ARDi trial officially launched

An automated vehicle trial in the city of Armidale was officially launched today, with guests getting their first chance to ride aboard the shuttle bus.

The Member for Northern Tablelands, Adam Marshall, was joined by Armidale Regional Council Mayor Simon Murray, other project partners and other guests at the University of New England, which will host Phase 1 of the 12-month trial.

Guests were treated to a loop aboard the vehicle, dubbed ARDi (Automated Regional Driverless Initiative), to demonstrate the state-of-the-art technology that navigates the vehicle.

ARDi is a Level 4 fully-automated EasyMile EZ10 shuttle. After initial mapping and weeks of testing, Phase 1 will provided a regular service between the residential colleges and the main university campus.

Services begin on Thursday 21 February and operate from 10am to 10pm Monday to Friday, with a break for charging during the afternoon peak traffic period from 2-5pm.