ZF, a company known for its transmissions, used CES to introduce its Next Generation Shuttle, an autonomous vehicle equipped with Level 4 autonomous driving technology. The shuttle uses lidar, radar, camera, and audio sensors to gather information about its surroundings, which is then processed by ZF's Virtual Driver software to enable self-driving in urban environments.
The shuttle also has multiple redundancies for "full functionality" and high reliability. It has a range of between 50 and 100 kWh and can travel up to 80 miles on a single charge at a top speed of 25 mph. ZF plans to increase the top speed to 50 mph in the future.
It designed with front and rear steering and a kneeling function for precise docking and barrier-free boarding and disembarking. The shuttle has a sleek design with LED lights and large windows, as well as sensors and sliding doors. It has a traditional appearance overall.
It can hold up to 22 passengers, with 15 seats available. The interior features a stylish color scheme, a simulated wood floor, and display screens showing information about upcoming stops. It is customizable and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, including an automatic ramp and wheelchair restraints.
