Robina’s Transit Australia Group in Australia-first deal with EasyMile

A LEADING Gold Coast transit company has announced an Australia-first deal with a France-based autonomous vehicle company.

Robina-based Transit Australia Group will work with EasyMile to bring driverless shuttle trials throughout Australia.

A GOLD Coast company has announced an Australia-first joint venture in the driverless bus sector — partnering with France-based EasyMile.

Robina-based Transit Australia Group has agreed to operate and maintain EasyMile’s EZ10 driverless electric shuttle buses from its Adelaide manufacturing hub, run by Precision Buses.

Trial dates and locations are scheduled for later this year, and will soon be announced.

The plans include the development of an autonomous version of TAG’s ZDi electric urban bus.

TAG will work with EasyMile to operate and maintain its driverless buses - in preparation for a major expansion of autonomous vehicle trials throughout Australia.

TAG stated: “several public trials of the vehicle are already slated for Australia and New Zealand this year under the new partnership”.

Driverless technology is not new in Australia.

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The technology has been tested in Western Australia, and last week a driverless electric shuttle was unveiled at Flinders University in South Australia, initially set to operate between the university and a nearby train station.

TAG CEO Michael McGee said the partnership offered the opportunity to undertake a robust exanimation of how autonomous-vehicle technology could be used.

TAG has not announced the locations for the trials yet.

“We have combined world-leading autonomous-vehicle products and technology with our

expertise and innovation in designing and operating mass transit networks,” Mr 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.

TAG is one of Australia’s largest privately-owned mass-transit companies.

Its operations include bus design and manufacturing, urban network design, planning and operation, and workforce development and training.

Mr McGee said the partnership with EasyMile presented further research and development

opportunities within the autonomous vehicle market, including developing an autonomous

version of TAG’s ZDi electric urban bus.

“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 manufacture and assemble autonomous vehicles — and this is something we are very excited about.”

He said the ZDi electric bus could be adapted for use through driverless technology.

EasyMile head of Asia-Pacific Simon Pearce said 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,” he said.

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