The German automotive supplier ZF is breathing new life into the autonomous shuttle. He soon wants to build thousands of units of his robo-shuttle called People Mover. The most important innovation: the higher autonomy. The new edition no longer needs its own lane and can drive along in flowing traffic.
ZF wants to expand the business with autonomous shuttle buses. At the electronics trade fair CES in Las Vegas, the Swabian automotive supplier is presenting a further developed version of its people mover, of which thousands will soon be on the road.
Visually, the new generation, with its boxy body, is much more reminiscent of a minibus than the previous model, which seemed more like a tram railcar. Inside there is room for 22 people, 15 of them on seats. The drive energy is stored in a 50 or 100 kWh battery, which should enable a range of up to 130 kilometers. Initially, the shuttle will travel at a maximum of 40 km/h, later it should also be possible to reach 80 km/h.
The most important difference to the previous model is the higher autonomy. The new edition is no longer dependent on special, separate lanes, but can swim with the flow of traffic. Radar, lidar and camera as well as noise detection systems help with orientation. They are processed by a computer developed by ZF, which runs virtual driver software with artificial intelligence. The steering wheel and pedals are no longer on board. ZF therefore speaks of a fully automated Level 4 vehicle.
The ZF shuttle is to be used by the US mobility provider Beep, with whom the Swabians have entered into a cooperation agreement. Among other things, it provides for the delivery of several thousand vehicles for use in the USA. The companies did not give a specific timetable. Meanwhile, the first generation of the people mover remains on offer; it is to be used where special lanes are available for robo-shuttles.
