Joint press release from Capoco and Frog Navigation
22 September 2006
Anglo-Dutch cooperation to target eco-friendly driverless bus opportunities
An Anglo-Dutch co-operation, announced today, will present unique solutions to the fast-developing opportunities for pollution-free, low cost personalised public transport provided by intelligent ‘driverless’ buses in city centre operations. Initially opportunities in the UK, China and the US will be targeted.
Capoco Design of the UK, which has pioneered its mobilicity PPT (for Personalised Public Transport) concept, and Frog Navigation Systems BV of The Netherlands, which has provided a range of automated transport systems for passenger and goods transport, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly collaborate on the design of this revolutionary public transport idea.
“There is no doubt that the era of automated, demand responsive public transport systems, which avoid the need for expensive drivers through the use of advanced electronic guidance systems, is almost here”, says Alan Ponsford, Design Director at Capoco and the man behind the mobilicity concept developed with the backing of London’s prestigious Royal College of Art.
“Across the world manufacturers and operators are realising that, for some applications, driverless systems present new opportunities to prove environmentally acceptable and low cost public transport systems which will attract car users by offering a genuine door-to-door alternative”, said Mr Ponsford.
“We are delighted to have secured this agreement with Capoco, whose approach to the concept of personalised public transport will mesh well with our proven automated systems”, said Carel van Helsdingen, President of Utrecht-based Frog. “When equipped with Frog’s guidance and control system the mobilicity concept fits well with our goal of becoming the leading navigation technology supplier for automated transportation systems.
“Together with Capoco, our subsidiary 2getthere will be seeking to exploit opportunities for automated passenger transport systems. Initially these are likely to be pioneered in ‘closed’ environments such as high profile events like the Shanghai World Trade Fair in 2010 or London Olympics in 2012 but ultimately our joint goal will be to provide solutions for congested and polluted urban environments”, said Mr van Helsdingen.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Capoco has provided fundamental design input to all of the most successful bus models in the UK, to a series of city buses and tourist coaches in China and to a range of city buses in the USA. In 2003/4 it sponsored a research project at the Royal College of Art to mark its 25th anniversary and this led to the mobilicity PPT concept.
Frog Navigation Systems
Frog has provided a range of automated guided vehicle goods handling systems for clients such as VW, General Motors, Nestlé, Sony and Hewlett Packard and its subsidiary 2getthere markets Automated People Mover Systems for personal and group transportation. Frog-technology provides the guidance and control systems for the recently announced Phileas Bus Rapid Transport system.
For further information please contact:
Martin Hayes, Automotive PR Ltd +44 207 494 8050 mhayes@automotivepr.com
Last modified: September 30, 2006