Daimler Buses is the world’s largest manufacturer of buses, and now leveraging their Mercedes-Benz brand and technology, have rolled out the Future Bus with CityPilot autonomous technoly, starting its service on Europe’s longest transit line in the Netherlands – approximately 20km.
On its route, the Mercedes-Benz Future Bus travels up to 70km/h and is able to perform its duties precisely, efficiently, and without incident. The CityPilot system is even able to stop the bus with centimetre precision at the bus stops at traffic lights it routinely encounters.
Additionally, it performs all the rest of the usual driving actions usually handed to a dedicated bus driver, such as passing through tunnels, navigate roads with other vehicles in each direction, pass through tunnels, communicate with traffic signals, and so on. The equipment includes long- and short-range radar, a large number of cameras and the satellite-controlled GPS navigation system. The intelligent connectivity of the cameras and sensors is pioneering, and allows a precise picture of the surroundings and the exact position of the bus.
Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG for Daimler Trucks & Buses: “With our Highway Pilot, we showed nearly two years ago that autonomous driving will make long-distance truck transport safer and more efficient. We are now putting this technology into our city buses with CityPilot. The system is a further development of Highway Pilot, especially for big cities. It allows us to drive partially autonomously on specially marked bus lanes. This makes public transport safer, more efficient and more productive. More people can travel from A to B quickly, punctually and in comfort. To the benefit of all: bus operators, bus drivers and passengers.”
Hartmut Schick, Head of Daimler Buses: “In addition to our strong product range, it’s above all our technological competence and innovative strength that make Daimler Buses so successful worldwide. The Mercedes-Benz Future Bus with CityPilot once again demonstrates our leading role in the bus business. We will claim this position also in the future. That’s why we are investing approximately €200 million in the further development of our city-bus portfolio. The advantages of CityPilot for our customers are clear: Our Future Bus operates fuel efficiently and with minimal stress on the engine. That has a positive impact on operating and maintenance costs, vehicle lifetime and availability.”
Of course, as you can see, there is still a driver seated in the usual spot and steering wheel where you’d expect one to be. However, he or she would only usually need to monitor the on-board systems.
A button press is all that is needed to engage the CityPilot system once it detects a suitable route for automated driving. From there, any activity the driver pursues (braking, accelerating, turning the steering wheel) would override suspend the system and grant the driver instant control. Daimler also says that the Future Bus is also more efficient on fuel thanks to an anticipatory driving style.
Inside, the Future Bus really does look like the future, incorporating an open-plan layout that let’s in as much natural light as possible while keeping as much personal space as possible for the passengers to feel comfortable and rested.
Sadly, Mercedes-Benz has not committed to introducing the Future Bus in other bus routes for trial nor do they (Daimler Buses) plan to put this into production. Instead, they plan to gradually integrate the CityPilot tech into its own conventional cars.
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