Australia’s first driverless bus is on the open road

07 September 2016

Australia’s first fully driverless and electric shuttle bus, the RAC Intellibus™, has commenced the on-road stage of its trial in South Perth. The RAC Intellibus™ will carry passengers and interact with traffic, parked cars, cyclists and pedestrians as it travels along South Perth Esplanade.

Since the shuttle’s arrival in WA in April, RAC, a BCCM member, has been working with the State Government, specialist technicians and the vehicle manufacturer NAVYA to undertake significant testing of the shuttle in a closed environment.

RAC Group Chief Executive Officer Terry Agnew said Western Australia is leading the way in exploring the possibilities of driverless vehicle technology, with the RAC Intellibus™ trial set to be the first in the country, and among the first in the world.

“This trial is an Australian-first, and will be a real trial incorporating members of the public travelling on public roads,” he said.

“We anticipate this first step in exploring driverless technology will start a conversation on further trials, research and collaboration, which will increase WA’s understanding of how driverless vehicles can integrate into our transport system.

“The trial will help WA develop a roadmap of changes that will need to occur for driverless vehicles to safely transition on to our roads and become an integrated part of our transport system.

“The RAC Intellibus, which can transport up to 11 passengers and will operate at an average speed of 25km per hour, will make RAC members and the broader WA community some of the first people in the world to experience a driverless vehicle in action.”

More information is available online at racintellibus.com.au.