Volvo is showcasing its autonomous bus to specially invited guests during the Volvo Ocean Race competition in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Based on Volvo's commercially produced electric city bus, the prototype has been modified for autonomous operation.

Volvo says that at the demo event, there will be presentations to demonstrate how this technology can contribute to “safer and more comfortable travel,” as well as more efficient handling of vehicles in the depot.

“With low noise level and emission-free operation, electric bus systems provide an excellent alternative for attractive and sustainable public transport,” explains Håkan Agnevall, President Volvo Buses.

“With various degrees of automation, we can make even further progress regarding safety, comfort and efficiency. Leveraging Volvo Group technologies, we will demonstrate these opportunities for the future during the Volvo Ocean Race.”

Designed to give passengers a safe and comfortable ride, the autonomous bus is programmed to accelerate and brake gently and smoothly when starting off and stopping.

The bus always halts in exactly the same position at bus stops, with the same gap between the bus and the platform for convenient entry and exit.

​The vehicle's sensors maintain a “constant watch” around it. Additionally, these sensors provide information that is used to navigate the vehicle. In the future, the sensors will help identify objects approaching the bus so that it can adjust its speed accordingly, or stop altogether, in an effort to help prevent incidents and accidents.

Volvo also notes that the autonomous bus is designed for gentle driving so that its operation is as “energy-efficient, environmentally friendly and economical as possible.”

According to Agnevall, the vehicle’s technology allows for “more efficient vehicle handling when the bus is not in traffic operation.” Agnevall says, “with autonomous buses depot staff can focus on service and maintenance instead of having to charge the batteries, drive to the bus wash and park the bus. Tomorrow's buses will be able to do all this on their own.”

The autonomous bus will also reportedly be used for research into bus platooning as well.

“Volvo has been a pioneer within high capacity transport systems based on buses, so called Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Now we take the next step by using automation to wirelessly connect the buses to bus trains with high flexibility,” Agnevall notes.

“Electric bus systems provide an attractive alternative to rail bound solutions in the cities' future public transport.”

The bus will be used in two automotive research projects— FFI's Autonomous City Buses project and KRABAT—over the next two years. FFI is the Strategic Vehicle Research and Innovation Programme, which is a cooperative venture between the automotive industry and the Swedish state, while KRABAT is part of the Swedish government's joint program entitled "Next-generation travel and transport", financed partly by Vinnova through Drive Sweden.