CES 2023: ZF autonomous shuttle launched

German auto parts giant ZF has launched a new electric passenger shuttle at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show that features its latest Level 4 autonomous driving tech.

The new bus, dubbed the Next Generation Shuttle, is said to feature Lidar, radar, camera and audio sensors to detail its surroundings, while powerful processors and ZF’s own autonomous driving software enables the 15-seater bus to navigate an urban environment.

ZF claims the shuttle offers both high levels of reliability and multiple redundancies (or fail-safes), should the worst happen.

Available with batteries that range from 50-100kWh, the most expensive versions of ZF’s self-driving battery-electric bus can cover up to 130km between top-ups.

Initially, the shuttle will have a top speed limited to 40km/h, but in the future ZF says it is planning to raise that to around 80km/h.

Boosting the shuttle’s manoeuvrability around town, ZF has engineered the small bus to have front and rear steering.

There’s also a kneeling function and a self-deploying ramp to aid pram or wheelchair users.

Said to feature 15 seats, the bus can be licensed to carry up to 22 passengers.

ZF hasn’t provided a timeline for when the first batch of Next Generation Shuttle buses will enter service, but says it has teamed up with US-based mobility provider Beep that has contracts for thousands of shuttles, hinting the bus could be rolled out shortly.

ZF says it now offers two shuttles – one to be used in segregated lanes and the new Next Generation Shuttle that is designed to operate in urban environments and mixed traffic.