An explanimation about autonomous transport and current research at the Institute of Engineering at the Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Assen.

Commissioned by and in cooperation with Pro-Time Content BV. Thanks again!

Initially created for a lecture by professor Niels van Steenis.

Driving is our favourite way of getting around. But we’re not doing so well. In fact, we can’t go on like this.

Maybe we should consider getting out of the car.

But public transport isn’t the ideal alternative. Delays, waiting in the rain, buses crammed full… or almost empty.

So now what? There has to be a better way. Car factories already have the technology to create driverless cars.

This is known as autonomous transport. It’s the first step towards the solution.

We’re not working on autonomous transport for the sake of it. On the contrary. Technology can solve a lot of our problems – and it could eliminate human error from our roads.

Autonomous public transport also be part of the solution. You wouldn’t even need to own your own car any more. Just send for one and it’ll come to pick you up.

What’s more, autonomous transport lowers costs and saves energy.

Autonomous transport gives everyone the freedom to travel whenever they like.

It’s safe and efficient, and could be the answer to everyone’s parking problems.

But we’re not there yet.

Besides … are we ready for it? Are we prepared to hand ourselves over to technology?

Could we get into a car with no driver, sit down calmly, not fiddle with anything,

and just let ourselves be driven around without worrying?

And could an experienced driver keep their hands off the wheel and their feet off the gas? It wouldn’t be easy.

The technology that’ll make autonomous transport possible isn’t quite there yet either. It still requires a lot of research and development.

That’s happening right now at the Institute of Engineering at the Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Assen, which specialises in sensor technology and ICT. The research is being carried out in the Smart Mobility professorship and is led by professor Niels van Steenis. He’s working with other lecturers and students to explore the technology that could eventually bring us autonomous transport.

And that’s something we really need…

The Smart Mobility professorship is part of the NoorderRuimte Centre at Groningen’s Hanze University of Applied Sciences.

A trial project involving autonomous transport between Glimmen Park & Ride and Groningen Airport Eelde is currently in development.

Commissioned by Pro-Time Content BV.

Script: Jelle Sjoerds / Pro-Time
Storyboard, Illustrator & After Effects animation: Frank Boxman/ Mutant Worm
Stock Pictograms: Shutterstock (Thanks Leremy!) and Vectorstock
Music & Sound Design: Renger Koning / Soundbase
Voice Over: Alan Pyke