Saudi’s Royal Commission for AlUla launches autonomous pod vehicle service

Saudi’s Royal Commission for AlUla launches autonomous pod vehicle service

Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has launched a fully autonomous pod vehicle service in AlUla. The innovative pilot scheme provides passengers with a quick and easy link to AlUla’s Old Town from the south car park. The service is part of the RCU’s comprehensive journey through time (JTT) master plan to develop a range of fully integrated, accessible and environmentally friendly public transport options, a statement said. Serving the local community, the smart pod operates from 4 pm to midnight each day. Electric powered, the pod can carry up to 22 people (8 seated and 14 standing), although capacity will be limited to eight during the pilot scheme. Passengers can ride the pod free of charge along a circular route. Each leg takes just three minutes to cover 1km. As the pilot continues, the pod service will be expanded to other areas of AlUla, including Dadan, Hegra and AlJadidah, later in the year. Passengers seated or standing onboard can enjoy the journey while an informative instructional video is played. Utilising the latest in electric vehicle battery technology, the pod can be fully charged in just 15 minutes, giving enough power to travel 50km. The pilot allows RCU and