Innovation at Vy: Autonomous vehicles
As a responsible public transport operator, Vy is taking part in the development of autonomous vehicles – to explore how new technology can contribute to safer, more accessible and sustainable mobility solutions.
We gain experience with autonomous vehicles through pilot projects. We do not consider this a substitute for today’s drivers but as a supplement in the face of an ever-growing staffing challenge. Norway needs 1000 new bus drivers each year as we approach 2030 and autonomous vehicles can help us to meet this need in a responsible and future-oriented manner.
Why does Vy invest in autonomous vehicles?
Vy is exploring autonomous technology as part of its responsibility for developing the public transport of the future. The technology can strengthen the current public transport system and help solve several of the greatest challenges within the transport sector.
- Lack of bus drivers and increased traffic safety: Norway needs 1000 new bus drivers each year as we approach 2030, but we are struggling to recruit. Autonomous vehicles could therefore become an important supplement for maintaining and expanding public transport offerings. At the same time, autonomous solutions can also contribute to safer transport for both passengers and other road users, as over 90 per cent of road traffic accidents today are caused by human error.
- Improved mobility and better offerings – for more people:Autonomous solutions also enable us to offer public transport in new ways – more flexible, more cost-effective and more suited to meeting local needs – while also providing greater freedom and mobility to people with disabilities, the elderly and others who currently rely on other people to get around.
- Fewer vehicles – more urban life:An enhanced public transport service can contribute to more people choosing to leave the car at home, resulting in fewer queues, lower emissions and more space for people in urban areas – no parking. In Oslo alone, parking spaces take up more land than the entire Vatican City.
What is Vy looking to achieve?
Autonomous technology is still evolving and practical experience is required in order for the technology to become a real and valuable part of public transport offerings. For this reason, Vy participates in several projects in collaboration with local authorities, technology companies and the government.
- Learning and influencing:Vy participates in projects to understand how autonomous technology works in practice and to find our role in the future mobility landscape. At the same time, we want to contribute to ensuring that the technology is developed in a safe, responsible and socially beneficial manner – in close collaboration with the authorities and partners.
- Preparing and identifying:We test new operating and staffing models to identify the skills we will require in future. We are also working to identify technical, practical and legal barriers that must be overcome before the technology can be implemented on a larger scale.
All projects are carried out with a high degree of safety, careful monitoring and control. Our role is to learn, share insights and actively contribute to the safe and sustainable development of the transport solutions of the future.
How does it work?
In order for a vehicle to be autonomous, it needs to perform five advanced tasks.
1. Positioning
Identify its actual position.
2. Perception
Understand its position relative to the surroundings.
3. Prediction
Predict the actions of other road users.
4. Planning
Plan the best action based on the predicted pattern of action of other road users.
5. Control
Perform the planned action.
Autonomy in vehicles
The image illustrates the levels of autonomy in vehicles. There are five levels of autonomy, from 1 to 5. Vehicles without any aids for steering, braking and/or acceleration are at level 0.
Previous and ongoing pilots
Autonomous bus in Kongsberg
2018–2021: Norway’s first autonomous bus in regular public service – even in winter.
- 5000+ passengers.
- First globally to operate with passengers and no safety host.
- Tested in mixed traffic, including challenging winter conditions.
- Positive feedback, especially from the elderly.
- International attention.
- Important step towards the public transport of the future.
Autonomous on-demand bus in Trondheim
August–October 2020: Europe’s first autonomous on-demand bus.
- Request via app.
- 25 virtual stops within a limited area.
- Operated autonomously with safety host.
- Autonomous, zero-emission transport can work well in urban environments with mixed traffic.
- Valuable insights for further development.
Autonomous bus at Herøya Industrial Park
October–November 2020: First autonomous bus pilot without a safety operator on board in northern Europe.
- 200 passengers.
- Operated autonomously without a safety host, but with digital remote monitoring.
- Closed route with pedestrians, vehicles and logistics activities.
- Safe and stable operation without any adverse events.
- Important experience of remote monitoring and autonomous transport in industrial environments.
Autonomous bus in Førde
Autumn 2021: Western Norway’s first autonomous minibus – tested in urban traffic and local weather.
- 4000 passengers.
- Safety host on board.
- 2-km route in an area that previously had no public transport services.
- Positive feedback and experience with local weather and the urban environment.
- Autonomous vehicles can meet mobility needs in areas that lack regular services.
Autonomous bus in Drammen
2021–2023: First autonomous bus in Norway to be integrated into regular urban traffic.
- 12,000 passengers.
- Operated with a host and forms part of the regular public transport offering.
- Tested in urban traffic with pedestrian streets and traffic lights.
- High operational reliability.
- Positive feedback.
- Valuable experience of challenging urban environments.
Large autonomous bus in Stavanger
2022–2024: One of the world’s first pilots using a large autonomous bus.
- 10,000+ passengers.
- Remote monitoring and safety driver on board.
- Urban environment with a simple route and low traffic load.
- Up to 97% autonomous operation.
- Safe and efficient operation in urban traffic.
- Laid the foundations to scale up and expand the route and functionality for the next phase.
Expanded autonomous bus route in Stavanger
2023–ongoing: First large-scale test of a large autonomous bus in regular urban traffic.
- 6000+ passengers.
- Complex route with tunnel, roundabouts and traffic lights.
- Safety driver remains on board.
- Up to 40 km/h and high proportion of autonomous operation.
- Reliable operation, no accidents or dangerous situations.
- The greatest challenges were linked to badly parked vehicles.