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The World's First Fleet of Driverless Taxis

Posted by: Chris Steins
Thanks to: Jerry Schneider
29 May 2007 - 1:00pm

Heathrow Airport is set to launch what may be the world's largest trial of a personal rapid transit (PRT) system. The electric "pod cabs" will carry passengers and luggage from a parking area to a new terminal -- a journey of about four minutes.

"The first stage of the project, costing about £30m, is due to come into service later next year to take passengers on a four-minute journey from a car park to the new terminal 5, which will open in the spring.

...The 'personal rapid transit system' is already being built and has completed trials. Each pod resembles a small car with two 'fronts' and sliding doors. It has conventional tyres."

The ULTra system, for Urban Light Transport, is scheduled to be operational at Heathrow by 2008 and could be expanded to other British airports by 2011. The technology has been developed by Advanced Transport Systems Ltd (ATS). The British Airports Authority (BAA) has also invested £7.5 million in the company to advance the commercialization of the vehicles and control systems.

Advanced Transport Systems Ltd. www.atsltd.co.uk
An example of the electric pods. (Image courtesy of Advanced Transport Systems Ltd., www.atsltd.co.uk)

The Bristol-based manufacturer of the pods, Advanced Transport Systems, features a variety of images on its website.

Full Story: Welcome to Heathrow, your robocab awaits
Source: The Times (UK), May 27, 2007
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“
As it becomes increasingly clear that the "speed" of the self-park garage is more a matter of perception than reality, a mechanized approach begins to look just as efficient and reliable, if designed properly.
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