Ohmio Lift rides in Wellington called off

People were due take a ride aboard the future of transport on Wellington’s waterfront this week, but free rides on the Ohmio Lift autonomous shuttle have been abandoned due to COVID-19 concerns.

A Level 2 alert will be imposed on the Wellington region (including the Wairarapa and Kapiti Coast) from 6pm on June 23 until about midnight on June 27, restricting gatherings to under 100 with about 150 at the start of the T-Tech Conference at Te Papa on June 23.

The conference’s first keynote speaker and talked via video and the conference had to close just as transport minister Michael Wood was to speak, later giving a briefing outside Te Papa beside the Ohmio Lift.

The driverless shuttle, designed by New Zealand company Ohmio, uses GPS to plot its course and take passengers safely to their destination.

Developed by HMI Technologies, a New Zealand-based innovator of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), it features a range of safety initiatives and powerful navigational technologies enhanced by artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure continuous improvement.

HMI and Ohmio chief executive Dean Zabrieszach says the company’s agile and innovative design and approach means the vehicles can be adapted to many different uses.

“The obvious use is as a passenger transport vehicle, providing a smart approach to the ‘first and last mile’ issue that can stop people using public transport.

“But our unique flying carpet chassis design means it is versatile, scalable and could be used to transport freight in a range of locations.”

ITSNZ executive officer Simon McManus says Wellington city has recently followed cities around the world in moves to promote people-friendly urban centres, due to air-quality, safety and space constraints.

“Electric and connected AV shuttles may fit well into that space alongside mass rapid transport, micromobility and active transport.” 

Options for T-Tech are still being investigated.