Ericsson has run a successful trial of on-board digital safety and remote digital monitoring on a 5G self-driving bus.
The trial within the Ericsson-backed 5G Ride project took place near Ericsson’s HQ in Kista, Stockholm.
The project has explored how 5G and remote monitoring of vehicles via control towers could facilitate self-driving electric buses in urban environments in a safe way.
The initiative – a collaboration between Ericsson, Urban ICT Arena, Intel, Keolis, T-Engineering and Telia – started in September last year with a temporary bus route on the island of Djurgarden.
This year, the project partners developed the Connected Control Tower concept, using a 5G connection and a combination of new digital safety features, to monitor and manage fleets of self- driving vehicles on public roads, as well as enhance the safety and security of passengers onboard.
As part of the project, the partners recently conducted tests using the self-driving 5G Ride electric minibus.
Ericsson provided the technical solution for the 5G-connected control tower and Telia provided connectivity in collaboration with Ericsson.
Intel focused on analytics in the bus for increased passenger safety. T-Engineering delivered the vehicle and self-driving technology, working closely with Ericsson to integrate the minibus with the control tower. The initiative is also backed by Vinnova and Drive Sweden.