Two driverless passenger shuttle vehicles have been introduced in a pilot project in the Scottish Highlands, aimed at improving connectivity between Inverness Airport and the nearby railway station. The project features a four-seater Aurrigo Auto-Pod and a larger 10-seater Aurrigo Auto-Shuttle.
Currently, passengers must either walk the 1.2km route between the terminal and the train station or use a shuttle bus, which incurs a charge if the Go-Hi app is not used. During the trial, the Auto-Pod will cover approximately 750m of the journey, while the Auto-Shuttle will also provide transport around the University of the Highlands and Islands’ Inverness campus.
The pilot, which began this week, is scheduled to run until August 30. For safety reasons, the Auto-Pod will carry only two passengers, with a safety operator present in the front seats. The Auto-Shuttle will accommodate eight passengers, with a two-person safety team in the front cab.
The project aims to assess public perception of AV technology and evaluate the feasibility of an on-demand, low-cost connected and autonomous vehicle service in the region. The initiative is expected to enhance accessibility, reduce travel times and lower CO2 emissions, supporting Scotland’s net zero objectives.
Professor David Keene, CEO of Aurrigo, commented, “The aviation industry as a whole offers countless opportunities for this innovative technology to enhance operations, improve safety and transform the passenger experience.”
The project is a collaboration between the University of Glasgow, Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS), Aurrigo International, Stagecoach North Scotland and Darwin Innovation Group. Funding has been provided by Innovate UK and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles.
Ranald Robertson, director of HITRANS, commented, “The trial will test two different types of driverless shuttle with both operations providing a real test of what this technology can offer both at Inverness Airport and Inverness Campus.”