Irizar unveils an autonomous version of the ie bus in Malaga
Today, the first autonomous bus of the Irizar Group was presented at the Malaga City Hall. A pioneering mobility project that will begin to operate in a few months, thanks to the bus operator Avanza, in the same Spanish city. The bus developed for this test is the Irizar ie bus model, a 100% electric, […]
Today, the first autonomous bus of the Irizar Group was presented at the Malaga City Hall. A pioneering mobility project that will begin to operate in a few months, thanks to the bus operator Avanza, in the same Spanish city.
The bus developed for this test is the Irizar ie bus model, a 100% electric, zero-emission vehicle equipped with a dual mode driving: manual mode and automatic mode (autopilot). It is 12 meters long and has a capacity to transport 60 passengers.
The first driverless bus from Irizar group
This first autonomous bus ever developed by Irizar is the result of the AutoMost Project financed by the CDTI (Centre for Industrial Technological Development) of the Spanish Ministry of the Economy and its aim is to develop technologies that allow for the automation of vehicles in urban and industrial transport applications, in order to significantly increase efficiency, safety and sustainability.
The most innovative aspect of AutoMost project is that, Irizar points out, it puts a standard-sized vehicle into circulation in a real traffic situation in a city and not in reserved spaces or restricted areas.
Irizar e-mobility and Datik among the partners
Avanza participates as an operator along with 11 partners, including the Irizar Group through Irizar e-mobility and Datik. The project also has the participation of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Insia, CEIT-IK4 and the Universidad de Vigo.
The bus will run from the port to the city centre, and at the beginning will be used to transfer the cruise passengers arriving in Malaga.
The bus uses a high-precision positioning and guidance system and will be connected to a control centre from which specific instructions can be given to each unit, as well as carrying out its monitoring and knowing its route in real time.
In the words of Hector Olabegogeaskoetxea, General Manager of Irizar e-mobility, «This bus is ready to start the pilot test in real operating conditions on a public road, in real traffic situation in the city of Malaga. This is the first test of this kind with a bus of this size in Spain. Without a doubt, these tests will provide data and experiences in the daily practical operation, which will contribute to advancing this great challenge for the future of the Irizar Group».
