London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Feb 16, 2025

UK's First Driverless Bus Service To Begin In Scotland Next Week

UK's First Driverless Bus Service To Begin In Scotland Next Week

The service, which aims to carry 10,000 passengers a week over a 14-mile (22.5-kilometre) route on five single-deck buses, will be the world's first automated local bus service, its operator said.
The UK will roll out its first driverless bus network in Scotland next week with drivers on standby behind the steering wheel, ready to take control should an emergency arise.

The service, which aims to carry 10,000 passengers a week over a 14-mile (22.5-kilometre) route on five single-deck buses, will be the world's first automated local bus service, its operator said.

"The autonomous technology on this bus has been tested before but this is the first time that it has been put on to a bus that's now a registered local bus service," Peter Stevens, policy director of Stagecoach bus service, told AFP after a demonstration near Edinburgh.

From Monday, the buses, which will travel at up to 50 miles per hour, will have a safety driver to monitor the technology, as required by UK law, which does not yet permit fully autonomous vehicles.

Drivers do not touch the controls while the vehicle is in autonomous mode, and a conductor onboard handles ticketing and passenger enquiries.

The onboard system will detect other road users to prevent collisions, while optical cameras and radar will scan the road to check for pedestrians.

The control system includes an artificial intelligence engine that receives information from throughout the bus to determine its exact location and calculate the safest route to its destination.

Stevens said the service would be safer, more fuel efficient and would offer a better experience for customers.

'Technological Revolution'

"The system is designed to increase safety," he said.

"The driver has now got 360-degree vision, and the system can respond faster than a human can in terms of reaction time.

"There's always going to be a safety driver in the seat even when the bus is driving itself. So that if there is a need for them to take control, they can take control."

Stevens said the buses would be learning the route continually and collecting thousands of hours of data a month.

"As the service starts, we'll be collecting more data and then we'll be increasing the amount of autonomous travel," he said.

Bus driver Callum Jones said the service was "something new, exciting to see, part of our technological revolution".

"It's good," he said.

A driverless bus tested in South Korea's capital, Seoul, last year as part of an experiment that engineers said aimed to make people feel more comfortable with driverless vehicles on the roads.

In 2021 a driverless electric bus began operating in Malaga, Spain, in a project presented as a first in Europe with Singapore launching a trial of self-driving buses earlier in the year.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Elon Musk is Sherlock Holmes - Movie Trailer Parody featuring Donald Trump's Detective
Trump's Greenland Suggestion Sparks Sovereignty Discussion Amidst Historical Resentments
California's CalExit Movement Gathers Momentum Amid Ongoing Political and Economic Discussions in the State.
USAID Revealed: American Tax Dollars Utilized to Erode Democracy in Europe Until Trump Put a Stop to It
Pam Bondi Leaves Congress in Utter Shock with a Stunning Rebuttal of Adam Schiff.
Trump's Press Secretary SLAMS Republican Mitch McConnell for Opposing Tulsi Gabbard.
Brand Finance Unveils its Rankings of the Best CEOs for 2025: Satya Nadella Takes the Lead
Steering Through the Updated Chain of Command at the European Commission
Parliamentarian Advocates for Preservation of AI Liability Directive
Mark Rutte Calls on NATO Allies to Increase Defence Expenditure
Dresden Marks the 80th Anniversary of the World War II Bombing
Global Community Pledges to Assist Syria's Political Transition
EU Activates €200 Billion for AI Investment and Introduces €20 Billion Fund for Gigafactories
EU Recognizes Difficulty in Closing the USAID Funding Shortfall Due to Stalled US Aid
Commission President von der Leyen Not Present at Notre Dame Reopening Due to Last-Minute Cancellation
EU Establishes Disinformation Code for Online Platforms, Leaving Out X
EU Lags in Enforcing Essential Cybersecurity Directives
EU Under Fire for Streamlining Discussions on Corporate Sustainability Reporting
Shein Receives Further Information Request from EU During Ongoing Investigation
European Commission Initiates Investigation into Shein While Focusing on Chinese E-Commerce Regulations
Trump's special envoy for hostage affairs cautions Hamas against challenging Trump before Saturday's deadline.
Ukraine Confirms Territorial Loss in Russia's Kursk Region
Trump Declares Reciprocal Tariffs as Trade Conflict Intensifies
California Congressman Robert Garcia's Threats of Utilizing Weapons Against Elon Musk
Trump and Putin Address Ukraine Peace Negotiations in Response to Worldwide Reactions
Honda and Nissan Conclude Merger Talks
New York Fashion Week Highlights Iconic Returns and Emerging Talents
Trump Proposes Including Ukraine in Peace Talks to Settle the Conflict
Trump Supports Russia's Reinstatement in G7 Amid Continuing Diplomatic Strains
Zelensky Warns Against Placing Trust in Putin as Peace Negotiations Progress
MI5 Acknowledges Submitting False Evidence in Court Concerning Neo-Nazi Informant
Trump Asserts BRICS 'Is No More' in Light of Tariff Threats.
UK Introduces New Citizenship Restrictions for Refugees Who Arrive Illegally
Stoke-on-Trent Schools Face 'Astronomical' Repair Costs Amid PFI Contract Challenges
Employment Tribunal Reviews Use of Female Changing Room by Transgender Doctor
Projected Costs and Funding Dynamics of the NHS: An In-Depth Analysis
Scrutiny Over Rachel Reeves' Career and Expenses Claims Ahead of Ministerial Role
Sue Gray Introduced as Baroness Gray of Tottenham in the House of Lords
Fire Engulfs Primary School in Wales, Leading to Evacuations
Two British citizens apprehended in Iran amidst rising tensions.
Inquest Reveals Manipulation and Harassment Faced by Soldier Before Death
UK Economy Registers Unexpected Growth in Final Quarter of 2024
Ukraine's Role Central to Peace Negotiations, Asserting Global Sentiment
Winter Pressures Unfold at Royal Free Hospital Amid NHS Strain
Rachel Reeves's CV and Expenses Scrutiny Following BBC Investigation
Trump's Tariffs Loom Large Over Significant German Trade Exhibition
President Trump Resolves Legal Disputes with X and Meta Regarding Social Media Bans
OpenAI Modifies Approach in Response to Increasing AI Competition
Amazingly Good News for USA and the World: Gabbard Confirmed as U.S. Intel Chief in Latest Victory for Trump!
UK Business Leaders Expect Profit Increase Despite Regulatory Crackdown on the Shadow Economy
×