Volvo and NTU to Trial Autonomous Electric Buses in Singapore

PR71838

GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Jan. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

     Volvo Buses and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore have

signed a cooperation agreement on a research and development program for

autonomous electric buses. The program is part of the Land Transport Authority

of Singapore's drive to create new solutions for tomorrow's sustainable public

transport.

(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/627270/Volvo_Logo.jpg )

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/627271/Volvo_electric_buses.jpg )

    For Volvo, this will be its first autonomous application in public

transportation and it has chosen NTU as its partner in this endeavour. Volvo

has already demonstrated the autonomous technology in mining, quarry and refuse

collection operations.

    The 12-metre Volvo 7900 electric bus is already operating around the world,

but the buses to be deployed in Singapore will be equipped with autonomous

driving technologies. This include GPS and LIDAR laser technology systems for

charting, positioning and detecting obstacles around the vehicle.

    "We are seeing fast-growing interest in both autonomous and electric

vehicles in cities all over the world. Together with NTU, one of the world's

leading universities of technology, we now have the possibility of testing

various solutions under realistic conditions in a major city that has high

ambitions for its public transport," says Hakan Agnevall, President Volvo Buses.

    NTU President Professor Subra Suresh, said, "Industry-academic connections

are key in nurturing an environment which promotes innovation, research

excellence, and technological change for a better tomorrow. NTU takes pride in

its strong industry connections, and this partnership with Volvo will pave the

way for future mobility solutions by developing and testing autonomous buses

right here on campus. These solutions will further strengthen Singapore's

vision of embracing autonomous vehicle technologies and enhance public

transportation."

    One of the autonomous electric buses will be used on Singapore's advanced

new test facility for autonomous vehicles, CETRAN*. Here, NTU's researchers

will in a fenced-off area be able to test new functionality and study how the

bus interacts with other road-users in various conditions. The second bus will

be used for tests in the bus depot in partnership with the operator SMRT. The

aim is that tomorrow's autonomous buses should be able to charge their

batteries, drive through the depots to the vehicle wash and park - entirely

autonomously.

    The cooperative program between Volvo Buses and NTU is underway and will

initially last for two years. The jointly developed autonomous electric buses

will arrive into Singapore in the beginning of 2019. Fast-charging stations

based on the common OppCharge interface will be supplied by ABB.

    *Centre of Excellence for Testing and Research of Autonomous Vehicles

    Volvo Buses is one of the world's leading bus manufacturers, with a strong

focus on vehicles and systems for long-term sustainable public transport. Volvo

Buses is part of Volvo Group, one of the world's leading manufacturers of

trucks, buses and construction machines as well as drive systems for marine and

industrial applications http://www.volvobuses.com

    For further information, please contact:

    Helena Lind, Manager Media Relations, Volvo Bus Corporation

    Phone: +46 (0)31-323 62 57

    Nur Amin Shah, Corporate Communications

    Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

    Phone: +65 6790-4714

SOURCE:  Volvo Bus Corporation