According to media reports, Scotland is said to launch the world's first autonomous bus service. The self-driving buses are scheduled to begin operations in May this year and will have the capacity to ferry 10,000 passengers each week.
The autonomous single-deck buses will be operated by Stagecoach on a predetermined 14-mile (23 km) route around Scotland's capital city of Edinburgh. The autonomous buses will be capable of travelling at up to 80 km/h. Also, each bus will have a safety driver monitoring the entire system and capable of taking control at any moment. There will also be a second bus captain, helping customers board the bus and buy tickets.
Stagecoach claims that the autonomous tech could lead to an eventual reduction in fare costs. Also, once the buses have proven themselves reliable and the passengers become used to the idea, the 'drivers' could be removed entirely. Stagecoach also confirmed that the human driver would step in only when necessary. The company claims that an autonomous bus is safer as it has 360-degree vision, can react faster and see better in bad weather and doesn't fatigue or get distracted.
Source: CarScoops