Oxbotica and NEVS to develop autonomous electric taxis

A fleet of autonomous electric cars could be deployed on public roads by the end of 2023, as part of a new partnership between Oxbotica and NEVS.

The two companies have signed a long-term strategic partnership to develop a fleet of self-driving, all-electric vehicles which, they say, will “revolutionise urban mobility and enable communities to reduce carbon emissions”.

Oxbotica’s driver autonomy system will be integrated into the NEVS ‘Sango’ vehicle. An initial fleet will be deployed on geo-fenced public roads next year, followed by multiple projects in Europe in 2024.

From 2025 onwards, the solution will be scaled globally, as part of the NEVS mobility ecosystem, which comprises the ‘Sango’ vehicle, a fleet management system and an app as the user interface.

The NEVS ‘Sango’ vehicle is designed specifically for autonomous driving and optimised for shared passenger transportation in cities. The all-electric, fully autonomous vehicle has an adaptable, flexible interior. Six movable seats can be operated in social or family mode for riding with friends or loved ones, while privacy walls can create four smaller areas for shared, private journeys.

The vehicle will be driven by Oxbotica’s full stack autonomy system, Oxbotica Driver - a low-energy-use, high-performance suite of technologies that works safely and seamlessly with any sensor, vehicle, or platform.

Gavin Jackson, CEO at Oxbotica, said: “The combination of Oxbotica Driver and this stunning, next-generation, electric vehicle is a perfect match. It allows us to create an urban mobility service that will make roads safer, cleaner, and less congested and provide customers with a new way to travel. The partnership will truly change how the Earth moves and I can’t wait to see the first vehicles out on the road next year.”

Stefan Tilk, President at NEVS, added: “Having a partnership with Oxbotica and being able to progress substantially with its autonomous stack as the “driver”, will indeed make the ecosystem of our mobility solution complete. Through this partnership we will be able to deploy pilots and commercial fleets - ensuring a breakthrough in the movement of people in a green safe and smart way, paving the way for sustainable cities.”