Singapore driverless car to ply NUS campus
29 Jan 2014|5,512 views
The Straits Times reported that a new driverless car will start plying the National University of Singapore (NUS) campus in tests that may one day see such vehicles shuttling people from their homes to destinations like MRT stations. The Singapore-made car, called the Shared Computer Operated Transport, or Scot, was launched yesterday by the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) and NUS.
Starting with a Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric car, the researchers retrofitted it at a cost of $30,000 so that it will drive on programmed routes. The car, which seats four and has a top speed of 130km/h, uses laser sensors with a 30-metre range to detect and avoid obstacles in its path. It also uses remote sensing technology that allows it to function without relying on the Global Positioning System (GPS).
It could help solve cities' 'first-and last-mile problems' - the initial and final legs of journeys between home and transportation hubs that often cause congestion and air pollution. "Such vehicles could be especially relevant to Singapore given its ageing population, which means an increasing number of people with mobility issues," said SMART lead investigator Emilio Frazzoli. He added that it would also make car sharing more effective.
Researchers will continue testing the car in 'controlled' environments such as the university campus and hospital or resort grounds to ensure its road-worthiness. They hope to be able to use it as a shuttle service in NUS within 1.5 years of further testing.
The Straits Times reported that a new driverless car will start plying the National University of Singapore (NUS) campus in tests that may one day see such vehicles shuttling people from their homes to destinations like MRT stations. The Singapore-made car, called the Shared Computer Operated Transport, or Scot, was launched yesterday by the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) and NUS.
Starting with a Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric car, the researchers retrofitted it at a cost of $30,000 so that it will drive on programmed routes. The car, which seats four and has a top speed of 130km/h, uses laser sensors with a 30-metre range to detect and avoid obstacles in its path. It also uses remote sensing technology that allows it to function without relying on the Global Positioning System (GPS).
It could help solve cities' 'first-and last-mile problems' - the initial and final legs of journeys between home and transportation hubs that often cause congestion and air pollution. "Such vehicles could be especially relevant to Singapore given its ageing population, which means an increasing number of people with mobility issues," said SMART lead investigator Emilio Frazzoli. He added that it would also make car sharing more effective.
Researchers will continue testing the car in 'controlled' environments such as the university campus and hospital or resort grounds to ensure its road-worthiness. They hope to be able to use it as a shuttle service in NUS within 1.5 years of further testing.
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