The Mercedes-Benz self driving bus, which is called "Future Bus,'' completed a significant trip that showcased how the global automobile manufacturer's CityPilot autonomous driving technology can help it successfully navigate a complicated urban route.
The "Future Bus'' 12-mile trip took along a route in the Netherlands that connects Amsterdam Airport Schiphol with the town of Haarlem. The challenge for Mercedes-Benz' "Future Bus'' included passing through tunnels, crossing intersections with traffic lights, as well as numerous bends, according to Geek Wire.
This is a huge achievement for the program of Mercedes-Benz, in which it is in arrears to its origins to the transport truck-focused Highway Pilot program that was first introduced by Mercedes two years ago.
That autonomous vehicle program did not confront and deal with the added challenges of maneuvering an urban environment, however, the test run of the ''Future Bus" was still successful, based on the report of Tech Crunch.
The vehicle isn't just a brainy piece of efficient technology. Mercedes has their center of interest in making sure that it's appropriate to the city of the future, and accordingly spending major time into designing the vehicle's interior.
According to the official press site of Mercedes-Benz, the bus has displays for entertainment and other media, as well as a ceiling which is designed to have the qualities of a forested canopy.
Although a rule made and maintained by an authority still require a human operator in case of an emergency, the intelligent system of the vehicle was designed for a much smoother ride for everyone, Engadget reported.
The "Future Bus" of Mercedes-Benz is actually connected to the city network, with that, the vehicle can communicate directly with the city infrastructure, as well as traffic lights. The camera systems installed in the vehicle can even distinguish the road for potholes - in a way the buses can avoid rough patches on their next trip.
Watch the video of Mercedes-Benz' "Future Bus" here:
