Spain –  The Irizar Group of Ormaiztegi, Spain, unveiled its first ever autonomous bus in Malaga, Spain last month. The full integral bus and coach builder announced the vehicle has been developed as part of pioneering project in mobility by a consortium of companies, supported with regional funding and which, in a few months, it is expected an autonomous bus begin operations with private public transport operator, Avanza Group, around the city of Malaga.

The bus development is based on the Irizar’s iebus electric bus model, a 100% zero emissions electric vehicle fitted with dual driving mode – ie manual mode and automatic mode (autopilot). It is 12m long and has capacity for up to 60 passengers. The vehicle was developed via the AutoMost Project* funded by the CDTI (Centre for Industrial Technological Development) of the Ministry of Economy of Spain: This project was started with the aim of developing technologies for the automation of vehicles in urban and industrial transport applications, as well as to make significant increases in efficiency, safety and sustainability.