Northern Ireland Consortium Receives Grant for Self-Driving Bus Development Study

A consortium based in Northern Ireland has received government funding to conduct a feasibility study on self-driving buses. The group includes Wrightbus, a bus manufacturer in Ballymena, and Queen's University Belfast. The funding comes from a UK government scheme that provides grants of up to £250,000 for studies on autonomous vehicle technologies.

The scheme supports various projects related to self-driving vehicles. These include studies on autonomous freight vehicles and driverless shuttle operations at National Health Service sites. Limited experiments with self-driving buses have occurred in several UK cities.

The Wrightbus-led study focuses on a phased, evidence-driven approach. It aims to test components and gather data to enhance safety and facilitate the introduction of self-driving passenger services in the future. The project does not target immediate deployment of fully autonomous vehicles on roads.

Andy Harris, head of research and data analytics at Wrightbus, described the effort as developing a credible, commercial business case for the future of autonomous public transport. This initiative aligns with broader developments in autonomous transport in the UK. Several companies plan to introduce self-driving taxis on UK roads by the end of 2023.

, the parent company of Google, has been mapping streets in various cities with vehicles operated by safety drivers. The funding supports innovation in public transportation amid growing interest in reducing human error in driving. Stakeholders include manufacturers, academic institutions, and government bodies.

Future steps may involve pilot testing based on study outcomes, potentially affecting urban mobility and transport regulations.