Public Transport Premiere for autonomous shuttle "SUE"

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UE Studios has unveiled an electrically powered, autonomous shuttle. "SUE" was created entirely in Germany.

The company UE Studios has presented an autonomous vehicle for public transportation. The "Self-Driving Urban E-Shuttle", SUE, is intended to drive autonomously in the series version. It is currently approved to Level 2 and requires an accompanying driver. However, according to the manufacturer, no modifications to the vehicle are necessary for fully autonomous operation.

The shuttle can travel at speeds of up to 31 mph. According to the manufacturer, the 48-volt architecture works in the low-voltage range. Two battery packs with a capacity of 75.5 kWh are installed in the underbody.

The drive unit of the series model has two motors with a total output of up to 215 horsepower. There will also be a variant with 31 horsepower for lower speeds. The prototype has 60 horsepower.

Sensors And AI for Autonomous Operation

Cameras and lidar sensors record the surroundings, supplemented by GPS, RFID, IMU and wheel sensors. "IMU" stands for "inertial measurement unit". This combines inertial sensors such as acceleration and angular rate sensors. The system is supported by perception algorithms for object recognition using artificial intelligence, object tracking and distance estimation using neural networks, as well as rule-based processes.

Bright Interior With Separate Areas

Up to eight people can ride along; up to six in the version with an accompanying driver. There are four seats. According to the manufacturer, people up to a height of around 6.2 feet can stand upright in the interior. There are two separately usable areas; for individual journeys or more privacy.

The almost 13 feet-long glazing has no A-pillar—combined with the large roof window, this results in a clear all-round view. The system architecture, the "SUE Smart Chassis", is modular and can accommodate other vehicle concepts.

Tests on Public Roads

The vehicle is already on the road, with the corresponding approval and special permit for autonomous test operation. In model regions such as the planned route between Neustadt an der Donau and Bad Gögging (Germany), the bus manufacturer wants to demonstrate how the vehicle can open up direct connections and supplement existing transport networks.

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According to UE Studios, the vehicle is expressly not a vision, but "a concrete offer for local public transport". According to the manufacturer, there are already some initial interested parties. The project team intends to further develop the shuttle accordingly—until it is ready for series production in public transport. The shuttle has been developed and manufactured entirely in Germany.

These Companies Are Involved in SUE

The world premiere on February 11 marked the end of the project, which was funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, after four years. UE Studios was responsible for the development, design and production of the prototype. The vehicle was created in collaboration with several participants from industry, research and the public sector: DB Regio, Elring Klinger, Faissner Petermeier Fahrzeugtechnik, Tüv Nord Mobilität, the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Microsystems and Solid State Technologies EMFT, the Ingolstadt University of Applied Sciences, the Lower Saxony Research Center for Automotive Engineering, the district of Kelheim and the Ingolstadt Economic Development Agency IFG.

About UE Studios

Uedelhoven, based in Gaimersheim and Munich (Germany), is a design and engineering services company with seven locations and 21 studios. Founded in 1991, more than 200 people work for the company today. They develop everything from initial sketches to functional prototypes, from vehicles to prototypes for the aviation industry. According to the company, it has produced more than 150 show cars, fully functional vehicle prototypes.

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