Malaysian government continues to be ‘sleeping beauty’ in electric and driverless vehicles

Cities around the world jump on the self-driving car bandwagon
Posted on May 31, 2016 by Dr. Alexander Hars
Autonomous vehicles will have a major impact on urban transportation. Mayors, transportation companies and urban planners are increasingly taking notice. The number of cities which recognize the benefits of self-driving cars and buses increases rapidly. Below is a list of some cities around the world which have launched or are working to launch activities focused on self-driving cars and buses: … for more, go to http://www.driverless-future.com/?cat=29

Malaysian government continues to be ‘sleeping beauty’ in electric and driverless vehicles

These two news headlines captured Pulse Of Bukit Lanjan’s attention:

Ø Singapore to deploy driverless buses from 2022; and

Ø UK to have driverless cars by 2021: govt


“Just how long more does the Malaysian government wants to sleep on transport technology?” Gerakan Deputy Speaker Syed Abdul Razak Alsagoff asked.

He said both Singapore and the UK had set deadlines to launch electric vehicles (EVs) and driverless vehicles in five and four years respectively.

And, Syed Razak said, “we have not even approved the use of e-bikes and EVs, let alone lay the infrastructure to charge EVs.

He said it was perplexing that the federal government, namely the Transport Ministry, had remained mum on the global transport evolution and revolution in technology.

“The federal government continues to pretend as if nothing is happening globally. What a shame and a disservice to the rakyat dan negara (people and country),” he added.


After Driverless Cars, Singapore To Test Self-Driving Buses
All aboard! NTU and the Land Transport Authority of Singapore are collaborating on transport research projects into autonomous vehicles and rail network enhancement.
AsianScientist (Oct. 27, 2016) – The Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Singapore has signed agreements with the Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) to collaborate on a series of transport research projects into autonomous vehicles and rail network enhancement. LTA and NTU intend to work towards a future where city landscapes are not dominated by roads, parking lots and private cars, but where new forms of shared mobility complementing public transport systems will enable commuters to get around comfortably and conveniently. Under the agreements, the partners will conduct joint research to enhance existing rail networks through real-time condition monitoring and also conduct trials for a fully-autonomous 12-meter bus, the first of its kind in Singapore. Read more from Asian Scientist Magazine at: https://www.asianscientist.com/2016/10/tech/singapore-test-self-driving-buses-road/

Syed Razak, who is Gerakan’s nominee to contest N.37 Bukit Lanjan in the coming 14th General Election (GE14), urged the Transport Ministry to take the lead immediately in preparing for Malaysians and Malaysia to embrace new motoring technology.

“We are already left far, far behind. Why are Malaysians being denied access to new motoring technology?” he asked.

Here are the two news reports posted by The Star Online:

"Singapore to deploy driverless buses from 2022

ASEAN/EAST ASIA
Wednesday, 22 Nov 2017
8:54 PM MYT



Singapore has so far avoided the massive traffic jams choking other Asian cities like Manila and Jakarta. - AFP/file 

Singapore (AFP) - Driverless buses will appear on some roads in Singapore from 2022 as part of plans to improve mobility in the land-scarce city-state, its transport minister said Wednesday.

Singapore has so far avoided the massive traffic jams that choke other Asian cities like Manila and Jakarta by imposing road tolls, spending massively on public transport and becoming one of the world's most expensive places to own a car.

It now plans to embrace self-driving technology to further reduce reliance on cars and improve how people get around.

Driverless buses will be deployed during off-peak traffic hours in three new suburban towns designed to accommodate the vehicles in a pilot project, said Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan.

"More importantly, we can gain further insights into how we can develop new towns or refurbish existing ones for the safe mass deployment of autonomous vehicles."

Khaw said the technology will help Singapore "alleviate its tight land and manpower limits that currently constrain our land transport system" and that he hopes the city-state can become a key global player in the sector.

Singapore is asking for input from industry and research institutions on what is needed to implement the project, with industry proposals to be invited after May 2018, he said.

Around 10 local and foreign companies are currently in Singapore to test their driverless vehicle technology, Khaw said.

Some industry players believe autonomous vehicles can ply highways and busy city streets in Singapore "without any form of human intervention" in 10 years' time, he added.

UK to have driverless cars by 2021: govt

TECH NEWS
Tuesday, 21 Nov 2017
9:30 AM MYT



Hammond will announce regulation changes to allow Britain's driverless car industry, which the government estimates will be worth £28bil (RM153.87bil) by 2035, to get cars on the road within as little as three years, according to extracts of the budget released by his office. — AFP

British finance minister Philip Hammond is to announce £75mil (RM412.42mil) funding for Artificial Intelligence and plans to put driverless cars on UK roads by 2021, in his budget speech. 

Hammond will announce regulation changes to allow Britain's driverless car industry, which the government estimates will be worth £28bil (RM153.87bil) by 2035, to get cars on the road within as little as three years, according to extracts of the budget released by his office on Sunday. 

The minister, who is under a pressure to deliver an eye-catching budget following Brexit spats with cabinet colleagues, will also announce a £400mil (RM2.19bil) fund for companies hoping to roll out electric-car charge points across the country. 

People hoping to buy a battery-electric vehicle will also be able to access funding as Britain attempts to move towards zero-emission transport. 

However, the Conservative minister is likely to be judged more on his social spending policies, particularly on his housing policy in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster that killed 71 people. — AFP
"

N.37 LET BUKIT LANJAN SOAR WITH SYED ABDUL RAZAK ALSAGOFF

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