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The first Russian unmanned bus Volgabus “Matreshka”, which uses 3D-printed parts, is undergoing sea trials at the Moscow Technopark “Kalibr”.
The modular platform allows converting the bus into an open or closed type of cargo vehicle. As standard, Matrёshka is designed to carry eight seated passengers in automatic or semi-automatic mode. Another feature of the modular design is the ability to quickly replace the bus batteries with an all-electric drive. The range on a hollow charge is about 130 km, and the speed is still limited to 30 km / h. The carrying capacity reaches 1300 kg. The vehicle is driven by a 45 kW electric motor.
Responsibility for the creation of the autopilot and other hardware and software is assigned to the companies "Electric Transportation Technologies", "Experimental Workshop" and "Oktava-Electron-Design", which develop computer vision technologies and self-learning neural networks, high-precision inertial systems, precision sound level meters, vibrometers etc. Artificial intelligence monitors the environment around the bus using eight 360-degree cameras and ultrasonic sensors capable of detecting objects up to seven meters away.
REC, one of the leading Russian manufacturers of filaments for 3D printing, also took part in the development of the prototype. Rapid prototyping of individual components was chosen to save time and money, especially since many of the parts still exist in a single copy, and the design of the prototype bus continues to undergo changes.
Starting today, open tests of a promising bus and a special testing ground for unmanned vehicles are underway in the Kalibr Technopark. Of greatest interest is the demonstration of the self-learning process of a minibus with a potentially fully automatic navigation. True, while the testers are cautious and close to large crowds they transfer the bus to manual control from the remote control. As one of the developers, Anton Grigoriev, explains, driving a car is no more difficult than a radio-controlled toy.
In October, the test program is planned to expand and launch test routes on Russky Island, and the introduction of unmanned buses into operation is tentatively scheduled for 2018 in Skolkovo.
