EMooVit, Rapid Bus sign MOU to collaborate on autonomous electric bus trial
KUALA LUMPUR: eMooVit Technology Sdn Bhd (eMooVit), a majority-owned subsidiary of Yinson Green Technologies (M) Sdn Bhd (YGT), has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd (Rapid Bus), a whollyowned subsidiary of Prasarana Malaysia Bhd (Prasarana), to collaborate on a pilot programme for autonomous electric bus operations at Rapid BRT Sunway.
YGT is operated by the green technologies division of Yinson Holdings Berhad (Yinson).
The collaboration leverages on eMooVit's position as a specialised developer in autonomous vehicle and robotic technology as well as Rapid Bus's position as the leading bus operator of the Rapid KL public transport network in the Klang Valley.
Under the agreement, eMooVit aims to provide an autonomous electric bus and chargEV charging system, technical support, vehicle maintenance and training sessions for Rapid Bus's employees; while Rapid Bus shall provide the test track and workshop area as well as operational support.
eMooVit chief executive officer Dr Hairi Zamzuri said, “We hope to introduce autonomous electric vehicles (AEVs) as they carry several advantages, including the potential to cut down on CO2 emissions, reduce traffic congestion, lower transportation and energy costs.
“In addition, according to a recent statement released by
General Insurance Association of Malaysia, more than 80 per cent of road accidents in Malaysia are caused by negligence.
"This is of great concern and our aspiration is for AEVs to limit human errors,” added Dr Hairi.
Yinson senior vice president of electromobility Ruslin Tamsir commented, “The government launched the National Automotive Policy 2020, with the aim of enhancing the automotive industry, through research and development especially in the area of next-generation vehicles.
Through our subsidiary eMooVit, Yinson is excited to work with one of Malaysia's leading bus operators, Rapid, in introducing next-generation vehicles like the autonomous electric bus."
“This is the first autonomous electronic bus project in Malaysia, and Rapid Bus will be the first public transport operator to embark on a pilot project using this technology.
"The implementation of this pilot project will focus on evaluating the impact of autonomous electric buses on the urban transport system in terms of technology, social and economy,” added Muhammad Yazurin Sallij, Chief Executive Officer, Rapid Bus.
YGT invests in novel green businesses, R&D and strategic partnerships to develop integrated smart green assets and infrastructure, ultimately aiming to create a proprietary digital marketplace that provides affordable and accessible tech-based low carbon products and services to help businesses and communities achieve their own net zero ambitions.
YGT's strategic investments currently include advanced hydrofoil system for electric vessels, e-bike and swappable batteries, autonomous and robotic technology, autonomous systems for electric vehicles, marine energy storage solutions, electric vehicle charging solutions and corporate leasing programme of its fleet of EVs.