Alexander Dennis Enviro200AV autonomous bus completes Dubai World Challenge testing

Alexander Dennis Enviro200AV autonomous bus completes Dubai World Challenge testing

Alexander Dennis and its technology partner Fusion Processing Ltd. are one of just six automotive consortia globally that the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai shortlisted for the competition, which this year focuses on buses. It has been organised in conjunction with the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport taking place in September, where a winner will be announced.

The vehicle submitted to the challenge by Alexander Dennis and Fusion Processing is an Enviro200AV autonomous single deck bus. It is one of five vehicles built for the CAVForth project, which launched its 14-mile route across the Forth Road Bridge near Edinburgh earlier this year as the world’s most complex and ambitious autonomous bus service.

In Dubai, the bus has been put through its paces on a test track that captures a near real-life experience of traffic conditions in the city. During testing, it completed 21 case scenarios ranging from autonomously bypassing obstacles safely to severe weather conditions like sandstorms.

In addition to the technology’s performance, finalists are evaluated on the value proposition their solution offers the RTA for a potential implementation in Dubai as part of its strategy for 25% of all transportation trips to be smart and driverless by 2030.

The RTA supports participants in the challenge with a mobilisation grant paid to each shortlisted company.

Alexander Dennis Head of Concepts & Advanced Engineering, Jamie Wilson, led the team in Dubai: “This has been a great opportunity to build on the great work we’ve done with our partners in the CAVForth project and test our autonomous bus under further traffic conditions. We’re extremely grateful to the RTA for giving us the chance to show the capabilities of our Enviro200AV and we hope to continue the conversation on how we can support the RTA’s strategy.”

Alexander Dennis Group Engineering Director, Chris Gall, added: “Our selection as one of only six finalists globally is a fantastic credit to the amazing work done by our engineering team and our partners at Fusion. Our spirit of innovation makes Alexander Dennis a technology leader recognised on the world stage.”

Fusion Processing CEO, Jim Hutchinson, said: “The successful testing in Dubai is another great step in our collaboration with the team at Alexander Dennis. Fusion’s CAVStar® Autonomous Level 4 system will allow Alexander Dennis to offer bus operators transformational improvements in safety, operational efficiency and cost.”