Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), Ericsson and Malaysian autonomous vehicle solutions developer eMooVit Technology staged a demo showcasing 5G use cases for an autonomous electric bus that’s being tested for a planned trial later this year.
The demo, held at eMooVit’s headquarters in Cyberjaya, was part of a proof-of-concept trial of 5G use cases such as in-vehicle public Wi-Fi backhauled by 5G, in-vehicle CCTV, real-time telemetry data monitoring and journey log collection.
Other use cases slated for trials in the near future include remote driving in case of emergency situations and integrating the bus with smart city infrastructure.
DNB’s chief strategy officer Ahmad Zaki Zahid said that once these use cases are commercialised, they will make autonomous bus rides safer and more reliable for passengers, as well as help improve cost efficiency for the bus operator.
“[5G] enables real-time, reliable connectivity for data processing, mapping, and integration with other systems, which play vital roles in shaping the future of transportation,” he said at the demo event. “5G also facilitates improved communication between vehicles and with infrastructure such as traffic signals, road signs, and centralized traffic management systems. Through 5G-enabled CCTV and real-time systems monitoring by the command centre, bus passengers can enjoy peace of mind, knowing that their safety is enhanced.”
Malaysia’s Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook, who attended the demo, said 5G applications would boost implementation of autonomous public transportation in Malaysia, which the government hopes to commercialise once the necessary guidelines and legal frameworks are in place.
“The benefits of autonomous transport range from improved traffic flow to route optimisation, which leads to smoother traffic patterns, more efficient use of road infrastructure and reduced human error,” Loke said. “There is also the potential to be more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, especially if electric vehicles are used as they reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution in urban areas.”
According to the Bernama news agency, eMooVit CEO Dr Hairi Zamzuri said the autonomous bus pilot project will undergo a three-month test programme in Putrajaya beginning October 2024. Passengers will be able to ride the bus for free during the test period.
The eMooVit project is part of a broader MoU signed by DNB and Ericsson in May 2024 to develop 5G use cases for various enterprise sectors.