Self-driving shuttle rolls into Whitby
Residents in Durham will be the first to test out a new self-driving shuttle that’s hitting the streets in the region.
On Monday, Durham Region Transit officials offered up a close-up look at how the vehicle travels along its six-kilometre route. The shuttle is emission free and integrates smart technology along the route.
“It can operate and charge overnight and operate throughout the day with no emissions at all. By looking at zero-emission vehicles we are looking to do our part to reduce emissions that come from the transportation sector which is a big contributor to emissions in Durham Region and across Canada,” a transit official said.
The aim of the pilot project is to offer a safe and smart option for commuters. The vehicle itself is equipped with radar and a 360-degree camera that are constantly scanning for obstacles and adjusting and navigating around them.
The shuttle will operate at a speed of no more than 20 kilometres per hour and will have a trained safety attendant on board who can manually take control of the vehicle at any time, if required.
Tenille Houston, CEO of AutoGuardian by Smartcone, says the technology is a step in the right direction.
“So when you can move these types of shuttles into environments like this, you can look forward to a greener, safer future. These are 100-per cent electric, zero emissions, and as we all know, human error is the cause of 94 per cent of accidents today, so if we can get these vehicles on the road and they are smarter and safer we can hopefully alleviate that and make safer roads for all,” Houston said.
The pilot project is a partnership between Smartcone Technologies, AutoGuardian by SmartCone, the Town of Whitby and the Region of Durham.
Passengers will have a chance to board the shuttle starting Tuesday. The six-kilometre route will begin and end at the Whitby Go station. The shuttle will operate weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., and on weekends between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Live updates: What star witness in Trump hush money case has said on the stand so far
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial took the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.’s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease’s progression.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Canucks' Soucy suspended 1 game, Zadorov fined $5,000 for post-game crosschecks on McDavid
A Vancouver Canucks defenceman has been suspended for a game and another was handed a hefty fine after a scrum broke out at the end of Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday night.
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sues for defamation over National Enquirer, InTouch Weekly stories
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sued the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly on Monday for a story that she said falsely claimed that she was trying to help the Menendez brothers get a retrial after they were convicted of murdering their parents.
'Ready to go': Fort McMurray residents prepared for evacuation as crews battle nearby wildfire
An evacuation alert remains in place in the Fort McMurray area on Monday afternoon.
When you have a moment's notice to evacuate, what do you take?
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.