Volvo to develop autonomous buses in Singapore www.nhk.or.jp
Swedish auto firm Volvo will develop autonomous electric buses in Singapore in partnership with local entities, including a national university.
A signing ceremony for the collaboration took place in the Asian country on Thursday.
Volvo plans to develop the bodies of 12-meter-long, 40-seater self-driving buses in Sweden and elsewhere. Then it will test the vehicles at Singaporean facilities, such as the university's circuit, starting next year.
Singapore's government seeks to introduce autonomous buses for public transportation in 2022. Volvo says it is studying the option of participating in a bid to be held by the government.
Other automakers and IT firms are already test-running automated buses in the United States and European countries.
Volvo Buses President Hakan Agnevall said his company now has the potential to test various solutions under realistic conditions in a major city.
He added the technology developed in Singapore can contribute to future autonomous applications by Volvo Buses.
Published Date:2018-01-12