Sunderland is set to embrace a new era of mobility with the arrival of the Sunderland Advanced Mobility Shuttle (SAMS), marking a significant milestone in the city’s journey towards self-driving transportation, as well as providing training opportunities and new cutting-edge skills.

Having arrived in the city a few days ago, SAMS represents a pioneering initiative aimed at revolutionising urban mobility and enhancing accessibility for residents and visitors alike. The shuttle will soon be transporting passengers when it takes to the streets this spring.

Following its arrival, the focus now shifts towards operator training, equipping on-board safety attendants with the necessary skills to oversee and manage autonomous operations effectively. This training phase starts in April and underscores Sunderland’s commitment to ensuring the safe and efficient integration of self-driving technology into its transportation ecosystem.

Moreover, preparations are underway to commence the mapping of the route, a crucial step towards creating a comprehensive and accurate map of SAMS’ operational area. By meticulously mapping the shuttle’s route, authorities aim to optimise its navigation capabilities and ensure seamless travel experiences for passengers.

The SAMS project will trial three self-driving zero emission autonomous shuttles, designed specifically for SAMS by Aurrigo, which will transport passengers on public roads between Sunderland Interchange, the University of Sunderland City Campus and the Sunderland Royal Hospital. Whilst safety operators will always be onboard, the project will develop and demonstrate a cyber secure remote supervision protocol, an important step towards commercial deployment.

(Picture – Aurigo)