A driverless minibus designed in China is set to begin operating in Turin, Italy. Named Robobus, this autonomous vehicle was developed by Guizhou Hankaisi Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., also known as PIX Moving. The company has partnered with Italian mobility solutions provider Tecnocad to introduce this service at the Alpine city’s base.
PIX Moving has secured the necessary approvals from Turin’s regulatory authorities to test and operate their autonomous vehicles on public roads. The firm, which is located in a high-tech zone in Guiyang, has successfully launched its unmanned minibuses in several countries, including Spain, Japan, the USA, and India.
A Robobus unit has already been shipped to Turin and is slated for field testing prior to its official deployment, with additional units to follow based on demand.
This electric vehicle is unique in that it lacks traditional bus elements such as a driver’s cab, steering wheel, pedals, or rearview mirrors. It features a symmetrical design which allows it to navigate easily in either direction.
Designed to travel at a maximum speed of 30 km/h, Robobus can accommodate up to six passengers and offers a range of 100-130 km on a single charge. The vehicle’s platform is an open-source autonomous driving chassis equipped with AI and digital manufacturing technologies, allowing for the installation of various systems tailored to specific service needs, according to Angelo Yu, founder and CEO of PIX Moving.
