One signal

Update

What changed

Silicon UK reports that the Ohmio Lift used in Margate has an operational top speed of 40mph, although it was limited to 16mph during the trial. That puts the trial speed in context: it was a cap for the demonstration, not the vehicle’s stated maximum.

The report says the shuttle uses onboard LiDAR, obstacle detection and cameras, alongside a remote monitoring system, to navigate autonomously. Its safety driver could also control it manually with a joystick.

Ohmio had begun road testing the vehicle on 8 October ahead of the event, according to the report, which identifies the company as a subsidiary of New Zealand-based HMI Technologies. These details add a clearer picture of the hardware and human oversight behind the Margate demonstration.

Sources and evidence

• Margate Trials Driverless Shuttle Bus – Silicon UK: Silicon UK reports that the Margate trial vehicle has an operational upper speed of 40mph, was limited to 16mph for the demonstration, uses LiDAR, obstacle detection, cameras and remote monitoring, can be controlled by its onboard safety driver with a joystick, and began road testing on 8 October.

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