Auve Tech, a young company founded four years ago by the former students of the Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech for short), has unveiled its self-driving, fuel cell-powered shuttle bus named the Iseauto.
Work on the prototype began in February 2020. The company showcased what it called the world’s first driverless hydrogen car in front of the main building of the University of Tartu. Kersti Kaljulaid, President of Estonia, personally boarded the taxi for a ride and was pleased with its performance. She said the idea of a hydrogen-powered electric car aligned perfectly with the modern Estonian way of thinking.
At 3.5 meters (11.5 ft.) long, 1.5 meters (4.9 ft.) wide and 2.4 meters (7.9 ft.) tall with 2.55 meters (8.4 ft.) between the axles, the shuttle can carry between six and eight passengers. Its curb weight amounts to 1,250 kg (2,755 lbs), and it maxes out at 1,925 kg (4,244 lbs) with the passengers inside. A single rear-mounted electric motor permits a top speed of 25 km/h (15.5 miles per hour), and a 16-kWh traction battery grants it eight hours of operation even with the gas tanks empty.
The Estonian Road Administration (ERA for short) has already approved the car for street tests. Once ready, it will go into production under the name of “Auve Tech Liisu”, Liisu being the name of a daughter of the company founder, Väino Kaldoja.
