systems industry, so are well positioned to be an early adopter and facilitator for trials and commercial applications."

"Christchurch is well known as the Garden City, but is also the home of innovation and creativity. Today's launch demonstrates this," says Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel.“Autonomous electric vehicles are part of our future. They are coming ready or not and I’d rather be ready. Christchurch has become a city of opportunity … a place where anything is possible. The significance of attracting this project to Christchurch at this time cannot be overstated. This is an incredibly exciting time in our history.”

Key partners in the research include the University of Canterbury, Christchurch City Council, New Zealand Transport Agency and Ministry of Transport.

The trial is expected to last two years, but the initial phase will focus on the following:

  • Understanding the infrastructure and operating requirements of autonomous vehicles when used at the airport;
  • Understanding the interface between humans and technology in using autonomous vehicles;
  • Developing information that supports and demonstrates (including to relevant regulatory bodies) the safety of autonomous vehicles both for use at the airport and throughout New Zealand; and
  • Developing knowledge and expertise relating to the development and operation of autonomous vehicles and the associated technologies.
  • At the Smart Shuttle launch (from left): Christchurch International Airport CEO Malcolm Johns; Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel; Transport Minister Simon Bridges; and HMI Technologies Chairman Mohammed Hikmet (Photos courtesy of Christchurch International Airport)
    At the Smart Shuttle launch (from left): Christchurch International Airport CEO Malcolm Johns; Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel; Transport Minister Simon Bridges; and HMI Technologies Chairman Mohammed Hikmet (Photos courtesy of Christchurch International Airport)

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Tags AIdisruptionEmerging Technologieschristchurchdisruptive technologyChristchurch International AirportCIO100smart machinesautonomous electric vehicleIntelligent Transport SystemHMI Technologies

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