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BUSTECH ELECTRIC BUS TO EMBRACE AUTONOMOUS TECHNOLOGY; SOUTH OZ MANUFACTURING WINS

A UNIQUE AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE research and development opportunity has arisen via a local and international business partnership that puts South Australian manufacturing in the spotlight, it's reported.

Australian mass transit specialist Transit Australia Group (TAG) and international electric driverless technology company EasyMile will join forces to endeavour autonomous EV technology and applications here in Australia, with South Australia’s Precision Buses a key player in the mix.

TAG is one of Australia’s largest privately owned mass transit companies, with a unique end-to-end offering that includes bus design and manufacturing, urban network design, planning and operation, and workforce development and training, it’s stated. Its advanced bus manufacturing arm is Queensland’s Bustech – Australia’s only bus OEM (original equipment manufacturer) with chassis designed, engineered and made in-house.

EasyMile currently operates in Asia-Pacific, Middle-East, America and Europe, with its flagship vehicle, the EZ10 driverless electric shuttle bus, carrying up to 15 passengers (eight seated and seven standing) and travelling at a speed of up to 45km/h, as claimed.

The EZ10 can operate in diverse environments including on existing roadway and public infrastructure utilising EasyMile’s proprietary software – and several public trials of the vehicle are already slated for Australia and New Zealand this year under the new partnership, it’s reported.

TAG’s mass transit capabilities and experience nationally will be critical in supporting the integration of the vehicles into public transport systems with a focus on deployment, operations and maintenance during the trials, the organisation states.

TAG CEO Michael McGee says the partnership approach offered governments the opportunity to undertake a robust exanimation of how autonomous vehicle technology could be used as a mobility solution.

“We have combined world-leading autonomous vehicle products and technology with our expertise and innovation in designing and operating mass transit networks,” McGee said.

“This is an exciting opportunity for us to work with a world leader and to explore how we can integrate this emerging technology into existing public transport systems as a ‘first and last mile’ mobility solution.”

 Related article: Space-age Bustech electric bus revealed
Related article: Space-age Bustech electric bus revealed

The partnership will be based at TAG’s joint venture Precision Buses, an advanced manufacturing and mobility hub in Adelaide’s northern suburbs that also houses supercar company Brabham Automotive and automotive suspension systems provider Supashock.

“Through Precision Buses we are helping to transition decades of existing advanced manufacturing expertise away from automotive and into next generation urban transport vehicles,” McGee said.

“Adding a world-leading autonomous electric vehicle technology company like EasyMile to the mix demonstrates our commitment to technology, investment and employment in South Australia.”

McGee says the partnership with EasyMile presented further research and development opportunities within the autonomous vehicle market, including developing an autonomous version of TAG’s (nee: Bustech’s) ZDi electric urban bus.

“South Australia has the opportunity to benefit immensely in all areas of this emerging industry,” he said.

“Our immediate focus is on working with EasyMile to deliver successful trials across Asia-Pacific and expanding our local knowledge, skills and capabilities around driverless bus technology, operations and maintenance.”

“However, as the market for autonomous electric vehicles matures we are well positioned through Precision Buses to locally manufacture and assemble autonomous vehicles – and this is something we are very excited about for South Australia.”

“Our ZDi electric bus, which is already manufactured in Adelaide and being trialled on the city’s public transport network, has flexible architecture allowing easy adaptation and integration of new driveline technology and autonomous control systems.”

“We are also already exploring opportunities to locally manufacture and assemble EasyMile’s vehicles in Adelaide.”

Head of EasyMile Asia-Pacific Simon Pearce says TAG’s fully integrated solution was a critical advantage in delivering Easy Mile’s autonomous electric vehicles into any market.

“From operations through to maintenance and support, TAG has full service capabilities and we are delighted to be collaborating with a company equally passionate about developing an innovative autonomous vehicle hub in South Australia, which creates significant employment opportunities and local economic benefit.”

The first public trial of EasyMile’s driverless electric shuttle bus under the new partnership will be announced later this year, according to TAG.

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