Just as Google has made a push in recent years to enter the race for market-ready self-driving vehicles, Yandex, Russia's version of Google, has announced that it will release a self-driving shuttle bus. The giant search engine is building its self-driving shuttle bus in collaboration with Daimler, Kamaz (a Russian truck manufacturer) and NAMI (a Russian government-backed R & D firm.)
Yandex's self-driving shuttle will have room for 12 passengers and it will run on an electric motor that should last 200 kilometers between charges. The buses will also feature Yandex's technology, with screens for searching the web, watching videos and communicating.
The self-driving shuttle bus is expected to begin tests in 2017, however its official release date is not yet known.
Self-Driving Shuttle Buses
The Yandex Bus is Expected to Hit the Road in 2017
Trend Themes
1. Self-driving Shuttle Buses - The integration of self-driving technology in public transportation presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the mobility industry.
2. Collaboration in Self-driving Technology - Collaboration between tech giants, automakers and governments on self-driving shuttle buses presents a new trend towards multi-disciplinary partnerships in innovation.
3. In-vehicle Entertainment Systems - The integration of interactive screens in self-driving shuttle buses for entertainment and communication purposes presents a new trend towards in-vehicle experiential travel.
Industry Implications
1. Mobility Industry - The production and integration of self-driving shuttle buses can disrupt the traditional modes and forms of public transportation.
2. Tech Industry - The partnership between tech giants, automakers and governments in the development of self-driving technologies can create new business opportunities and markets.
3. Entertainment Industry - The integration of interactive screens in self-driving shuttle buses presents a new market for in-vehicle entertainment experiences.