At first glance, it's a bus like any other with 18 seats and around 50 standing.
At the wheel, there is a RATP machinist.
In reality, he is not the driver: the steering wheel moves on its own, braking is done automatically depending on the traffic lights or traffic.
A multitude of sensors tell the on-board computer which decisions to make.
The agent is only there to regain control just in case.
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Welcome to the first autonomous bus in France.
It has been running since Monday during the day on line 393 in Sucy-Bonneuil, in the Paris region.
For the moment, there is no question of bringing in travelers.
The machine is traveling empty, but in real conditions, in traffic.
"If the Ministry of Ecological Transition gives us the authorization, we would like to continue the experiment and transport passengers in this bus from the fall of 2022"
, affirms Côme Berbain, director of innovation of the RATP group.
The road will be long
The historic operator of urban transport is not late: in the world, the autonomous bus has only been tested in China and in Malaga in Spain. If the RATP is following this subject very closely, it is because this technology has a bright future. According to some projections, 13% of buses could be autonomous by 2035. With substantial gains: energy savings first because the robot drives with less jerk than a human. But also the possibility of making circulate more buses on the same line, as one does on the automated lines of the Parisian subway, in particular the 14.
The Régie therefore has an interest in taking a date: mastering the operation of these machines can be an asset in eventually winning calls for tenders in France, but also internationally.
But it will be a long road before we get on a bus like this frequently.
“Regular commercial operation will begin at the earliest by 2025 and its launch still depends on many parameters,”
underlines Côme Berbain.
Chinese manufacturer
There are still a lot of problems to be solved for the autonomous bus to be completely reliable.
Thus, by carrying out night tests on line 393 this summer, the RATP had to review the reaction of this means of public transport when the light turns red or orange.
Another area of concern: at the moment, there are few manufacturers of autonomous buses.
The one used on line 393 is manufactured by CRCC.
The Chinese industrialist is the only one to have responded to the call for projects launched two years ago by the French public group.
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Finally, this issue has a social dimension: it will be necessary to convince the machinists that this technological revolution does not put an end to their profession.
“There will always be staff on board
, insists Côme Berbain.
Even if he no longer drives, the agent will still be responsible for selling tickets or providing security on the bus. ”
But, even before all its problems are resolved, RATP intends to make the classic buses benefit from this experiment. For example, by equipping them with a camera installed on autonomous buses which eliminates the blind spot.
