One of the first driverless transport system in the 海角视频 will be launched at Belfast Harbour next year.

The 鈥楬arlander鈥 project will be an automated passenger shuttle service within the Harbour estate, running from the Titanic Quarter train station to the Catalyst Science Park in Queen鈥檚 Island.

It will provide residents, visitors and employees with transport to venues such as Titanic Belfast, Catalyst and Belfast Metropolitan College. The operation of the shuttle will also support Belfast Harbour鈥檚 delivery of a Strategic Transport Masterplan for Queen鈥檚 Island.

Mike Dawson, People and Corporate Services Director at Belfast Harbour, said: 鈥淏elfast Harbour has a long track record of delivering and supporting innovation, so we are delighted to be establishing the 海角视频鈥檚 first operationally ready and commercially viable deployment of a fully automated shuttle service on publicly accessible roads within the Harbour Estate. This announcement supports our Smart Port ambitions and shows our commitment to the development of Belfast鈥檚 Innovation District.

鈥淭he City鈥檚 Innovation District has enormous potential for growth and we at Belfast Harbour want to play our part in helping to build an innovation eco-system that brings investment into the economy. Electrified connected and automated vehicles offer a route to provide a clean, efficient, and affordable public transport that aligns with net zero targets and provides connectivity to other modes of transport.鈥

Belfast Harbour is leading the development of the service alongside a consortium of partners that includes REE Automotive, Angoka, BT and Horiba Mira.

The initiative has been awarded 拢5.5million in funding from Innovate 海角视频, which is working with the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles to invest 拢41.5m in innovation projects across the 海角视频 that demonstrate real world benefits of connected and autonomous vehicles.

Business Secretary Grant Shapps said: 鈥淚n just a few years鈥 time, the business of self-driving vehicles could add tens of billions to our economy and create tens of thousands of jobs across the 海角视频. This is a massive opportunity to drive forward our priority to grow the economy, which we are determined to seize.

"The support we are providing today will help our transport and technology pioneers steal a march on the global competition, by turning their bright ideas into market-ready products sooner than anyone else.鈥

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: 鈥淪elf-driving vehicles including buses will positively transform people鈥檚 everyday lives 鈥 making it easier to get around, access vital services and improve regional connectivity. We鈥檙e supporting and investing in the safe rollout of this incredible technology to help maximise its full potential, while also creating skilled jobs and boosting growth in this important sector.鈥

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