Muji and Sensible 4 Unveil Revolutionary Autonomous Bus in Helsinki
Japanese lifestyle retailer Muji has teamed up with Finnish autonomous driving company Sensible 4 to introduce Gacha, a self-driving bus designed for all weather conditions. They revealed the bus in Helsinki, with plans to start public operations next month.
Sensible 4 provided the tech for Gacha, including positioning, navigation, and obstacle detection, ensuring the bus operates smoothly year-round, no matter the weather. On the other hand, Muji took care of the design, focusing on functionality and user experience.
Gacha had its first test drive in front of the Oodi Helsinki Central Library, a key spot in Helsinki. After this preview, the bus will begin serving the public in Espoo in April 2019 and will then expand to Hämeenlinna, Vantaa, and Helsinki later in the year.
Muji and Sensible 4 plan to have the first Gacha buses ready for public roads by 2020, aiming for these shuttles to be part of the cities’ transport systems by 2021. They also hope to partner with other cities worldwide.
One distinct feature of Gacha is its design, which lacks a front or rear, making it stand out from other projects. Inside, the seats follow the bus’s rounded square shape, offering more passenger space. The LED light belt functions as both headlights and an external communication screen. The design was inspired by a toy capsule, symbolizing joy and excitement.
Harri Santamala, CEO of Sensible 4, explained that the project began when the team realized existing robot buses couldn’t handle even light rain, let alone Finnish winter conditions. Most current self-driving cars only work well in perfect weather on well-marked roads. Sensible 4 aimed to change this through rigorous testing in Finland’s harsh winter.
Muji started in Japan in 1980 as a counter-movement against the polarizing consumer market, which either leaned towards foreign luxury brands or poor-quality, cheap goods. Muji aimed to create practical, high-quality products that strike a balance between living and the essentials that support it. Their name reflects this ethos, combining “no brand” (mujirushi) with “value of good items” (ryohin).
Gacha’s specifications include:
– A full set of autonomous driving sensors like lidars, radars, 360° cameras, high precision GPS, and inertia units, with control over 4G LTE and 5G.
– Maximum speed of 40 km/h when autonomous.
– 4WD electric powertrain with a range of over 100 km.
– Fast and wireless charging options.
– Dimensions: 4.5 m length, 2.4 m width, 2.8 m height.
– Capacity of ten seats and six standing spots.
– Easy access for individuals with limited mobility.
– Exterior displays for vehicle-intention communications.
For more details, check out Muji and Sensible 4’s websites.
