The Middle East’s first driverless bus has started operating from Ajman to ease commuting in the region.
The bus was launched in Ajman on Tuesday morning as Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, director of Ajman Municipality and Planning Department, and Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, were on board on its inaugural run at Ajman Corniche.
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Nasir Al Shamsi, project manager of ION, which is responsible for the project, said the bus is fitted with high-performing sensors and 14 cameras. He said that these devices can detect pedestrian crossings and traffic signals from a distance of about 20 metres.
The bus can accommodate 15 passengers, including 11 seated, and can do a 3km run on the Ajman Corniche Road.
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The first driverless bus in the Middle East was produced by a French company, but Emiratis at ION played a hand in developing the technology in the bus.
In 2018, the trial run of the bus was done at Masdar City. There were plans to extend the running distance to 7km. (AW)
