Applied Autonomy, in action since 2017, has been working tirelessly to make autonomous transport not just a possibility but a reality. Here, they discuss their most recent project developments.
Applied Autonomy, a Norwegian tech company, has been working on several projects since its inception in 2017. These projects have ranged from software to working with various partners to bring it to hardware, but all have had a similar theme: Autonomous transport.
Working with several partners, they have now advanced their latest project to the next stage of testing.
The autonomous bus
Since spring 2022, Kolumbus has been testing an autonomous bus (SAE level four of five) on a short route with paying passengers in Stavanger, Norway. The bus performed well on this route, and now it has been deployed on a much more challenging route with lane changes in heavy traffic and driving at higher speeds. The current goal is for the bus to eventually operate at speeds up to 50km/h. The bus will also traverse a tunnel on the new route. No adjustments have been made to the infrastructure.
The bus is a world leader in both speed and handling traffic challenges.
About the bus and how it operates:
Applied Autonomy:
As a vendor of the software solution for supervision and fleet management for autonomous buses and vehicles, the operation in Stavanger has a clear mission. Our software solution, xFlow®, aims to automate transport from depot to mobility in mixed traffic, and to support the operator to deliver a service including many vehicles from a remote operation centre. xFlow is preparing for safe and cost-efficient transportation, addressing needed improvements to scale in an efficient way.
Without a driver, xFlow from Applied Autonomy is the missing link between the remote operation centre and the autonomous system in the vehicle from ADASTEC. The project in Stavanger is key to defining and testing use cases and processes needed to secure an efficient and reliable service with Vy Bus as the operator of the service and to measure achieved results.
We are very happy to be a partner and drive the solutions forward with Kolumbus and VY to support a mature and scalable solution, as well as good passenger-oriented autonomous vehicles.
Kolumbus:
“As a public transport authority (PTA), it is important for us to be a part of this groundbreaking project. We believe that self-driving buses will be an important part of the future public transportation system. It will reduce costs, increase traffic safety, and be an answer to the lack of bus drivers, which is already a huge issue. We are thrilled to co-operate with professional, innovative, and world-leading companies in this process, says Edith Nøkling, CEO of Kolumbus – the PTA in Rogaland County, Norway”.
Contact:
Jon Dagsland, Communication Manager, Kolumbus
jon.dagsland@kolumbus.no
+4792440056
Adastec:
“We’re thrilled to introduce our new route in Stavanger, and I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Vy and Kolumbus for their confidence in our vision. At ADASTEC, we’re not just about advancing technology; we’re about ensuring that every journey is safe, dependable, and accessible. Our partnership with Karsan has enabled us to integrate our advanced SAE Level-4 Automated Driving Software directly into top-tier electric buses in the production line, setting new benchmarks for public transport. As we lead the European market in this industry, we’re here to redefine urban mobility, making it a seamless, enjoyable part of daily life for the communities we’re proud to serve, all while continuing to be proud of our status as Europe’s first autonomous bus service.“ Chief Executive Officer, Adastec, Dr Ali Peker.
Contact:
Yasemin Us, Corporate Communication and Marketing Lead, Adastec
yasemin@adastec.com
Karsan:
With a 6-18m full electric product range, Autonomous e-ATAK vehicle, (which is a first in the world), European Market leadership achieved for years in a row with our e-JEST and e-ATAK vehicles, and our e-ATA HYDROGEN project, we are pioneering public transportation in the world as the e-mobility brand that can offer electric, autonomous, and hydrogen technologies together, creating a more sustainable future for future generations.
Contact:
Nurdan Derman, Marketing Communication
Nurdan.Derman@karsan.com.tr
VY:
The Vy Group is the largest land-based transport group in the Nordic countries who operate most passenger train services and many bus services in Norway. The company is owned by the Norwegian Ministry of Transport.
Contact:
Kai Kristoffersen
kai.kristoffersen@vy.no
Please note, this article will also appear in the seventeenth edition of our quarterly publication.
