Mercedes' autonomous Future Bus just drove through Amsterdam
Mercedes' autonomous Future Bus just drove through
Amsterdam
BY NICK JAYNES July 18, 2016
Autonomy isn't just for cars; Mercedes-Benz has created a
self-driving city bus, too.
Mercedes-Benz revealed its latest creation on Monday
morning. Called the Future Bus, it's the first city bus that can drive
autonomously.
Mercedes did more than just unveil the futuristic
vehicle. It also sent it on a 12-mile route through the streets of Amsterdam.
The bus uses Mercedes' latest autonomous driving system
called CityPilot. Like HighwayPilot, which allows the company's semi trucks to
drive more safely and efficiently down freeways, CityPilot enables buses to
drive partially autonomously in specially marked bus lanes up to 43 mph. All of
this is achieved with a human driver onboard to monitor for safety.
Future Bus can do more than just drive in special lanes.
It can also arrive at bus stops, pass through tunnels, communicate with traffic
signals, and brake for obstacles and pedestrians.
Unlike HighwayPilot, which Mercedes aims to send into
production vehicles by 2020, the German automaker doesn't intend to send Future
Bus' CityPilot system into production in its complete form. Instead, it will
implement portions of the system — like driving to and away from bus stops —
into its city buses. Additionally, Mercedes wants to use semi-autonomous tech
to improve the efficiency of its zero-emissions powertrains.
Future Bus does more than demo some production-intended
technology; it also shows how Mercedes envisions a more comfortable, tech-heavy
public transit of the future.
Specifically, in the "lounge" portion of the
bus, riders can wirelessly charge their smartphones through inductive charging
pads as well as check information on large displays.
There's no word as to whether future Mercedes trucks will
include such distinctive exterior styling to match the underlying tech. But
here's to hoping.
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