Academics play role in public trial of driverless pods at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Driverless pods transported members of the public around London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, with visitors able to test out an innovative mobility service. The trial was part of a research project involving UWE Bristol robotics and transport experts that will pave the way for the use of connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) transport services at public transport hubs and around private estates, including tourist and shopping centres, hospitals, business parks and airports.

The AECOM-led Capri consortium ran the trial, which saw two British made pods autonomously operating at the park. Visitors were able to book a ride using an app through information marshals located at different stops along the pods' route. When booking their journey, participants chose which stop they wanted to be picked up and dropped off at, with the system giving destination instructions to the self-driving vehicles. Simulating an on-demand service, the trial supported the wider rollout of driverless shuttles in the future.