LUTZ Pathfinder

The LUTZ Pathfinder is a prototype autonomous microcar. The two-seater prototype pod has been built by Coventry-based RDM Group, and was first shown to the public in February 2015.

The LUTZ (Low-carbon Urban Transport Zone)[1] Pathfinder pod is part of the UK Government's Transport Systems Catapult Autodrive project, a £20 million project.[2]

Three pods were tested initially in Milton Keynes during 2015 to ensure that they can comply with the Highway Code.[3]

Specification

The pod is a two-seater electric car with space for luggage. It has a limited top speed of 15 mph (24 km/h) and has a range of 40 miles (64 km) or can run for eight hours. The self-driving equipment includes 19 sensors, cameras, radar and Lidar. Users can hail them by using a smartphone app.[4]

The autonomous control software is developed by Mobile Robotics Group from University of Oxford.[5]

Partners

The Lutz Pathfinder pod has been developed by the UK Automotive Council, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and RDM Group.

Public trials

The first trial of autonomous operation on a public road, with pedestrians, cycles and other vehicles, was conducted in Milton Keynes on 11 October 2016. The vehicles "operated as expected."[6]

References

  1. ^ Brown, Graeme (30 May 2014). "Midland firm chosen to make UK first driverless cars". Birmingham Post. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  2. ^ Burn-Callander, Rebecca (11 February 2015). "This is the Lutz pod, the UK's first driverless car". Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 11 February 2015. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  3. ^ Davies, Rob (2016-10-11). "Self-driving car tested for first time in UK in Milton Keynes". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2019-08-02.
  4. ^ Jane, Wakefield (11 February 2015). "Driverless car review launched by UK government". BBC News. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  5. ^ Olson, Parmy (18 February 2016). "The Powerful Brain Behind Driverless Fleets Is Already Being Built". Forbes. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  6. ^ Davis, Rob (12 October 2016). "Driverless car passes first public test in UK". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 October 2016.