Belfast Harbour to get self-driving passenger shuttles from early 2025

An autonomous shuttle vehicle service is due to start in Belfast in 2025 through a partnership between Oxfordshire based autonomous vehicle software specialist Oxa and Austrian electric vehicle platform developer eVersum.

The two self-driving eVersum mid-sized shuttles will each be capable of carrying up to 40 passengers around the Belfast Harbour’s Innovation District, as well as tourist attractions including the revamped Titanic Belfast exhibition. The service will operate with a human safety operator on board.

The shuttles are part of the £11 million Harlander Project, which is part-funded by Innovate UK and the Centre for Connected & Autonomous vehicles (CCAV).

Oxa CEO Gavin Jackson said, “With eVersum, we can deploy passenger-carrying autonomous shuttle fleets almost anywhere and these flexible forms of transport will become widespread as a way of moving people and goods in a safer, more efficient and faster way.

“The broader rollout of self-driving vehicles is starting and shuttling can lead the way as the fastest evolving commercial arena for Oxa self-driving technology to make its mark internationally.”

Ben Jardine, Chief Product Officer and CEO at eVersum UK said, “We are thrilled to announce our participation in the Harlander Project which is laying the foundations for commercialising autonomous driving passenger transport across the UK and far beyond.”

The shuttles will be driven by Oxa Driver, a full stack of high-performance software components which can be integrated into any vehicle to enable safe and efficient self-driving. The system is highly modular and customisable, and can be retrofitted as a complete solution or integrated into co-developed autonomy solutions in full or at a component level.

The project is part of Belfast Harbour’s strategic plans and investment, underscoring its commitment to enhancing local infrastructure utilising cutting edge technology. Mike Dawson, People and Digital Transformation Director at Belfast Harbour, said, “Belfast Harbour has a long track record of delivering and supporting innovation, so we are delighted to be working with Oxa and eVersum to deliver the UK’s first operationally ready and commercially viable automated shuttle service on publicly accessible roads within the Harbour Estate. This partnership supports our Smart Port ambitions and shows our commitment to the development of Belfast’s Innovation District.”

Project Harlander’s industry partners and supporters are BT, Horiba MIRA, Angoka and Zenzic.