Transdev, ZF and e.GO announce partnership for shared autonomous mobility

Transdev, a leading operator and global integrator of mobility solutions is partnering with ZF, a global leader in driveline and chassis technology as well as active and passive safety technology, and e.GO, the manufacturer of electric vehicles. Together, the partners are developing a new shared mobility solution by integrating the autonomous driven e.GO Mover shuttle with the operating system from Transdev.

The e.GO Moove joint venture (which partners e.GO and ZF) is providing the e.GO Mover, a fully electric, connected and automated shuttle. ZF is equipping this people mover with electric drive systems, steering systems and brakes as well as ZF’s ProAI central computer (using artificial intelligence) and sensors which enable automated driving functions. Transdev, through its global ‘Autonomous Transport System’ (ATS by Transdev) will provide its supervision system, connected infrastructure and client application. Through the integrated solution, the partners aim to offer the market’s best quality of service and overall passenger experience while ensuring safety of passengers, which remains the first priority of both partners.

The partners will start working together immediately to provide a fully functional solution by 2020, with priority markets in France and Germany.

“Automation, electrification and networking are critical enablers as the transport of people and goods continually increase in urban centers. With our extensive systems competence, ZF is enabling and shaping next-generation mobility,” says Wolf-Henning Scheider, CEO of ZF Friedrichshafen AG. “Urban mobility choices like ride-hailing are one of the biggest drivers behind the development of autonomous driving.”

Yann Leriche, CEO of Transdev North America and head of Autonomous Transportation Systems, said: “We are convinced that public transport will lead and be the first place where real autonomous services will be developed and available for the general public. This partnership with ZF and e.GO is a great opportunity to enrich our existing mobility solutions with new autonomous vehicles in order to offer the best solutions to our clients.”

Gunther Schuh, CEO of e.GO Mobile said: "With the e.GO Mover, we are developing the world's first electric minibus with full road approval. Together with our partners, we are thus making a contribution to solve the current challenges posed by urban mobility issues. In future, this will be characterised primarily by electric, locally emission-free and highly automated vehicles".

Transdev claims to provide 11 million passenger trips per day, operates in 20 countries and is committed to leading the way in mobility services by using fleets of shared autonomous vehicles that meet the highest standards for safety, quality of service and customer experience. 3.5 million passengers are said to be transported in autonomous shuttles and 1.6 million km traveled across Australia, Canada, France, Netherlands and the United States.