The Sunderland Advanced Mobility Shuttle (SAMS) project has announced Oxa as the new autonomy provider for its autonomous transport initiative, which is expected to be running during the first quarter of 2025. Oxa will deliver an autonomous Ford E-Transit to the project, which aims to illustrate how autonomous passenger shuttles can better connect people to key destinations within the city while reducing environmental impact.
Councillor Michael Mordey, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “The SAMS project marks a significant milestone in Sunderland’s smart city journey, and we are thrilled to welcome Oxa on board. This initiative is not just about testing new technology; it’s about improving the quality of life for our residents by offering efficient, sustainable transport options. Oxa’s expertise in autonomous vehicle technology is integral to our shared vision of creating a forward-thinking, sustainable transport system for the people of Sunderland.”
Oxa CEO Gavin Jackson added: “We’re proud to be part of the movement to radically modernise public transport in the UK. We’re taking an innovative approach to bringing autonomy to customers and communities today, and are excited to be getting started in Sunderland. The project will demonstrate the potential of autonomous vehicles to create safe, efficient and sustainable transport solutions. We look forward to working closely with the council and partners to make this vision a reality.”
The SAMS project is led by Sunderland City Council and a consortium of six other public and private partners, and backed by the Centre for Connected & Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) and Innovate UK, supported by Zenzic.
