Singapore (AFP)
Singapore started testing commercial operation of autonomous buses this week.
The Southeast Asian city-state wants to be at the forefront of autonomous vehicle technologies and has invited several foreign companies to test their prototypes in its streets.
As part of the tests launched this week, passengers can book their seat on a bus that serves the Science Park, a high-tech activity zone, through a mobile application, outside of rush hour.
The ticket costs 0.20 Singapore dollar (0.15 euro).
The city has already been testing self-driving buses since 2015 but this is the first time it has carried out a commercial test, according to the Singapore Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
During these tests, a driver remains on board the bus to regain control in the event of a problem.
The vehicles used were developed by Singaporean group ST Engineering, according to local media.
Khor Jing Qian, a 23-year-old student, took one of these buses to an interview with a university on Wednesday.
The 10 minute trip "was easy and convenient".
"It was weird to observe the driver who was not driving, but I had heard about these technologies, I saw them, it is quite innovative and it is the future", he said told AFP.
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