The first heavy-duty self-driving bus in North America

New Flyer Company, based in Minnesota, USA, is developing a level 4 automated bus capable of carrying up to 80 passengers.

The vehicle named Xcelsior AV has a design of 12.5 m long, containing 40 seats, along with room for standing passengers and wheelchairs. It runs entirely on electric batteries and uses exclusive self-driving technology AutoDrive developed by Robotic Research. When operational, expected next year, the Xcelsior AV will be the first heavy-duty driverless bus in North America.

New Flyer level 4 self-driving bus. (Photo: New Flyer).

According to New Flyer, the Xcelsior AV meets the requirements for level 4 automated vehicles, on the American Society of Automotive Engineers' five-level scale, meaning it can operate without human intervention. people but only in pre-established areas, different from level 5 - level where vehicles can drive completely autonomously on all routes and in all weather and light conditions.

AutoDrive self-driving technology allows the bus to map and navigate the environment through radar, cameras and LIDAR (a method of measuring the distance to a target by shining a laser beam at that target and receiving the reflected pulses using Sensor). Thanks to that, the vehicle can detect pedestrians, vehicles and other objects with 360-degree vision in both day and night conditions. Xcelsior can also communicate with vehicles and other smart infrastructure such as traffic lights and pedestrian signals.

Xcelsior AV prototype testing in Connecticut. (Video: New Flyer).

Xcelsior AV is a collaborative project between New Flyer and the Connecticut State Department of Transportation. The vehicle will shuttle passengers along transit routes between the cities of New Britain and Hartfort. According to New Atlas , it can operate continuously for 362 km on a single charge. The first prototype of the Xcelsior AV has now begun testing on a 14.4km route.

"Autonomous buses have the potential to improve traffic patterns, benefiting not only public transport users but also the entire infrastructure," Robotic Research President Alberto Lacaze emphasized. "Xcelsior AV is the missing piece of the puzzle for a safer, cleaner, more efficient and more accessible smart transportation solution for the public."