The most advanced automated vehicle in Australia has been unveiled.
The Palaszczuk Government today launched its purpose-built $1.5 million Renault ZOE2, showcasing the highly automated vehicle in a suburban environment.
For six kilometres the ZOE2 navigated roundabouts, cross streets and driveways through Shailer Park in Brisbane’s south.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the strong showing is proof Queensland wants to lead the way on automated vehicle technology.
“Not only do we want Queensland roads to be AV-ready, we want Queensland industry to be AV-ready too and to create the jobs of the future right here,” Mr Bailey said.
The specially built car is packed with high-tech sensors, LIDAR, cameras, computers and software.
It will play a crucial role in the Palaszczuk Government’s Cooperative and Highly Automated Driving program, which will travel around the state over coming years testing the state’s AV-readiness.
The Queensland public will get its first taste of the see ZOE2 at QUT’s Robotronica event, this Sunday at the Gardens Point campus.
Built by French research consortium VEDECOM, CEO Philippe Watteau said the research collaboration was looking forward to working together with Queensland researchers.
“We are pleased to have supplied ZOE2 to TMR/QUT and are looking forward to working together in the fast-developing field of sustainable, shared and autonomous mobility,” Mr Watteau said.
“Our cooperation with Queensland researchers underpins our common goal of identifying innovative mobility solutions and reinforces France-Australia strategic cooperation in the field of innovation.”
ZOE2 is supported by the Motor Accident Insurance Commission, iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre and QUT’s Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety – Queensland (CARRS-Q).
iMOVE Australia Managing Director Ian Christianson said the research work was a crucial step to helping the nation get the best outcomes from the introduction of highly automated vehicles.
“iMOVE is pleased to support this important work, which is helping to progress our understanding of the benefits and limitations of highly automated vehicles,” Mr Christianson said.
CARRS-Q Director Professor Andry Rakotonirainy said the unique research vehicle, one of the most advanced of its type, was born from strong international collaboration and would enhance Australia’s capacity to assess the safety of automated vehicles.
“This vehicle will facilitate multidisciplinary investigations into how road users accept, adopt and cooperate with new automated systems. This highly automated vehicle will assist in identifying and addressing policy, institutional, societal and regulatory challenges to ensure their safe integration into our transport system,” Professor Rakotonirainy said.
