The robuCAB vehicle from France is a ‘4-seats automated people mover’ that was constructed from a 4-wheel drive electric chassis and complemented with an on-board computer. This vehicle does not need any driver as it follows the kerb while carrying a number of embedded systems. A camera will always keep an eye on the path edge, while another device tracks the angle and direction of the kerb whilst the rest take control of gearing and acceleration. Each robuCAB will move over a pre-defined circuit that holds a series of sensors below the ground, so they can’t move about independently. How would you feel stepping into a driverless taxi? I hope that such vehicles will come with safety cameras within, as you never know when you might get mugged while inside since there isn’t any human element to act as a deterrent.

Tags: camera, gear, cameras, PDA