New Zealand company Ohmio Automotion wants to revolutionise urban and hyper-local transport with its self-driving electric shuttles which uses artificial intelligence to navigate.

Ohmio’s focus is related to the technology ecosystem that autonomous vehicles require to operate. This technology ecosystem provides an infrastructure framework for vehicles to optimise important aspects of autonomy such as navigation and obstacle detection, as well as providing some degree of control by transport authorities.

Ohmio Automotion has evolved from HMI Technologies, a world leader in custom-built intelligent transport systems. Having developed world class self-driving technology, OhmioTM successfully demonstrated this with the launch of the ohmio HOP in September, 2017.

The electric ohmio HOP shuttles are self-driving, connected, autonomous vehicles, meaning that not only are they driverless, but they share information with each other. Unlike similar vehicles being produced elsewhere around the world, they can move more efficiently and safely in a convoy or “platooning” formation. This makes Ohmio vehicles a scalable solution, responding to demand to operate as an efficient and safe virtual tram running on virtual tracks, the company says.

An innovative mapping capability and sensors allow Ohmio vehicles to be deployed quickly on selected routes.

These self-driving shuttles will help people connect from mass transit hubs and parking facilities to their final destination, as well as providing efficient transport around commercial facilities such as airports, retirement villages and university campuses.

With technological advancements, the first commercially built vehicle, a 20 person shuttle, ohmio LIFT, will be premiered in the next few months. It has been purchased by Christchurch Airport with a view to have it operating before the end of 2018. Other flexible options, including ohmio MOVE, a freight carrier, will also soon be revealed. Ohmio technology will also have wider applications in other sectors such as agriculture, transport and logistics.

The technology is a key component of Mobility as a Service [MaaS] where transport networks involving shared mobility and public transport are so convenient that there is less need for private transport.

“We are committed to developing technologies which deliver a safer, more efficient and sustainable transport future and electric self-driving vehicles have amazing potential in that regard,” says Ohmio Automotion Chairman, Mohammed Hikmet.

“Self-driving, connected, autonomous vehicles, meaning that not only are they driverless they share information with each other.”

// Source - https://www.callaghaninnovation.govt.nz/sites/all/files/ai-whitepaper.pdf