Oxa powers Northern Ireland’s first self-driving shuttle
The launch of the Harlander, Northern Ireland’s first autonomous passenger vehicle, shows how self-driving software can strengthen public transport systems and has already attracted national attention with the BBC highlighting Oxa’s ‘super-human’ technology.
The Harlander service features electric eVersum shuttles that travel a one-mile loop in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter. Carrying up to eight passengers, the shuttles connect the railway station with a growing innovation district and are a vital component in the area’s sustainable transport plan. By operating in a controlled environment like the Titanic Quarter, we are safely demonstrating our technology and can extend the reach of existing transport infrastructure, reducing dependence on cars. Current visitor numbers of over 3.6 million people a year are predicted to rise to more than 5.6 million by 2035. In future, new networks built on self-driving technology will offer a safer, more efficient, and more flexible alternative to today's options.
The Harlander shuttle is powered by Oxa Driver, self-driving software which combines sensor data from cameras, lidar and radar to get a comprehensive view of the world around it. The software uses AI to accurately sense and predict changes to the vehicle's environment while learning from previous journeys, which is key to improving the capability of the technology over time. A human safety operator will be on board each shuttle to supervise operations.
This project is the first joint commercial rollout of Oxa software and eVersum’s eShuttle vehicles. Combining Oxa’s software with eVersum’s automotive-grade hardware offers a safe, secure, and efficient way of deploying new shuttle fleets at scale. This demonstrates the potential for our technology to be applied in other private sites, such as airports and industrial sites.
The Harlander project is a collaborative effort with industry partners and supporters including BT, Horiba MIRA, Angoka and Zenzic and government backing from Innovate UK and the Centre for Connected & Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV). This initiative aligns with the government’s Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, which highlights the UK’s ambition to become a global leader in connected and automated mobility (CAM). This industry promises safer, cleaner, and more efficient transport systems for all.
Our collaboration with Belfast Harbour also presents an opportunity to expand autonomous technology beyond shared passenger transportation and into logistics use cases, including the movement of goods within the port's container terminals and industrial sites.
