Autonomous vehicle software developer Oxa and electric commercial vehicle provider eVersum are partnering to develop shared autonomous passenger vehicles. These vehicles will be offered to public transport operators in Europe and the US, with the first being autonomous city ‘eShuttles’.

eVersum will produce autonomous-ready electric base vehicles, featuring Oxa Driver, Oxa’s autonomy software, along with sensors and computing technology integrated directly on the production line.

eVersum’s eShuttle carries up to 20 seated passengers and has capacity for a maximum of 50 people (with standing), and is a low-noise, zero-emission electric vehicle designed for on-road and public transport applications. Oxa and eVersum are working towards an initial deployment of the eShuttles featuring Oxa Driver software in the UK, set to be announced later this year and marking a milestone achievement for the country’s automotive economy.

“We are thrilled to be working with eVersum to deploy safe, secure and efficient autonomy where it is needed most,” said Gavin Jackson, CEO at Oxa. “At Oxa, we believe next-generation shuttling can deliver vital benefits to cities and industries, and this partnership represents a momentous step forward for the future of self-driving technology. Together we will transform the autonomous vehicle market with cost-effective, low-carbon turnkey solutions”.

“As a leading specialist and OEM dedicated to electric commercial vehicles, eVersum has invested years in rigorous research and development, and welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with AD-pioneer, Oxa, as we jointly embark on this exciting journey into the future of mobility”, said Holger Postl, CEO of eVersum. “We’re delighted to have found a partner who aligns with our visions and priorities that include the real-life deployment of AD-shuttles in public transport operations.”