Fully autonomous vehicles are out and about on the open road, a first for the UK.

Oxbotica has successfully deployed the fully autonomous, all-electric, vehicle platform in Oxford.

The AppliedEV vehicle has no on-board driver, marking the next step in commercialising autonomous vehicle technology.

No delivery driver

Oxbotica will now accelerate commercial deployment of autonomous vehicles globally. They are working with partners, including ZF, bp and NEVS. The work will enable autonomous passenger shuttles and industry-specific platforms using the core – Oxbotica Driver.

It uses a combination of radar vision and laser-based sensors. It provides the vehicle with a rich understanding of its surroundings, with multiple AI continuously checking and explaining decisions. This process is a foundational requirement for the safe deployment of zero-occupancy autonomous vehicles. It will underpin the development of innovative insurance solutions for the future of transportation.

“Oxbotica is changing the way people and goods move,” states Paul Newman, founder & CTO. “It’s a historic moment for the UK, the transport and logistics sector, autonomous vehicle technology, and Oxbotica.”

2023 here we come

The target for the first public on-road business deployment is with Ocado Group.  Goods deliveries and completing customer orders is targeted for 2023 onwards.

“This is a fantastic milestone,” says Alex Harvey, chief of advanced technology at Ocado Technology. He describes it as “making significant progress towards zero-occupancy goods deliveries”. Describing it as an “exciting” and “transformational”. They are looking to deploy the technology “at the earliest possible opportunity”.