1st Autonomous Electric Vehicle In Production Hits The Road!
Introducing the NAVYA ARMA Autonomous Shuttle Bus
Innovative vehicle company NAVYA has developed the first autonomous electric vehicle in the world that people can actually buy and use. The ARMA is purpose built to serve as a shuttle bus or taxi and is already being used out in the field with real customers and real passengers.
The ARMA accomplishes this with a combination of GPS, LIDAR, and cameras — pretty 
standard stuff in the autonomous vehicle world; though, what ARMA has accomplished is quite a feat. As the ARMA drives its route, it records the entire journey and, as it does so, it defines everything along the route — car, pedestrian, curb, etc, in order to drive the route with the highest level of accuracy and safety.
ARMA On the Job
The featured implementation of the ARMA is at the EDF Nuclear Plant of Civaux, where it replaced an antiquated diesel bus. Upgrading to an autonomous electric shuttle bus has turned the tour from a smelly, bumpy, noisy ride into a smooth, quiet journey that feels like it is something pulled forward from the future, or as one passenger said, it is “like being on a magic carpet.”
The halo effect is also important, as passengers touring the EDF Plant walk away from the autonomous shuttle with an improved perception of the plant itself because of the futuristic autonomous electric shuttle bus. As compared to the diesel bus it replaced, the new bus features no vibration (it’s so smooooooth!) and very little noise.
Finally, in addition to providing a better rider experience, the NAVYA ARMA is delivering cost savings vs the previous diesel-powered bus — from reduced maintenance, lower fuel costs, and even the money saved from not having a driver. The ARMA can carry up to 15 passengers at a time and is already transporting over 1,100 people per year over the 220 hectare / 540 acre nuclear plant.
Take a look at the ARMA zooming around the power plant in the video below.
All images and video courtesy NAVYA
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cocorico!! 🙂
Cocorico may refer to
A Brazilian TV program, Cocoricó
A French art magazine, Cocorico (magazine)
“Cocorico!” (“cock-a-doodle-doo!”) is the French onomatopoeia for the rooster crow (“chant du coq” in French) and as such is a French victory roar, the rooster being one French emblem.
“Cocorico monsieur Poulet”, a French-Nigerien film from 1974 by Jean Rouch.
An Italian dance venue, Cocoricò (nightclub)
A Japanese comedy act, Cocorico (comedy duo) or Coq au Rico (comedy duo) (ココリコ in Japanese)
A Puerto Rican soda drink, Coco Rico
Or it may just be random key pressing from someone who drank breakfast….
In this case that would be the onomatopeia for celebrating a good french achievement!! 🙂
The future means we’ll never have to raise our heads from our phones.
first autonomous electric vehicle in the world that people can actually buy and use — Article
What country other then France allow this bus on it’s roads? It is important since it means this is the first autonomous vehicle that is allowed to be used anywhere not just in predefined test places.
It’s not even allowed on French roads 😉
If it isn’t allowed on any highway how in the heck can the be called the “first autonomous electric vehicle:” There have been test vehicles running on closed tracks for some time.
On average 3 passengers per day with a 15 seater ……… suits the atom power efficiency 😉
Or 1 person doing 1 one-way trip per 8h-shift.
Doesn’t it come back after being dropped-off, this person, one wonders …..
Wonderful story. We need to start somewhere, and this is a fine start. Thanks for finding this gem, Kyle.