Testsite Kongsberg is well advanced in terms of building new knowledge, testing and developing of new technology for autonomous transport in cities. As a result of the autonomy initiative in Kongsberg, Buskerud county council set up an arena in Brussels during European Mobility Week.
Participants from Testsite Kongsberg were Tinius Olsen Technical Vocational College, Applied Autonomy, ViaTech, University of Southeast Norway, Kongsberg Maritime, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, Kongsberg Municipality, The Cluster SAMS and Buskerud County Municipality.
The focus of the event was the emergence of autonomy and how it affects the transport system, and how it will influence on how we live our lives in cities. The event was titled Human Explorer, and took place in Brussels’ largest cultural center, Bozar. There were events on Tuesday, September 17 and Thursday, September 19. Both days, actors in Testsite Kongsberg were represented with lectures and participation in panel discussions. The events were well attended by autonomy and transport stakeholders.
Buskerud County Mayor Roger Ryberg opened the event. From Testsite Kongsberg there were lectures by Olav Madland Applied Autonomy, Torun Degnes SAMS, Arve Kirkevold The Norwegian Public Roads Administration and Ketil Paulsen Kongsberg Maritime. Of international lectures were among others Antwerp port, Zeebrugge port, STIB-MIVB transport company in Brussels, and the organization Next Nature Network. Many new good connections were made, and we are humble in relation to hear that Kongsberg is in front in Europe in terms of ecosystems of autonomy in cities.
Testsite Kongsberg with The Municipality of Kongsberg is also part in the Interreg Baltic Sea Region project – Sohjoa Baltic, for transitioning into eco-friendly autonomous last mile public transportation.