ASTRI and Citybus to launch autonomous driving
ASTRI, Hong Kong Applied Science & Technology Research Institute and Citybus Limited [Citybus] signed [on August 20, 2024], a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on research and development projects related to autonomous driving and Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X). This includes conducting live road tests at the Hong Kong Science Park to University MTR Station and within Kai Tak.
(From left) Mr Newton Ng, Commercial Director of Citybus Limited; Dr Denis Yip, Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI; Mr Richard Hall, Managing Director of Citybus Limited, and Dr Justin Chuang, Vice President, Communications Technologies of ASTRI took a photo after the MoU signing ceremony
In addition to enhancing Hong Kong’s long-established and well-regarded public transportation system, these projects will provide a cost-effective and world-leading smart mobility solution.To establish a new model for transportation in Hong Kong, the two organisations are collaborating to leverage ASTRI’s advanced technological smart mobility technologies and Citybus’s expertise in developing and operating public transportation systems.
With the help of the HKSAR Government’s Smart Traffic Fund, Citybus will support two ASTRI projects. Citybus will collaborate with ASTRI to explore further intelligent mobility projects that can drive the digitalisation of public transportation operations and the broader application of artificial intelligence.
Dedicated Line Connected Autonomous Bus
From Hong Kong Science Park to University MTR Station, a 19-seat ‘connected’ autonomous bus will run. In this trial, connected autonomous buses will be tested in a complex public road environment, which includes roundabouts and public transportation interchanges. In 2025, Citybus will provide operational knowledge and support to pre-registered passengers as part of the trial run.
Smart Roadside Infrastructure
Initially scheduled to begin on September 1, 2024, this project aims to explore the use of C-V2X technology in public bus services within the Kai Tak Development Area. A number of public bus routes traverse the Kai Tak runway area within the district, operated by Citybus.
Using C-V2X equipment, ASTRI will connect Citybus’ double-deckers with the smart roadside units located in the area for the first time ever, integrating with Citybus’ on-bus systems. In addition to improving driving safety and operational efficiency, this connectivity will provide bus captains with real-time road conditions and traffic light information.
As a result of both projects, Hong Kong’s smart mobility and public transportation innovation will be further enhanced by R&D data to amplify the precision and reliability of the C-V2X system and wider autonomous bus technologies across a wide range of real-life scenarios.
Dr Denis Yip, CEO of ASTRI, said: “This partnership marks a significant milestone in Hong Kong’s progression towards smarter, safer, and more efficient public transportation. By merging ASTRI’s technological prowess with Citybus’s operation experience, we’re poised to create intelligent solutions for smart mobility that could be emulated globally.”
Mr Richard Hall, Managing Director of Citybus, stated that “Citybus has always been at the forefront of smart transportation and new energy transformation, in line with our overarching vision to continually evolve the public transport industry and provision to our customers.Following the launch of our groundbreaking hydrogen and electric buses, as well as the implementation of a smart driving system across our entire fleet to improve safety and the customer experience, we are really pleased to collaborate with ASTRI to integrate their pioneering technology into our bus-operations.”
He added,”We firmly believe that through this collaboration, we are not just exploring but also setting the future path for bus services in Hong Kong to be enhanced even further, contributing to the ongoing development of Hong Kong as a smart city with new technologies and expertise that can be exported internationally.”