Two Navya Autonom vehicles are to undertake a platooning demonstration at New York's JFK, the first such event at an American airport.
The trial follows a call for innovation by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which manages all the airports situated in the two states, including JFK, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International Airport.
It represents the first phase of what may become a larger initiative to use fleets of autonomous shuttles platooned together to better connect passengers to their destinations in an airport environment.
The two Navya shuttles will undergo an initial trial period of four days from October 17, as part of a pilot project that will take place in a specific parking area of the airport.
During that time various configurations will be put to the test, including the platooning of the Navya shuttles.
The autonomous shuttles will be operated by an on-board safety operator at all times and supervised by Navya's control centre in Michigan. The vehicles have eight lidar sensors and the pilot will be conducted in an area of the car park closed to the general public.
“We are delighted to be able to conduct a trial at an airport, which at the same time represents a first step in our collaboration with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Navya's shuttles are adapted to a large number of use cases, and airports represent a good case in point. Not only do our shuttles offer a solution for the transportation of people, but our Tract also offers the same for the transportation of goods. Our remote and platooning fleet management is already established in France, and we will be taking a further step forward by introducing it in the US," said Sophie Desormière, CEO of Navya.
Image: Navya
