The first-ever autonomous bus in Israel has started its journey at the Sheba Tel HaShomer medical center, in Ramat Gan city, the largest hospital in the Middle East. The bus is based on the Imagry mapless autonomous driving solution and the pilot is operated by Nateev Express (part of AFIFI GROUP).
This pilot will showcase the efficacy of the Imagry solution, which is location-independent, hardware-agnostic, and self-sufficient.
Autonomous driving (AD) in public transportation is projected to decrease the number of traffic accidents, reduce the use of fossil fuels, and improve social equality. Furthermore, AD will encourage more travelers to use public transportation.
The autonomous shuttle has been designed to provide safe and efficient transportation for patients and staff within the hospital premises. It is equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and cameras that enable it to navigate through the hospital's complex environment and avoid obstacles. The shuttle is also designed to be wheelchair accessible, with ramps and secure wheelchair tie-downs for easy and safe entry and exit.
The Sheba Hospital, one of the largest and most advanced hospitals in the Middle East, is the ideal location for the launch of the autonomous shuttle. The hospital has a large campus with many buildings and facilities, making transportation within the premises a challenge. The autonomous shuttle will provide a much-needed solution to this problem, while also reducing traffic and parking congestion.
The launch of the autonomous shuttle in the Sheba Hospital is just the beginning for AFIFI GROUP. The company has plans to expand its autonomous vehicle offerings to other regions in Israel.