An autonomous Ford E-Transit van and minibus has been unveiled by Oxa, representing a significant leap forward in the commercialisation of self-driving technology.

The vehicle is configurable for both commercial van and passenger services (up to 10 seats in minibus form), with the compact hardware ensuring there is no compromise on space inside the vehicle.

It is equipped with standard automotive-grade sensors, including cameras, lidar and radar.

Full 360-degree perception and long-range detection enable autonomous operation up to 35mph in mixed traffic.

Manual controls are preserved, enabling the vehicle to be used flexibly in a non-autonomous mode. 

Gavin Jackson, CEO of Oxa, said: “Making the Ford E-Transit available for autonomous operations is the next step on our journey to deliver safe, scalable, and sustainable autonomous solutions.

“This vehicle represents an important milestone in our mission to reshape the future of passenger transportation and logistics.”

The new Ford E-Transits are the first mass-production vehicles to be converted using Oxa's Reference Autonomy Designs (RADs).

The design blueprints allow for the rapid integration of autonomy on host vehicles, including ‘Driven by Oxa’ software and sensors, compute and drive-by-wire systems.

RADs are defined, prototyped and validated by Oxa, before being used by vehicle OEMs and approved upfitters to mass produce AVs, with distribution and licensing models.

Oxa's autonomous Ford E-Transit is designed to integrate into existing fleets, offering a platform to suit different applications.

To assure the safe and efficient deployment of the Ford E-Transits, Oxa tests and validates using a combination of controlled environments, real-world driving and virtual testing using Oxa’s Spatial artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

Here, generative AI, digital twins and simulation allow accelerated training and evaluation tailored to the customers’ needs.

Both Ford E-Transit vans and minibuses, driven by Oxa are available now, for integration into commercial fleets. 

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Sustainable Mobility Week: November 11 - 15 2024

Held in association with the UK's largest leasing company Ayvens, Sustainable Mobility Week runs from November 11-15, 2024, highlighting and helping prepare fleet/mobility managers and industry stakeholders for the future, with a focus on sustainable mobility and decarbonisation.

Each day is themed and includes best practice articles, fleet manager case studies, opinion pieces and insight into the major challenges and opportunities via a major piece of research being carried out by Ayvens.

Ayvens has published a special report based on surveys with fleet decision-makers into the challenges and progress they have made in adopting sustainable mobility solutions. Make sure you sign up to receive the report.

Topics covered throughout the week (and which will shape the webinar discussion) are:

Day 1: Alternative mobility solutions

Day 2: Infrastructure – electrification and MaaS

Day 3: Policy – fleet and government

Day 4: People – wellbeing and engagement

Day 5: Operational change

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