The Spanish capital has been circulating its first autonomous bus with passengers, manufactured in Spain, in a pilot project that aims to bring citizens closer to the mobility of the future and to test technology in real traffic.
The fully electric and connected vehicle has been operating since September 15 at Casa de Campo, the largest urban park in Madrid, with free trips and defined calendar. The initiative brings together the Municipal Transport Company (EMT) and the Galicia Automotive Technology Center (CTAG) and wants to evaluate how these mini -authors can complement the public network and respond, in particular, to the lack of drivers that worry several European cities.
Pilot project in the field
According to EMT, the service operates from Monday to Friday, between 12h00 and 17h00, in a circular course of 1.8 kilometers with six stops. Travel is free and the experience is scheduled to take place until October 24, framed in the initiatives of the European Mobility Week.
For now, the priority is to make the system know to users and collect operating data in an open environment.
Technology developed in Galicia with national integration
The assembly, software and systems integration were made in Galicia by CTAG, which installed sensors dealing, cameras, GPS and a central processing unit that acts as the “brain” of the vehicle.
Although part of the technological components is imported, the end result has Spanish seal and was designed to operate in a connected way with the infrastructure.
What changes to those who travel
With a capacity of 12 passengers, the mini -author operates at automation level 4. Recognizes roads, traffic lights, cyclists and pedestrians, and decides when accelerating, locking or turning.
“This bus is one of the best I have ever tested,” César Omar Chacón Fernández, head of EMT’s circulating material planning division, to Euronews. “It behaves very well in dynamic terms. Let’s say technology is very well integrated, it doesn’t behave erratically or robotically like other buses.”
Safety under constant surveillance
To reinforce confidence, it always follows a security operator, responsible for monitoring the trip and intervening if necessary, either to open doors or to lock it manually.
The system follows in real time speed, acceleration, trajectory, doors, accessibility ramps and indicators. “The vehicle detects any object, from a bicycle to an animal, and reacts in accordance,” said the head of EMT.
Network complement and response to the scarcity of conductors
The goal stated by EMT and CTAG is not to replace professionals, but exploring how automation can cover “hot points” where drivers’ lack is more evident.
In Madrid, the municipal entity explains, there is no widespread lack of personnel, but technology can improve safety and efficiency and free resources for more demanding lines. “This type of vehicle should be the solution to a major problem in Europe, which is the lack of drivers,” said César Omar Chacón Fernández.
European reactions and context
Some residents have shown doubts about reliability, but EMT recalls that it has been working with autonomous vehicles for several years and that this is one of the most mature projects. According to this pilot Madrid joins cities such as Paris, Stockholm and Hamburg, where similar solutions in controlled routes are tested, a first step to integrating autonomous mobility in urban day to day.
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