Automated public transport achievements on the Innovation Radar
Six companies participating in the EU-funded AVENUE project have been listed on the EU Innovation Radar Platform for their innovations in the field of autonomous mobility. The Innovation Radar focuses on identifying leading-edge innovations being developed in EU-funded research projects and the key innovators behind these achievements.
‘Tech Ready’ innovations
AVENUE partners were recognised for their innovative accomplishment in “Accessible Micro Services for on demand, door to door, fully automated public transportation vehicles”. They include French autonomous mobility systems leader Navya and German engineering and manufacturing company Siemens Aktiengesellschaft. Their innovation was classified as ‘Tech Ready’ – the third out of four levels of maturity, meaning that it is considered advanced in terms of technology preparation and development – and described as having “noteworthy” market creation potential. A ‘Tech Ready’ classification was also assigned to the innovation in “Self learning transport organization including personal data protection”, achieved under the AVENUE project. The key innovators recognised for this achievement are Danish company Autonomous Mobility (now called Holo), the Centre for Research & Technology Hellas (in Greece) and, again, Navya.
‘Market Ready’ innovation
Additionally, the Innovation Radar panel of experts awarded the ‘Market Ready’ classification to AVENUE’s innovation in “On demand, door to door, fully automated public transportation services”. This category – the final of four innovation maturity levels – includes innovations that are technologically mature and considered ready for the market. The key innovators identified for this achievement are AVENUE project partner Transports Publics Genevois from Switzerland, in addition to previously mentioned Navya. Navya CEO Sophie Desormière commented in a press release posted on the company’s website: “The recognition accorded by the independent experts on the Innovation Radar Platform proves that our technology has reached maturity, as demonstrated by specific use case trials that offer ever more technology, connectivity and services to passengers. It also establishes the overall success of the AVENUE project in providing new types of public transportation which enhances users’ mobility and experience.” She added: “Over the four years of our trials we were able to fine tune the performance and reliability of our technology with the help of our AVENUE partners with whom we share the same conviction: that autonomous vehicles are the next big thing in urban, peri-urban and rural transportation. We are proud to have convinced all together users, local authorities, both on the national and international level, and also the experts that represent the European Union.” The above innovations contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11 to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Since its launch in 2018, AVENUE (Autonomous Vehicles to Evolve to a New Urban Experience) has designed and carried out full-scale demonstrations of urban transport automation, deploying fleets of autonomous minibuses in four European cities – Geneva, Lyon, Copenhagen and Luxembourg. Through this, it has validated the advantages of autonomous vehicle use in public transportation that include new innovative passenger service and guaranteed road and passenger safety. For more information, please see: AVENUE project website
Keywords
AVENUE, Innovation Radar, autonomous, mobility, vehicle, autonomous vehicle, innovation, transportation, urban
