On 9 January 2023, autonomous vehicle start-up MooVita launched an autonomous first/last mile shuttle service at Ngee Ann Polytechnic.
The service operates in loops around the campus. It is currently offered for free, and operates on weekdays in the mornings and at lunchtime.
Background
Moovita (also stylised MooVita) is a Singapore-based autonomous vehicle start-up developing smart mobility solutions for urban environments. They have been in operation since 2016, and have produced vehicle-agnostic driverless software capabilities for applications such as first and last-mile transportation, logistics transportation, and utility solutions.
The autonomous shuttle trial is conducted in collaboration with Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) and operates around the school campus, with ten stops en-route stops.
Service Pattern
The autonomous shuttle provided by MooVita is available only on weekdays and does not operate on public holidays.
In the morning, there are three trips from King Albert Park MRT Station to the Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) campus. During lunchtime, the same route is operated within the NP campus with six trips.
MooVita’s autonomous bus is called the MooBus, based on the King Long XMQ6650GEV electric minibus platform with two passenger doors and fourteen seats. It is registered under the Research & Development plate RD3193Y. The bus features a black-themed livery with polka-dot patterns, and externally-mounted sensors and cameras form part of the autonomous sensor suite.
The bus is manned by a safety driver who is trained to take over immediate control of the vehicle should the need arise, and to operate the bus manually during adverse driving conditions.
Apart from the driver, the MooBus is accompanied by a member of staff whilst on shuttle runs, thus restricting the bus capacity to 13 seated passengers only. All passengers must remain seated and keep their seatbelts securely fastened during the journey.
As part of the collaboration with Ngee Ann Polytechnic, its students have also developed an information display panel that shows MooBus passenger count and bus stop information. This development helps to improve the user experience in the vehicle.
Service Information
The autonomous shuttle plies two different routes in the mornings and at lunchtime. Detailed timings are included in the poster.
| NP Shuttle Service by MooVita |
||
| Morning Service | Lunchtime Service | |
| Route | King Albert Park MRT ↺ Ngee Ann Polytechnic | Ngee Ann Polytechnic internal loop |
| Operating Hours | Weekdays, except Public Holidays 0730hrs, 0815hrs, 0900hrs from King Albert Park |
Weekdays, except Public Holidays 1130hrs – 1420hrs, refer to the poster for detailed timings |
| Frequency | 45 mins | 30 mins |
| Fare | Free rides | |
| Capacity | 13 Seated Passengers only (No Standing Allowed) For safety reasons, pregnant, wheelchair-bound passengers or those with existing medical conditions should not ride the autonomous shuttle service |
|
Gallery
Social media
View this post on Instagram
MooBus Specifications
Provided by MooVita on their website.
| MooVita MooBus: Technical Specifications | |
| Vehicle Type | – Single-deck, high-floor bus – Full electric – Dual-mode operation (Manual, Autonomous) – Left/Right-Hand Drive |
| Size | 7m (L) x 2.1m (W) x 3m (H) |
| Weight | Curb Weight: 5,250kg | GVW: 7,600kg |
| Carrying Capacity | Standard: 13 seated, 17 standing |
| Door | 2-door configuration |
| Power | Lithium Iron Phosphate, 90kWh |
| Max. operating speed | Up to 60km/h (Autonomous mode) |
| Typical range | 90km, depending on operating scenarios |
| Charging | – CCS2 Plug-In Connection – DC Charges (min. 600VDC output) – ~60min charging time (from 20%-100% SOC) |
| Autonomous capabilities | – SAE Level 4 Autonomy – Designed to operate under day and night; mixed city traffic; normal and moderate rain weather conditions – Designed for urban city driving and automated bus operations |
See Also
References
- 6m Electric Bus, 6650 | Passenger Bus | King Long (kinglong-bus.com) [Accessed 14 Jan 2023]
- MooBus – Moovita [Accessed 14 Jan 2023]
- 博涯部落-博涯部落提供与迪拜，东南亚博彩专题新闻，相关新闻一网打尽 – boyabuluo.com (bysee3.com) [Accessed 14 Jan 2023]
- Ngee Ann Polytechnic on Instagram: “Did you spot our MooBus (aka MooVita) 🚌 moo-ving around campus? It’s our newly launched AUTONOMOUS campus shuttle. Hop on it at the…” [Accessed 14 Jan 2023]
I was hoping for on-demand mode, much like a horizontal elevator. Then I can take the bus much like how I would with an elevator: press the desired destination, wait for the bus to come, then get on board.
That is just essentially a Destination Dispatch XD.
This one is just to 騙小孩子 one, is it? 😆
Actually, the chemical school of NP can be accessed via the SIM campus and bus stops.
The one nearer to the NP bus stops is the business school.
Only the engineering school of NP need to travel long distance, thus requiring the shuttle bus service.
Should have just close down the engineering school of NP and merge it with the engineering school of SP, which is just next to Dover MRT station only.