Self-driving Daimler bus makes history

In a world first, Daimler Buses has demonstrated an autonomous city bus along a 20-kilometre route in the Netherlands

Automotive giant Daimler Buses has stepped up its offensive in autonomous commercial vehicles, with the company recently demonstrating the world's first autonomous city bus trial under real-life traffic conditions.

Conducted on Monday, July 18, over a 20 kilometre BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) route between Amsterdam's Schipol international airport and the Dutch town of Haarlem, the bus negotiated numerous bends, tunnels and traffic-light-controlled road junctions, while attaining its top speed of 70km/h.

Daimler Buses says it's the first manufacturer to put a city bus into automated operation in an active traffic situation.

Dubbed the Mercedes-Benz Future Bus, the vehicle is based on Benz's Citaro city bus platform but features an all-new interior and exterior, along with Daimler's CityPilot technology.

The brains behind the vehicle's autonomous operation, the CityPilot, builds upon the autonomous 'Highway Pilot' technology previously demonstrated in the Mercedes-Benz Future Truck 2025 and the Freightliner Inspiration Truck.

While Highway Pilot allows drivers of Mercedes-Benz's Actros or Freightliner's Cascadia Evolution prime movers to take a break from driving on the open highway, CityPilot sees this technology further refined to identify pedestrians and other obstacles, communicate with traffic lights and safely negotiate road intersections.

Like the Highway Pilot, Daimler Buses says the CityPilot is not intended to replace the driver – rather it allows the driver to take a break during autonomous operation, thereby easing some of the strain of the driving task.

Touching a brake or accelerator pedal or moving the steering wheel instantly disables the CityPilot system, handing full control back to the driver. Conversely, if the bus senses that traffic conditions are suitable for autonomous operation, the driver is invited to activate the CityPilot system.

The CityPilot system relies on a suite of separate technologies, including long- and short-range radar, a number of cameras and a GPS navigation system. Daimler Buses says the integration and connectivity of the cameras and sensors is pioneering, allowing the bus to gain a clear picture of its immediate surroundings.

The Future Bus has a modern interior with three zones – a 'service' area near the driver; standing room for passengers taking quick trips; and a lounge area for passengers taking longer trips, who can also wirelessly charge their smartphones.

The Future Bus brings with it many advantages, says Mercedes-Benz. While the CityPilot takes some of the strain out of driving, autonomous operation also delivers benefits in terms of fuel economy and road safety.

Dr Wolfgang Bernhard, head of Daimler Trucks & Buses, said the world-first trial ushers in the beginning of a new age for public transport.

"With our Highway Pilot, we showed nearly two years ago that autonomous driving will make long-distance truck transport safer and more efficient," he said.

"We are now putting this technology into our city buses and CityPilot. The system is a further development of the Highway Pilot, especially for big cities. It allows us to drive partially autonomously on specially marked bus lanes.

"This makes public transport safer, more efficient and more productive. More people can travel from A to B quickly, punctually and in comfort. This is to the benefit of all: bus operators, bus drivers and passengers."

The Mercedes-Benz Future Bus will continue to serve as a development platform; Daimler Buses is yet to mentions any provisional dates for volume production.

Take a look at the clip below to see the Future Bus in action...

Self-driving Daimler bus makes history

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