Abu Dhabi’s getting a driverless minibus

Coinciding with the F1 Grand Prix next month, the capital’s about to witness a new fully automated ride.

Txai’s all set to launch its latest fascinating creation!

A new fully automated driverless minibus is going to hit the roads of Abu Dhabi next month, to coincide with the F1 Grand Prix. A model of this minibus, operated by Txai, is on display at the Government of Abu Dhabi stand at Gitex Global.

A Khaleej Times report stated the bus would be free of cost, seats seven people and can accommodate a further four standing passengers. There’s one screen that would detail the route and all stops, and another screen for entertainment.

Currently, there are nine locations on Yas Island en route, including W hotel, Yas Water World, Yas Marina Circuit and Ferrari World.

“We have integrated a lot of digital maps, technologies, radar, LiDER and cameras to make this project a possibility,” said Sultan al Menhali, project manager of traffic systems at the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC).

He further added that the bus was developed building on the company’s experience with the pilot-robo-taxi, around for a year now. While there aren’t any drivers, there’s a safety officer manning them at all times. No history of fatalities will further help drive the public into the buses. According to officials, the ITC is tasked with establishing the necessary infrastructure for the use of self-driving vehicles within the transport network.

Txai, the region’s first driverless taxi service, is equipped with hi-tech navigating tools and saw passengers transported between nine stops.

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Image source Seven Media

Caroline D’Almeida

A little bit of India, a little more of the UAE, and a lot of shawarma perhaps best captures Caroline’s anatomy. An avid believer in value for money, her hobbies include putting the ‘elite lifestyle’ to the test. And finding cheaper dupes for it all. A Sharjah girl new to the capital, she hopes to discover the pulse of the emirate.