UAE-based ION has wrapped up the pilot trial of its NAVYA AUTONOM autonomous shuttles at the University City of Sharjah, a large integrated educational district in the UAE.

The trial, which was overseen by Sharjah Police, evaluated the operational efficiency of the driverless shuttles.

The autonomous shuttles are expected to aid students to commute between colleges and feature different deep learning technologies such as 3D vision and environment recognition, as well as automatic route navigation.

They are equipped with IoT sensors to ensure optimal safety and also feature motion-sensor doors.

The smart shuttles provide smooth, smart, and sustainable mobility and do not produce emissions. They are also wheelchair-accessible and can accommodate 15 passengers.

Emirates News Agency quoted ION chairman and Bee’ah group CEO Khaled Al Huraimel as saying: “I am pleased to announce the successful completion of our NAVYA autonomous shuttle trials at Sharjah University City.

“The smart electric shuttles have the potential to offer regular and dependable services within the city while reducing vehicular traffic and improving air quality.

“ION is committed to dramatically transforming human movement and shared mobility solutions while driving rapid and mass adoption of electric vehicles to limit vehicular exhaust emissions, reduce air pollution and encourage a more sustainable quality of life here in the UAE.”

The shuttles are part of a fleet that has been operating in Masdar City since October 2018.

In January, the company partnered with NAVYA to develop the shared autonomous transport concept in the MENA region.

In March, US-based technology firm Velodyne Lidar entered a multi-year sales agreement with NAVYA to power the latter’s autonomous shuttles with its sensors.