Keolis announced today the launch of a 100% electric autonomous shuttle trial in Han-sur-Lesse, in the south of Belgium. The NAVYA autonomous electric shuttle will operate in normal traffic conditions on a 500 metre route in the Cave Domaine of Han-sur-Lesse, a major Belgian tourist attraction (350,000 visitors per year). The trial will soon be extended to cover a 1.5 km route.
 
This trial is led in partnership with NAVYA, specialists in the design and construction of autonomous and electric vehicles, as well as the Belgian ministry of mobility, the Vias institute (the Belgium Road Safety Institute), and the Domaine of Han.
 
The Autonomous Electric Shuttle is an ideal mobility solution for educational campuses, amusement parks and hospitals. The shuttle is best used to provide a last mile connection solution to complete an existing public transport network. In Han the shuttle will carry visitors from the parking area to the Caves. 
 
The NAVYA autonomous electric shuttle can accommodate up to 15 passengers, including those with reduced mobility, with a dedicated area for wheelchairs. It features Lidar sensors, GPS RTK, odometric system, V2X connection and cameras, which enables the vehicle to detect other vehicles and pedestrians and circulate on open roads.  The trial aims to study the reactions of passengers and road users to improve the technology and ensure that it fits seamlessly and safely into the daily life of the city, before being put into operation at other tourist locations.

In recent years, communities have shown a growing interest in autonomous mobility solutions which has allowed pilot projects to proliferate and prove the viability of this technology in (re)designing everyday mobility, both today and tomorrow. A pioneer in shared autonomous mobility, Keolis is already conducting other trials in partnership with NAVYA. Long term trials are currently being led in France (La Défense, Roissypôle with ADP, Lyon), as well as in the US (Las Vegas), Canada (Candiac), Australia (Melbourne and Adelaide) and now in Belgium.
 
Since the launch of the service in Lyon, France in September 2016 - the first autonomous shuttle transport service in the world – Keolis has carried out more than 30 trials and demonstrations, driven 40,000 kilometres and transported 110,000 passengers in autonomous shuttles, both in France and abroad*.
 
* France: Paris (La Défense and Roissypôle with ADP), Lyon (Confluence), Strasbourg; Denmark (Aalborg); Spain (Barcelona); UK (London Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park); Canada (Candiac, Montreal); US (Las Vegas, Atlanta); and Australia (Melbourne – la Trobe university, Adelaide – Flinders university).