Fusion Processing has unveiled the first Alexander Dennis Enviro100AEV autonomous electric bus, equipped with Fusion’s CAVstar automated drive system.
This is part of the Innovate UK-backed Connector project, led by the Greater Cambridge Partnership and supported by a consortium that includes Fusion Processing, Alexander Dennis, IPG Automotive, dRisk, and Gamma Energy. The project receives funding and guidance from the UK government’s Centre for Connected & Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV).
The new autonomous electric bus was revealed at an event held at Alexander Dennis’s technology hub in Farnborough. It will soon undergo track-based testing to calibrate the CAVstar system, which provides the vehicle with fully autonomous capabilities.
“This is a landmark achievement for Fusion Processing and our CAVstar system,” said the company’s CEO, Jim Hutchinson. “We are proud to play a pivotal role in revolutionizing public transport with autonomous technology. The testing phase will ensure that the CAVstar system delivers unparalleled safety, efficiency and performance, making this an exceptional solution for sustainable mobility.”
Once the track-testing phase is complete, the bus will move to Cambridge, where safety drivers will receive training to oversee operations. Following that, it will be launched later this year at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, a hub for world-class biomedical research, patient care and education.
Councillor Elisa Meschini, chair of the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s Executive Board, commented, “The Connector project positions Cambridge at the forefront of innovation by trialing autonomous vehicles on our roads. This initiative not only paves the way for more sustainable and efficient travel but also highlights the power of collaboration in shaping the future of public transport. The unveiling of the first vehicle is a testament to the dedication and expertise of everyone involved.”
Jamie Wilson, head of concepts and advanced engineering at Alexander Dennis, said “The completion of the first Enviro100AEV is a great milestone for the Connector project as we now enter a phase of vehicle testing to ready the technology for public services.”