Latest news with #BelfastHarbour
Belfast Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Self-driving shuttle bus launched in Belfast Harbour
The Harlander shuttle has entered into general service today, with the eight-seater shuttle bus connecting the train station and the Catalyst Campus, just off Queens Road. There is no driver on board the bus, although there is a "safety operator' sitting behind a wheel that turns itself. Belfast Harbour say the goal of the project is to offer 'last mile connectivity' between the train station and the rest of the harbour estate, connecting 'transport networks to businesses, tourist attractions and education and leisure facilities'. During a pilot period between now and September, the bus will be entirely free to use for members of the public. The Harlander was developed by the Harbour along with several other companies, including eVersum, Oxa, Angoka, BT and Horiba Mira. A special right-hand drive version of an electric bus was created specifically for the Harlander service by the Austrian firm Hobira Mira. Oxa are behind the self-driving technology, while safety testing was carried out by Hobira Mira, a Coventry-based company. In May, Belfast Harbour said the vehicle was 'tested to death' by Hobira Mira in order to ensure its safety. Mike Dawson, people and digital transformation director at Belfast Harbour, said: 'Following eight weeks of testing, we are delighted to launch the Harlander to the public to offer last mile connectivity on the Harbour Estate. 'This is a groundbreaking project for Northern Ireland and is a step towards fully driverless transport. 'Belfast Harbour has a strong track record of supporting innovation and this project supports our Smart Port ambitions, utilising cutting-edge technology to support our tenants and the public. 'We're excited to see the public reaction and utilisation of the service.' In May, Mr Dawson described the shuttle as an attempt to 'incentivise' people to use public transport by more seamlessly connecting the train and Catalyst. He described the current loop of four stops as a 'model and a blueprint' that will be used to find what is 'viable for other services'. 'What we'd like to do is have this run, learn from it, particularly the passenger experience and customer experience. 'What does that look like? What does that feel like? What needs to be tweaked, improved? How do you make sure there are no barriers to entry for people to be able to get on and access it?' The Harbour plan for the Harlander to be a first step towards an increasing amount of autonomous vehicles being used in Northern Ireland's transport network. Mr Dawson said that he would 'like to see' self-driving vehicles across the city: 'We would like to see more of these, where you can create connectivity on the estate itself. 'We see this as a much bigger play regionally, not just for Northern Ireland, but also for GB, where you can get connectivity to those main routes. 'Imagine you had estates in the city where you had these types of routes feeding the Glider route. 'It doesn't replace bus drivers, it augments what we have in place today.'
BBC News
6 hours ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Pilot journey begins for NI's first driverless bus
Northern Ireland's first self-driving vehicle has officially begun it's pilot journey in Belfast's Titanic Harbour has said it is the "future of transportation".The driverless electric shuttle bus will cover a one mile route for commuters and eight-seater vehicle, which has a safety operator on board, will run every 20 minutes between Titanic Half Railway Station and Catalyst.
Powys County Times
6 hours ago
- Automotive
- Powys County Times
Self-driving bus service takes to the road in Belfast's Titanic Quarter
A self-driving bus service has taken to the road in Belfast's Titanic Quarter. The eight-seater Harlander is Northern Ireland's first self-driving vehicle, and will provide a free shuttle service in a pilot project until September. It started on Tuesday, running every 20 minutes between Titanic Halt Railway Station and Catalyst. The vehicle, which has a safety operator on board, has been described as an initial step to fully driverless transport systems in the UK. Mike Dawson, people and digital transformation director at Belfast Harbour, said it is a ground-breaking project for Northern Ireland. 'Following eight weeks of testing, we are delighted to launch the Harlander to the public to offer last mile connectivity on the Harbour Estate,' he said. 'This is a ground-breaking project for Northern Ireland and is a step towards fully driverless transport. 'Belfast Harbour has a strong track record of supporting innovation and this project supports our smart port ambitions, utilising cutting-edge technology to support our tenants and the public. 'We're excited to see the public reaction and utilisation of the service.' Belfast Harbour is leading the development of the service, which is Northern Ireland's first step in autonomous vehicles on publicly accessible roads, alongside a consortium of partners. The initiative has received £11 million joint government and industry funding, including £5.5 million in funding from Innovate UK, which is working with the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles to invest £41.5 million in innovation projects across the UK that demonstrate real-world benefits of connected and autonomous vehicles.
Leader Live
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- Leader Live
Self-driving bus service takes to the road in Belfast's Titanic Quarter
The eight-seater Harlander is Northern Ireland's first self-driving vehicle, and will provide a free shuttle service in a pilot project until September. It started on Tuesday, running every 20 minutes between Titanic Halt Railway Station and Catalyst. The vehicle, which has a safety operator on board, has been described as an initial step to fully driverless transport systems in the UK. Mike Dawson, people and digital transformation director at Belfast Harbour, said it is a ground-breaking project for Northern Ireland. 'Following eight weeks of testing, we are delighted to launch the Harlander to the public to offer last mile connectivity on the Harbour Estate,' he said. 'This is a ground-breaking project for Northern Ireland and is a step towards fully driverless transport. 'Belfast Harbour has a strong track record of supporting innovation and this project supports our smart port ambitions, utilising cutting-edge technology to support our tenants and the public. 'We're excited to see the public reaction and utilisation of the service.' Belfast Harbour is leading the development of the service, which is Northern Ireland's first step in autonomous vehicles on publicly accessible roads, alongside a consortium of partners. The initiative has received £11 million joint government and industry funding, including £5.5 million in funding from Innovate UK, which is working with the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles to invest £41.5 million in innovation projects across the UK that demonstrate real-world benefits of connected and autonomous vehicles.
North Wales Chronicle
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- North Wales Chronicle
Self-driving bus service takes to the road in Belfast's Titanic Quarter
The eight-seater Harlander is Northern Ireland's first self-driving vehicle, and will provide a free shuttle service in a pilot project until September. It started on Tuesday, running every 20 minutes between Titanic Halt Railway Station and Catalyst. The vehicle, which has a safety operator on board, has been described as an initial step to fully driverless transport systems in the UK. Mike Dawson, people and digital transformation director at Belfast Harbour, said it is a ground-breaking project for Northern Ireland. 'Following eight weeks of testing, we are delighted to launch the Harlander to the public to offer last mile connectivity on the Harbour Estate,' he said. 'This is a ground-breaking project for Northern Ireland and is a step towards fully driverless transport. 'Belfast Harbour has a strong track record of supporting innovation and this project supports our smart port ambitions, utilising cutting-edge technology to support our tenants and the public. 'We're excited to see the public reaction and utilisation of the service.' Belfast Harbour is leading the development of the service, which is Northern Ireland's first step in autonomous vehicles on publicly accessible roads, alongside a consortium of partners. The initiative has received £11 million joint government and industry funding, including £5.5 million in funding from Innovate UK, which is working with the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles to invest £41.5 million in innovation projects across the UK that demonstrate real-world benefits of connected and autonomous vehicles.
