Dutch town becomes the first to carry passengers in its driverless WEpod public shuttle

An electric, driverless shuttle bus is taking to Dutch public roads for the first time today. 

The event will involve taxiing six passengers along a 655ft (200 metre) stretch of road in the first trial of its kind worldwide.

The WEpod, one of a fleet to be rolled out in coming years, will ride back and forth in the central Dutch town of Wageningen.

The WEpod is a self-propelled vehicle without control and without pedals. 

It runs completely automatically on electricity and inside the shuttle is a six-seater cab with automatic doors and a ramp for wheelchair use. 

The pod's maximum speed is 25mph (40km/h) but when driving on roads its speed will be restricted to 15.5mph (25km/h).

Computerworld