Urban.AV partners with Cambridge Science Park to “shape the future of travel”, with advanced CAV
ITS (UK) member Urban.AV is joining forces with the world renowned Cambridge Science Park to explore ways to deploy UK’s first operationally integrated, on-demand autonomous vehicle service — disrupting the public transport status-quo.
This partnership, part of the cutting-edge ASCENT® (Autonomous Shared Connected Electric New Transport) programme spearheaded by Urban.AV, aims to deliver an autonomous vehicle service between Cambridge North Station and Cambridge Science Park, providing a better traveller experience for the park’s 7000 strong commuters and visitors.
The service will utilise a new 5G enabled Zero Emission Mobility (ZEM) vehicle, the UrbanPod® Pro, which integrates human-centric design and state-of the art technology. The UrbanPod® Pro is a connected, autonomous, unmanned ground passenger and cargo vehicle that will shift Cambridge’s reliance on private cars / vans towards more sustainable, shared public transit systems. The work is supported by the Greater Cambridge Partnership, which has an ambitious target to get 1 in 4 people out of their cars and onto more sustainable models of transport.
The UrbanPod® Pro
Urban.AV’s revolutionary UrbanPod® Pro, a zero-emission, safe, smart and cost effective transportation solution is set to provide an enhanced travel experience whilst accelerating the much needed decarbonisation of our country. Driven by the world’s most certified and proven autonomous-driverless-system and its impressive array of ingeniously integrated sensors, the UrbanPod® Pro will provide exceptional safety and performance without compromising on looks.
UrbanPod® Pro passengers are positioned 3-facing-3 for enhanced safety and social-distancing within the flexible cabin, the fully electric and scaleable platform allows for bi-directional drive simplifying manoeuvring, enhancing ride-comfort whilst minimising the impact on existing city infrastructure. The vehicle is compact, symmetrical and provides panoramic city views whilst giving passengers 40% more space than a London Black Cab and includes front/rear luggage compartments. This is the first of a series of products being developed by Urban.AV that will include a variety of larger capacity and more advanced specification vehicles and a fully autonomous cargo version.
Ricky Sandhu Founder and CEO of Urban.AV said:
“Inspired by the first ever ‘car’ conceived by Karl Benz in 1889 with iconic, oversized wheels, the UrbanPod® Pro is an SAE level 4+ vehicle that will propel us into an entirely new and exciting era of personal-mobility and passenger experience whilst subtly reminding us of where it all began. Our accessibly designed and aspirational UrbanPod® Pro recalibrates what urban mobility could look like.
Autonomous vehicles will not scale unless consumer perception changes and design is a known-factor for automotive success globally and that’s why we are very motivated and committed to work with the city of Cambridge to realise our vision.”
