FLEX

The Flex trial is now complete

The Flinders Express (FLEX) shuttle was South Australia's first autonomous vehicle (AV) trial using public roads to offer a first and last mile shuttle service to the Clovelly Park train station within the Tonsley Innovation District. Flinders University, together with 9 industry project supporters have collaborated to deliver this project in 2018.

Phase 2 of the project will continue to build on the lessons learnt from the initial project and develop new and innovative use cases for FLEX. These new use cases will investigate new operational modes for autonomous vehicles, use vehicle to infrastructure (V2I) communications technologies to improve performance and finally develop a living lab that will in the future serve as a test bed for connected and autonomous vehicles.

Project partners for the Phase 2 trial include: South Australia’s Department for Infrastructure and Transport, Flinders University, RAA, iMOVE with project support from Keolis Downer and tech support from SAGE Automation and Nayva.

What is FLEX?

FLEX Driverless Shuttle is a NAVYA ARMA DL4 vehicle and embodies the technology and features needed to successfully trial automated vehicles at the Tonsley Innovation District.

The ARMA DL4 incorporates a range of features that address safety and security issues. It has been trialled in multiple locations around the world by manufacturer NAVYA.

Multiple layers of technology maximises the safety of passengers, pedestrians, other road users and the vehicle.

You can read more about the specific features of FLEX in the FAQs section

Go to FAQs section

Trial the C-V2I testbed

If you would like to use the C-V2I technology at Tonsley, specifically at the Traffic Signals at Alawoona Ave and MAB circuit, please use this link to find out all the details on how to connect.

FLEX AV Documentation Library

Our bus drives itself.

FAQs

Where does FLEX travel and how long does the loop take to complete?

FLEX travels within the Tonsley Innovation District stopping at 6 stops, taking approximately 20min to complete the loop.

Is this trial being funded by ratepayers?

No, the trial is a project of iMOVE CRC with partners being the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, Flinders University and RAA.

Is there a fare to travel on the bus?

The Driverless Bus is a completely free service provided for the benefit of our community. We only ask you complete a customer survey to help us understand and improve your experience.

Who can take a ride on FLEX?

Adults and children over the age of 12 months are encouraged to use the bus service. Wait at any of our 6 bus stops to hop on for your ride. For current route, bus stop locations and loop times click here…

Can young children ride on the bus?

Children under the age of 12 months are not permitted to ride in the vehicle.

From 12 months up to 4 years old, children must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or supervisor and be restrained in a stroller or pram which is secured in a rearward facing position by a parent, guardian or supervisor whom is seated.

Children over the age of 4 years old up to 7 years old must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or supervisor and seated in rearward facing seat with their seatbelt secure.

Is FLEX wheelchair/pram accessible?

Yes there is an in-built access ramp, and the bus is wheelchair accessible. You may also ask for assistance from the safety chaperone.

What safety features does FLEX have?

FLEX is a NAVYA ARMA DL4 vehicle which is fitted with several features that make it safe:

360° LIDAR view
Internal and External cameras
Emergency stop buttons
Chaperone onboard
Intercom and emergency stop button
Audio and visual warning alarms
Intercom
Projectors, indicators, stop lights and retro-reflectors
A fail-safe brake
A fire extinguisher and vehicle safety kit are placed on board
The ability to monitor and manage incidents (obstacle avoidance, emergency stop management and on-board issues)
A Fleet Management system that incorporates cybersecurity and redundancy features

What happens if there is an obstacle in the direction the vehicle is travelling?

FLEX will detect that its path is blocked through its long range LIDARS. The vehicle will slow and stop before the obstacle. Depending on the type of obstacle, FLEX may be able to suggest a path to avoid it, or the attendant may need to take control of the vehicle to manoeuvre around the obstacle before FLEX can restart autonomous driving.

Why is there a driver on board if the bus is driverless?

Our chaperones welcome passengers and explain how the vehicle and technology operates. They are also available to answer your questions about the bus and are responsible for monitoring the safety of the vehicle and passengers. FLEX has two driving modes – automatic and manual. In automatic mode, the vehicle is self-driven whereas in manual mode, the on-board operator can take control the vehicle.

Our chaperones are also abounding with local knowledge and will gladly offer valuable direction as to what to see, play and do in our region.