NAVYA ARMA, the 100% autonomous, driverless and fully electric series vehicle for the last mile transportation is set to arrive in Western Australia under RAC’s new plan to trial autonomous vehicle technology.
French company NAVYA, specialists in developing innovative, intelligent and sustainable transport solutions for the specific site transportation of people and goods will be providing the RAC with its ARMA shuttle bus for testing in early 2016.
Christophe Sapet, CEO of NAVYA states « This staged trial in Western Australia with the RAC is of course an important step in ARMA’s development. We are delighted to be working with the RAC to develop new solutions that incorporate a range of transport options in order to adapt to new technologies, preparing the way for automated vehicles to safely run on the open road ».
“This staged trial, which is the first of its kind in Australia, will help members of the community, Government and industry consider the potential impact and opportunities of automated vehicle technology. Increasing levels of automation in vehicles are an inevitable part of the future, and the notion of them being on our roads is not a question of if, but when. ” explained RAC Group CEO Terry Agnew.
Details of the trial, which is likely to involve a number of stages, are currently in development and RAC is working through the necessary approval processes with Government. More information will be announced in the first quarter of 2016.
NAVYA ARMA is a driverless, safe, reliable and comfortable public transport vehicle that can carry up to 15 people. It has been designed to satisfy the specific needs of a driverless vehicle whilst optimising on navigation and safety functions. The shuttle bus is fitted with multi-sensor technology providing 3D perception that allows it to map the environment, detect obstacles on the road and interpret traffic signs. Its speed is limited but it can travel at up to 45 km/h according to requirements. The vehicle aims to complement the existing transport system over distances which are too short to travel by car but too far to walk.
The shuttle bus is the result of 10 years research and expertise which allows it to achieve the highest level of autonomy possible – SAE International Level Five - making it an entirely autonomous, or driverless, series vehicle.
About NAVYA
NAVYA is a French company specialised in developing innovative, smart and sustainable solutions. NAVYA develops driverless, automated electric vehicles that are independent of all infrastructure. These vehicles are a smart mode of transport and are therefore for the benefit of all citizens and society. The vehicle is equipped with a multitude of sensors and an embedded system that enables it to interact with its surroundings. It is also intended to provide efficient mobility solutions in terms of space and energy and has been built on sustainable intermodality and multimodality. NAVYA is supported by the “Robolution Capital” investment fund and presents an innovative and ambitious solution that has been developed to take up challenges laid down by today’s society. NAVYA benefits from major advances in technology in the driverless, electric vehicle sector thanks to ten years’ experience in the field and a highly qualified R&D team. Christophe Sapet, its CEO, is supported by a team of 50 people divided up between Lyon and Paris.