【Watch 365 Days Online】

Source：Unobstructed Information Network Editor：Games Time：2025-06-26 01:21:15

Self-driving technology is Watch 365 Days Onlineshifting to the bus lane.

Proterra, an electric bus manufacturer, just announced its three-phase plan to create the self-driving public transit system of the future, filled with autonomous, emission-free electric buses. The company says the move to autonomy should make mass transit safer and more efficient than ever before.

The company is partnering with the University of Nevada, Reno's Intelligent Mobility program to make it happen. The university's Living Lab Coalition, which is supported by the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Washoe County, Nevada, will allow the self-driving system to be developed on the streets of Reno, Sparks, and Carson City.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk says we're only 2 years from being able to nap in self-driving cars

The program's three phases will break up the research and development into individual parts. The first phase will launch on June 1, with a Proterra bus tricked out with sensors carrying passengers and a driver along a fixed route in Reno.

Mashable Light Speed Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories? Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

Phase two will focus on turning all of the data collected from those sensors into a working self-driving system. The third phase, which is a bit further out in the future and depends on a fully-functional autonomous platform, will consist of Proterra licensing and commercializing the system for use beyond just one route on the Nevada streets.

The hope is to get an autonomous bus on the road by 2019.

Buses, trucks, and cars

Different vehicles face different challenges. That’s true for autonomous cars, too. The autonomous systems needed for commercial self-driving trucks, for example, are different than what you'll find under the hood of a consumer sedan.

Proterra's plan sets it apart from autonomous programs from traditional carmakers and tech companies, which are largely focused on the vehicle and its own relation to traffic on the road. Instead, the bus-based self-driving tech will be built around the specialized demands of public transit systems on the whole, particularly when it comes to handling the dense traffic conditions and patterns that come along with most bus routes.

While Proterra is calling its program "the first autonomous bus program in the United States," the state of Nevada has already dabbled with a self-driving public transport. Back in January, Las Vegas teamed with NAVYA and Keolis to bring autonomous shuttle service to the strip on a trial basis, with hopes for potential expansion later this year.

Featured Video For You

These self-driving buses could make owning a car totally pointless

Previous：Battle of the Brands

Next：Battle of the Brands

【Watch 365 Days Online】

Buses, trucks, and cars

Related Articles

Related Recommendations

Categories

Latest Articles

Popular Articles

Hot Recommendations

Featured Column

Quick Links

Quick Links