Autonomous Bus

The world’s first autonomous bus was recently unveiled in Singapore. The introduction of the Volvo AB7900 represents a key milestone for the industry in general as well as an important step forward in creating cleaner, safer, smarter cities.

The newly designed vehicle is 12 meters long and has a capacity of 93 passengers. The fully electric vehicle produces zero emissions and will use 80 percent less energy than an equivalent-sized diesel bus. It also includes light detection and ranging sensors (LIDAR), 3D stereo-vision cameras, a global navigation satellite system and an operating system with artificial intelligence (AI) that is backed up by cybersecurity measures to ensure accurate navigation and safety.

Singapore is rated second only to the Netherlands as one of the best-prepared countries in the world for autonomous vehicles. With its high urban density, autonomous electric buses, which can transport much larger numbers of people than cars and taxis, will have a tremendous impact on overall mobility, accessibility and sustainable development within the city, while improving air quality.

The vehicle will undergo extensive testing before being placed into operation.