Coventry manufacturer gives driverless vehicle its debut

COVENTRY manufacturer RDM Group gives the first public demonstration of its full size driverless vehicle today.

The firm, which employs 65 people at its base in the city, is planning to use its debut at the CENEX LCV 2016 trade show to trial its Pod Zero® vehicle in full autonomous mode.

Visitors to the show at the Millbrook Proving Ground will be able to see it move around a specially laid out track designed to show its versatility.
 
These demonstration drives represent a major breakthrough in the driverless technology sector and puts RDM ahead of domestic and international rivals – some up to 10 times its size.

“It’s a massive moment for our business and in the UK’s desire to lead the way when it comes to driverless vehicle technology,” said David Keene, who founded the business in 1993.

“The company has invested millions of pounds in the technology and our team has created a vehicle which can operate in total ‘autonomous’ mode. This means that there is no driver or human controlling the vehicle, a UK first when it comes to ‘first and last mile’ transport solutions.”

The company recruited some of the leading experts in the field to help develop the vehicle and a special version has been designed specifically for the show, which is transparent from the wheels up, giving a perfect view of the inside.

The demonstration is expected to attract widespread interest as the company looks to commercialise the technology.

RDM has developed autonomous pods that will be available in two, four and eight seater variations. These are targeted at city transport authorities, airports, shopping centres and academic campuses.

They have an operational range of 60 miles, can travel with a top speed of 15mph and have been designed to accommodate passengers with special requirements featuring wheelchair access and a number of aids to assist the visually impaired.

RDM can manufacture up to 200 of the pods a year at its Coventry manufacturing site and this capability could grow if demand for the vehicle materialises.