Self-driving shuttle the Sunderland Advanced Mobility Shuttle (SAMS) has landed in the North East city.
SAMS is aimed at “revolutionising urban mobility and enhancing accessibility for residents and visitors alike.” Following its arrival, the focus now shifts towards operator training and equipping on-board safety attendants with the necessary skills to oversee and manage autonomous operations effectively.
The training phase starts in April and underscores Sunderland’s commitment to ensuring the safe and efficient integration of self-driving technology into its transportation ecosystem. The shuttle will soon be transporting passengers when it takes to the streets this spring.
Preparations are also underway to commence the mapping of the route, a crucial step towards creating a comprehensive and accurate map of SAMS’ operational area. By meticulously mapping the shuttle’s route, authorities aim to optimise its navigation capabilities and ensure seamless travel experiences for passengers.
The SAMS project will trial three self-driving, zero-emission autonomous shuttles, designed specifically for SAMS by Aurrigo, which will transport passengers on public roads between Sunderland Interchange, the University of Sunderland City Campus and the Sunderland Royal Hospital. While safety operators will always be onboard, the project will develop and demonstrate a cyber-secure remote supervision protocol, an important step towards commercial deployment.
The shuttle will run along an intelligent transport corridor, enabled by 5G small cells which are being installed along the vehicle route by Boldyn Networks.
The project has been awarded £3m by the government and matched by industry to a total £6m. The SAMS initiative is one of six successful CAM Deployment UK projects from the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) Deployment competition. The grants, which are part of the CCAV’s “Connected and Automated Mobility” programme, are supported by CCAV, Innovate UK and Zenzic.
The project is led by Sunderland City Council in partnership with Aurrigo, Stagecoach, ANGOKA Ltd, Newcastle University, Swansea University and Boldyn Networks.
“As we prepare to welcome the Sunderland Advanced Mobility Shuttle to our city streets, we are embarking on an exciting journey towards a more connected and sustainable future,” said Patrick Melia, chief executive at Sunderland City Council.
“SAMS represents a significant leap forward in our efforts to embrace innovation and improve the quality of life for our residents. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this self-driving shuttle will have on urban mobility across Sunderland.”
