Electric driverless vehicles to feature at LCV2015

14 Aug 2015

LUTZ Pathfinder project

The LUTZ Pathfinder project, using electric self-driving pods which are programmed to optimise energy use and which will be on the streets of Milton Keynes later this year, will be showcased at the UK’s leading low carbon vehicle event, LCV2015, on 9/10 September.

The Transport Systems Catapult will showcase the LUTZ Pathfinder project, which features driverless vehicles incorporating low carbon technologies.

The LUTZ Pathfinder self-driving pods project will be the first UK trial of automated vehicle technology in public pedestrianised spaces, using designated stretches agreed with partners at Milton Keynes Council. Findings from the project will also be fed into the larger-scale UK Autodrive programme which is set to deploy a larger fleet of 40 pods along with “regular” road-based cars as part of a ground-breaking two-city trial in Milton Keynes and Coventry.

The TSC stand will also feature a virtual reality experience utilising an Occulus Rift that will allow visitors to interact with the pods in a virtual Milton Keynes.

LCV2015 is the UK’s largest technology showcasing and networking event for the UK low carbon vehicle community (www.cenex-lcv.co.uk), and is taking place on 9th and 10th September at Millbrook Proving Ground.

Transport Systems Catapult CEO Steve Yianni commented: “Low Carbon solutions are quickly revolutionising the way people choose their car. However, technological developments will not stop at alternative drive technology. We are already looking at how autonomous technology, connected vehicles and smart infrastructure can maximize the potential of these new drive systems.

The LUTZ pods are sustainably run on a lithium ion battery connected to an electric motor, which can be recharged in a similar way to existing models of electric car. Such vehicles have huge implications for addressing climate change: road transport currently contributes about one-fifth of the EU’s total CO2 emissions, which could be significantly reduced with autonomous systems designed to travel efficiently.”

The Transport Systems Catapult, which is also sponsoring LCV2015, is one of an elite network of not-for-profit technology and innovation centres established and overseen by the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK.

www.ts.catapult.org.uk