NFI subsidiary Alexander Dennis Enviro200AV autonomous bus completes Dubai World Challenge testing
Larbert, United Kingdom – 13th July 2023: (TSX: NFI, OTC: NFYEF, TSX: NFI.DB) Alexander Dennis, a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., one of the world’s leading independent global bus manufacturers, today announced that it has concluded on-track testing of an Enviro200AV autonomous bus in the 2023 Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport.
Alexander Dennis and its technology partner Fusion Processing Ltd. are one of just six automotive consortia globally that the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai shortlisted for the competition, which this year focuses on buses. It has been organised in conjunction with the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport taking place in September, where a winner will be announced.
The vehicle submitted to the challenge by Alexander Dennis and Fusion Processing is an Enviro200AV autonomous single deck bus. It is one of five vehicles built for the CAVForth project, which launched its 14-mile route across the Forth Road Bridge near Edinburgh earlier this year as the world’s most complex and ambitious autonomous bus service.
In Dubai, the bus has been put through its paces on a test track that captures a near real-life experience of traffic conditions in the city. During testing, it completed 21 case scenarios ranging from autonomously bypassing obstacles safely to severe weather conditions like sandstorms.
In addition to the technology’s performance, finalists are evaluated on the value proposition their solution offers the RTA for a potential implementation in Dubai as part of its strategy for 25% of all transportation trips to be smart and driverless by 2030.
The RTA supports participants in the challenge with a mobilisation grant paid to each shortlisted company.
Alexander Dennis Head of Concepts & Advanced Engineering, Jamie Wilson, led the team in Dubai: “This has been a great opportunity to build on the great work we’ve done with our partners in the CAVForth project and test our autonomous bus under further traffic conditions. We’re extremely grateful to the RTA for giving us the chance to show the capabilities of our Enviro200AV and we hope to continue the conversation on how we can support the RTA’s strategy.”
Alexander Dennis Group Engineering Director, Chris Gall, added: “Our selection as one of only six finalists globally is a fantastic credit to the amazing work done by our engineering team and our partners at Fusion. Our spirit of innovation makes Alexander Dennis a technology leader recognised on the world stage.”
Fusion Processing CEO, Jim Hutchinson, said: “The successful testing in Dubai is another great step in our collaboration with the team at Alexander Dennis. Fusion’s CAVStar® Autonomous Level 4 system will allow Alexander Dennis to offer bus operators transformational improvements in safety, operational efficiency and cost.”
Notes to editors
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About NFI
Leveraging 450 years of combined experience, NFI is leading the electrification of mass mobility around the world. With zero-emission buses and coaches, infrastructure, and technology, NFI meets today’s urban demands for scalable smart mobility solutions. Together, NFI is enabling more livable cities through connected, clean, and sustainable transportation.
With 7,700 team members in ten countries, NFI is a leading global bus manufacturer of mass mobility solutions under the brands New Flyer® (heavy-duty transit buses), MCI® (motor coaches), Alexander Dennis (single and double-deck buses), Plaxton (motor coaches), ARBOC® (low-floor cutaway and medium-duty buses), and NFI Parts™. NFI currently offers the widest range of sustainable drive systems available, including zero-emission electric (trolley, battery, and fuel cell), natural gas, electric hybrid, and clean diesel. In total, NFI supports its installed base of over 100,000 buses and coaches around the world. NFI’s common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) under the symbol NFI and its convertible unsecured debentures trade on the TSX under the symbol NFI.DB. News and information is available at nfigroup.com, newflyer.com, mcicoach.com, nfi.parts, alexander-dennis.com, arbocsv.com, and carfaircomposites.com.
About Alexander Dennis
Alexander Dennis is a global leader in the design and manufacture of double deck buses and is also the UK’s largest bus and coach manufacturer. Alexander Dennis offers single and double deck vehicles under the brands of Alexander Dennis and Plaxton, and has over 31,000 vehicles in service in the UK, Ireland, Europe, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada and the United States. Further information is available at alexander-dennis.com.
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