The autonomous, eight-passenger minibus was launched in spring 2021 and is being developed by a team, led by Engineering Professor Amir Khajepour (Canada's Research Chair in Mechatronic Vehicle Systems), of more than 20 researchers in the Mechatronic Vehicle Systems Laboratory.
“Ring Road is a great testbed for autonomous vehicles because it has intersections, railroad tracks, bicycles, jaywalkers and construction – it’s a busy environment,” says Khajepour. “But it’s also a great way for us to give another service to the University.”
The shuttle has gained attention around the world, but Khajepour points out the technology behind the first self-driving shuttle at a Canadian university will likely make its way into health care, airports, mining and other industries long before the wheel of your own self-driving car.
See University of Waterloo Magazine for full story.