Stagecoach trials first full-sized driverless bus in the UK

Britain’s first full-sized bus with driverless technology has been trialled by one of the UK’s biggest transport firms.

Stagecoach tested the vehicle at is depot in Manchester on Monday and has released a video showing the bus moving on its own accord while driver Dennis Finnegan sits back and relaxes.

The firm says the bus used multiple sensors to move around the depot including radar, optical cameras and ultrasound to plan a path for the vehicle while detecting and avoiding objects.

It is hoped that this technology will provide future benefits during passenger journeys, such as giving a driver warning when a cyclist or pedestrian may be in a blind spot.

Currently, rules mean that a bus driver must remain on board the bus at all times during the trial.

However, the UK is in the process of updating its regulations around driverless vehicles.

Stagecoach also revealed that the software being used in Manchester will form the basis of another pilot scheme next year involving five autonomous buses transporting passengers between Edinburgh and Fife across the Forth Road Bridge Corridor.

Stagecoach chief executive Martin Griffiths said in a statement: “Stagecoach was the original transport disruptor, trying new things and breaking new ground, and that has never changed.

“This is an exciting project to trial autonomous technology on a full-sized bus for the first time in the UK.

“Our employees are the beating heart of our business and I believe that will remain the case, but the world is changing fast, particularly where new technology is involved, and it’s our job to lead the way in looking at ways to continually progress and improve our operations for the good of the many people who use our bus services every day.”

The news follows the launch of an autonomous grocery delivery service in Texas by American supermarket chain Kroger and robotics company Nuro.

The US-based service will deliver to customers across four local ZIP codes from two Kroger stores in Houston.

The driverless bus uses multiple sensors to move (PA)

Customers will be able to access the service seven days a week and will be able to track their delivery live on the app.

As for the safety of the public, the company states that its custom vehicle has a remote operator monitoring at all times, “capable of taking over in the event of a potential unmanaged risk”.