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$1.5M driverless car trialled on Queensland roads

Renault ZOE2
Renault ZOE2

The nation’s most advanced $1.5 million automated vehicle went for a test drive in southeast Queensland on August 13.

The purpose-built Renault ZOE2 completed a 6 km journey through roundabouts, cross streets and driveways in the southern suburb of Brisbane called Shailer Park.

Packed with the latest gizmos

The car used advanced sensors, radars, light detection and ranging technology, stereo cameras, computers and software to navigate safely through the suburbs. Results from the test will help the State Government progress its Cooperative and Highly Automated Driving program, which aims to test the state’s automated vehicle-readiness.

ZOE2 was built by French research consortium VEDECOM, which will work with Queensland researchers on the program.

“We are pleased to have supplied ZOE2 to Transport and Main Roads/Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and are looking forward to working together in the fast-developing field of sustainable, shared and autonomous mobility,” VEDECOM CEO Philippe Watteau said in a public statement.

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More jobs to come

State Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey promised the new vehicles would create work opportunities across the Sunshine State.

“We want Queensland industry to be AV-ready too and to create the jobs of the future right here,” he said.

ZOE2 is supported by the Motor Accident Insurance Commission, iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre and QUT’s Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety – Queensland.

To read more about the program click here: qld.gov.au/transport/projects/cavi/cavi-project

Peek under the hood

Specifications include:

  • 80kW electric motor
  • 300 km range in manual driving mode
  • 41 kWh battery
  • from 0 to 95 per cent charge in two hours on a 22kW, three phase charger
  • central display features a 26cm LCD information screen and a 17.5cm LCD perception screen
  • 1500 kg kerb weight
  • 50km/h automated and 130 km/h manual top speed.

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