Driverless shuttle systems to be trialled in Inverness

Self-driving vehicles will be trialled in the Highlands in a bid to make transport offerings more efficient and sustainable.

Two driverless vehicles created by Coventry-based autonomous transport designer Aurrigo are set to be deployed in Inverness.

 A four-seat shuttle pod will take passengers between Inverness Airport and Dalcross railway station.

The pod will cover 750m of the 1.2km journey, which to date passengers had to walk or pay for the shuttle bus to complete.

Meanwhile, a larger, 10-seater pod will offer a ride around the University of Highlands and Islands’ Inverness campus.

This pilot scheme comes after an autonomous bus called Bitsy Teenie Weenie Driverless Machiney was trialed on a 3km route at the campus.

The new tests hope to gauge public perceptions of autonomous vehicles and the feasibility of introducing the service to the region.

David Keene, chief executive of Aurrigo, said: “Operating at Inverness Airport highlights the diverse environments where Aurrigo’s automated vehicles can truly make an impact.

“The aviation industry as a whole offers countless opportunities for this innovative technology to enhance operations, improve safety, and transform the passenger experience.”

Project partners include the University of Glasgow, Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (Hitrans), Darwin Innovation Group Ltd, and Stagecoach North Scotland.

Stagecoach also operates the UK’s first driverless bus service, which takes passengers between Fife and Edinburgh Park.

Innovate UK and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles have funded the Inverness trials.