With diverse expertise in the engineering and technology field, researchers from Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) are currently developing a smart bus with a computer system to move on its own without a driver (self-driving).
The Smart Campus Autonomous Vehicle (SCAV) is equipped with various sensors and smart technology computers to move from one destination to another by itself through the control of a computer system equipped with on-campus traffic information.
The development process is in the final stages with 80 percent completion and is now focusing on high-specification algorithms and technology in the bus. Some pilot tests are also carried out before it can be fully operational as a facility for campus residents, which is expected to be completed in 2022.
The bus concept was introduced as a future vehicle contributing to environmental sustainability and improving the public transport system. The bus will go through a mapping process to get information on the environment en route. The information will be sent to a computer system to identify the position of the self-driving bus. Several types of sensors are used, among others light detection and ranging (LIDAR), inertial measurement unit (IMU), cameras and several other sensors to obtain information about the environment of this self-driving bus route.
The researcher will also develop more detailed software and research to make the system more stable in more extreme conditions or uncontrolled environments. Predicting complex situations is very important in the development of self-driving buses. This is the most crucial factor for this bus to be test-driven and boarded by users.