Residents of Orkney are being invited to try out a self-driving Auto-Pod as part of a study exploring the feasibility of deploying driverless shuttles on the island. Taking place in Kirkwall at Crossie Crown Place on 9 – 10 Feb, the event will bring the technology to life while offering valuable real‑world insights for the Kirkwall AutoLink Feasibility Study.
The project is exploring how an autonomous, zero emission self-driving service could provide cleaner, dependable, and more accessible travel between Kirkwall Harbour and Kirkwall Airport, benefitting residents, workers, and visitors.
The event builds on growing momentum in Orkney, where the AutoLink project, led by Urban Foresight and supported by Aurrigo and HITRANS is investigating whether a selfdriving, zeroemission vehicle could improve connectivity between Kirkwall Harbour and Kirkwall Airport.
With more than 160,000 passengers annually and 90% of airport journeys currently made by private car, autonomous vehicles offer a new opportunity to cut emissions, increase accessibility, and strengthen local mobility.
The demonstrator event, which will feature a small Auto-Pod, responds directly to early insights, which highlighted both curiosity and caution among residents. This showcase is designed as a learning exercise, allowing participants to not only observe the self-driving Auto-Pod in action but to understand how the systems work. Attendees will also be encouraged to share their thoughts and feedback, helping inform future transport planning and decision making in Orkney.
The exercise will:
ª Provide members of the public the opportunity to see and experience first-hand self-driving vehicles using Aurrigo’s Auto-Pod.
• Allow users to share their views on the technology.
• Support future decisions on trial design, regulatory readiness, and potential deployment of both Auto-Pods and larger shuttle buses.
Residents are now being encouraged to take part, with online booking open for anyone who wants to get involved and try it out for themselves.
Beyond showcasing the technology, the study aims to combine detailed feasibility assessments with active community engagement to ensure the shuttle service is shaped by local needs. The study draws on extensive local engagement with residents, businesses, and transport operators, ensuring community needs directly shape the future of autonomous mobility in Orkney.
Callum White, Head of Zero Emission Mobility at Urban Foresight, said:
“This demonstrator event is an exciting opportunity for Orkney to experience autonomous technology up close. It gives people the chance to ask questions, see how the vehicle operates, and share their views in a way that directly influences how autonomous mobility could work in rural areas.”
Dr Richard Fairchild, Chief Operations Officer at Aurrigo added:
“We’re proud to bring our autonomous pod to Orkney and demonstrate how this technology can operate safely and effectively in remote settings. Engagement events like this are crucial for building trust and shaping the future of autonomous transport.”
(Picture: Aurrigo)
