Image(s) of the Day: Driverless pods to run on Singapore’s roads by end of 2016 Futuristic cars that run on Lithium batteries. By the end of 2016, those living in Singapore will be cruising around on “Group Rapid Transit” driverless pods. Created by 2getthere, the vehicles run on electricity and can travel autonomously on smaller roads, such as those within a gated community or school campus. Singaporean transportation operator SMRT and 2getthere announced that they will build 24-passenger cars expected to be running by the end of the year. The two companies have created a joint venture called 2getthere Asia, which will operate and maintain the vehicles in the city. 2getthere also built a similar system in Rotterdam’s Rivium Business Park, which has six running vehicles with the ability to carry 20 passengers each. Approximately 2,500 people use the pods a day in the park. SMRT is the second-largest public transportation company in Signapore, operating a number of the country’s bus and subway train networks. The driverless pods will have a low-cost transit system that is capable of carrying up to 8,000 passengers per hour going in a single direction. Similar to the ones that run in Abu Dhabi’s cleantech business park, Masdar City, the pods run on Lithium batteries and can return to the base to charge themselves. “The first step is the feasibility study, the next step is the trial, which is the proof of the pudding, and then, the full implementation,” Carel van Helsdingen, 2getthere’s chairman and founder said. With the recent buzz surrounding autonomous vehicles of the future, we can say this: they’re finally here. Source: Mashable By Jennifer Korszun
Interesting concept. A good option for those who have lost their license, due to suspension or revocation.
The range killer for electric vehicles is keeping the occupants cool in the summer sun. All the glass and it appears glass roof as well means the solar load on that vehicle may well require more of the battery energy for cooling than for locomotion. And were does the electricity come from to charge the batteries? If it's a fossil fuel fired plant the carbon generation is not that much different than fuel efficient diesel powered vehicles so it sounds all green and earth dayish to the enviro crowd but...
They do now make solar electric generating windows now. (I have no idea if they are in use here, but they could be.) There are also a few versions of solar charging stations that look promising. (They charge as long as they have sun, and discharge only when recharging the car, or to be used as a back up power generator.)
The Singapore version won't be on the main public roads, at least to start. They'll be used on the campuses and within residential "estate" areas. These days, they are trying out car free areas, mainly in the shopping districts. I'd guess that the next step will be to close off the shopping areas and put those pods to work, starting (I imagine) on Orchard Road.
And that is during the drilling process. After the rig is gone the location is leveled and grass replanted. After a couple years it is hard to even find if you don't know where to look. I know, I have driven around for hours trying to find a producing well!