UK’S FIRST electric autonomous bus service to launch at Milton Park

The UK’s first ever fully electric, autonomous bus service is set to launch to the public at Milton Park in Oxfordshire.

This is following the project’s successful demonstration day on Monday 23rd January that took place at the Park’s flexible workspace, the Bee House, attended by local leaders, occupiers, Buses Minister Richard Holden MP and the project’s consortium partners.

Led by First Bus, the consortium comprising Fusion Processing Ltd, Oxfordshire County Council, University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) and Zipabout with Milton Park (as the host location) has together brought this five-year project into fruition.

Using cutting-edge technology, the Mi-Link project features a 16-seat, single decker minibus which uses Fusion Processing Ltd’s CAVstar Automated Drive System that combines a range of sensors including radar, LiDAR and optical cameras with state-of-the-art artificial intelligence to control all steering, acceleration and braking without the need for human intervention.

The innovative bus service offers passengers a free and green mode of travel from the Park’s flexible workspace, the Bee House, to its Milton Feast street food market area in a circular operation. A qualified safety driver is on board at all times, able to take control of the vehicle if required. The bus is also fully accessible for wheelchair and pram users.