CYBERJAYA: An autonomous electric bus service trial will be rolled out in Putrajaya this year, making it the second such trial in Malaysia.
Utilising 5G to navigate around, the new buses are the result of a collaboration between national 5G network provider Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB), Ericsson and local autonomous vehicle solutions developer eMooVit Technology Sdn Bhd.
The collaboration, the result of a memorandum of understanding signed between the three partners earlier in May this year, involved proof-of-concept trials for 5G technologies used in the new buses.
This included in-vehicle 5G public Wi-Fi connectivity, real-time remote vehicle monitoring, as well as journey log collection without passengers.
The new buses also include in-vehicle CCTV and real-time telemetry data monitoring to make autonomous bus rides safer and more reliable.
The success of these trials culminated in a successful proof-of-concept (POC) demonstration here yesterday which was witnessed by Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo and Transport Minister Anthony Loke, who rode on the buses in a trial session.
Impressed by the demonstration, Gobind said the current success of the trials showcased how digital transformation could improve public service delivery.
Loke said the buses have potential to improve Malaysia’s worsening traffic situation.
The autonomous buses began trials earlier this year and have since covered over 1,000km in its POC trials, according to eMooVit chief executive officer Dr Hairi Zamzuri.
In October 2022, Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, tested a bus on the Sunway BRT in Malaysia’s maiden autonomous bus trial.
The trial, done after passenger service hours, was also conducted with eMoovit Technology.
