Although you’d expect that its autonomous function would be in the spotlight, there’s another feature which undoubtedly steals the show: its extremely ugly appearance. Credit: Greater Cambridge Partnership Doesn’t it remind you of one of those insects with exoskeletons that are so terrifying to look at? Or maybe of a destructive and angry Transformer that could easily be named “Shuttle-tron”? And the British flag paint job doesn’t really help, does it? Credit: Greater Cambridge Partnership The shuttle’s monstrous look didn’t go unnoticed on Twitter.
— Bazza (@Bazza73617427) May 27, 2021
— GoonerWA (@Zimex15) May 28, 2021
— Dave Lauchlan (@davelauchlan) May 28, 2021
— JJ. (@JackJack_IOT) May 27, 2021
— Dr. (not medical) Peradventure ? (@Peradventur3) May 27, 2021 While the shuttle’s front end is about as visually appealing as a monster bug, its design is also being criticized for how potentially dangerous it is.
— The Secret Primary School Teacher (@SecretTeacher93) May 27, 2021
— LukE (@lukecole78) May 28, 2021 Appearance aside, here are some details about the bus. The all-electric Auto-Shuttles, developed by the engineering firm Aurrigo, can travel at speeds of up to 32 kilometers (20 miles) per hour and have a range of 160 kilometers (200 miles). They can carry 10 passengers on a single journey. The Auto-Shuttles are capable of driving themselves, but safety operators will be behind the wheel to take control at any point, if needed. The self-driving buses will drive alongside regular traffic and their trials will start in June. Credit: Greater Cambridge Partnership Ultimately, this is a promising initiative for the UK to incorporate autonomous tech within its public transportation system, and we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. But one question remains: how are people going to trust an autonomous vehicle when it looks so aggressive and unwelcoming? Do EVs excite your electrons? Do ebikes get your wheels spinning? Do self-driving cars get you all charged up? Then you need the weekly SHIFT newsletter in your life. Click here to sign up.
