Autonomous vehicle software developers, Oxa, and electric commercial vehicle and passenger transport solutions specialists, eVersum, will roll out their first self-driving shuttles in Belfast Harbour.
The vehicles, which are set to begin carrying passengers from early 2025, will combine Oxa’s software solutions with eVersum’s automotive-grade hardware. They will predominantly serve the Innovation District within the Northern Irish Harbour Estate, as well as provide transport for tourist attractions such as the Titanic Belfast exhibition.
According to Oxa CEO Gavin Jackson:With eVersum, we can deploy passenger-carrying autonomous shuttle fleets almost anywhere and these flexible forms of transport will become widespread as a way of moving people and goods in a safer, more efficient and faster way.
The broader rollout of self-driving vehicles is starting and shuttling can lead the way as the fastest evolving commercial arena for Oxa self-driving technology to make its mark internationally.
The shuttles are a key development of Northern Ireland’s Harlander Project, an 11 million GBP scheme to introduce the country’s first fully automated shuttle. The project aims to provide sufficient transportation for a predicted 9.2 million visitors by 2035, an increase of 5.6 million based on current numbers (2.6 million). It is part-funded by Innovate UK, as well as the Centre for Connected & Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV), with industry support from BT, Horiba MIRA Ltd, Angoka Ltd and Zenzic.
Ben Jardine, Chief Product Officer and CEO eVersum UK, said:We are thrilled to announce our participation in the Harlander Project, a groundbreaking initiative backed by the UK government.
The project strengthens the recent partnership announced with Oxa and it will propel eVersum’s growth. With Harlander, and with Oxa, we are laying the foundations for commercialising autonomous driving passenger transport across the UK and far beyond.
Utilising Oxa Driver software components; the eVersum eShuttle is a mid-sized complete low-floor accessible shuttle bus capable of carrying up to 20 seated passengers, with space for a further 20 standing. It is part of Oxa and eVersum’s recently announced partnership to develop and deploy autonomous passenger solutions across Europe and the US. Oxa previously partnered with Beep to deploy a series of autonomous shuttles across the US.
The shuttle will undergo a period of closed operation during Q1 of 2025, with service opening for the general public following the completion of the trial run.
Mike Dawson, People and Digital Transformation Director at Belfast Harbour, said:Belfast Harbour has a long track record of delivering and supporting innovation, so we are delighted to be working with Oxa and eVersum to deliver the UK’s first operationally ready and commercially viable automated shuttle service on publicly accessible roads within the Harbour Estate. This partnership supports our Smart Port ambitions and shows our commitment to the development of Belfast’s Innovation District.
