Autonomous electric vehicle arrives at Christchurch Airport

There is no driver needed for Christchurch Airport’s fully autonomous Smart Shuttle, which is part of for New Zealand’s first on-road research trial.

The electric vehicle will carry 15 people, has no steering wheel and will run on private roads around the airport.

Christchurch Airport chief executive Malcolm Johns says the airport team is keen to understand how autonomous shuttles might operate and how people may react and interact with them.

“We can see the potential for driverless vehicles to transform and enhance mobility and transport options on the airport campus.

“We want to explore the possibility of deploying autonomous vehicles to assist people moving around our campus efficiently and sustainably, so we formed a partnership with HMI Technologies to consider how we might make this happen.”

Dave Verma, director of Australasian Driverless Vehicle Technologies, says HMI is keen to hear feedback from commercial operators, government and the public.

“HMI sees that the AV vehicle technology is emerging at a rapid pace and there are opportunities for New Zealand to be at the forefront of this technology.”

Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel says it is exciting to have the trial in the city.
The significance of attracting this project to Christchurch at this time cannot be over-stated. This is an incredibly exciting time in our history.”

Transport minister Simon Bridges says New Zealand offers a fantastic environment for testing and operating new transport technologies.

“Our supportive regulation around testing autonomous vehicles – which enables new technology to be tested while protecting public safety and encouraging innovation – have helped make this trial possible.”

The New Zealand based and funded trial will begin in the next few weeks.