Fusion Processing to trial No User In Charge automated driving technology in live London bus depot environments
- Fusion Processing is partnering with Transport for London, Alexander Dennis and Metroline to trial No User In Charge automated driving technology in live London bus depots, aiming to improve safety, efficiency and space utilisation
- The ten-month project will utilise Fusion Processing’s CAVstar system for use in electric buses, culminating in live demonstrations of fully autonomous depot manoeuvres, following off highway testing and remote monitoring protocols
Bristol, 23rd July 2025: Fusion Processing has announced its participation in a groundbreaking project to trial No User In Charge (NUIC) automated driving technology in two live London bus depots. Funded by the CAM Pathfinder Feasibility Studies (FS) Competition, the project is a partnership between Fusion Processing, Transport for London (TfL), bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis and Metroline to assess the feasibility of fully automated bus movements in complex depot environments.
Over the course of ten months, the consortium will evaluate how automated driving systems can support drivers with safe and efficient manoeuvring within depots, from cleaning bays to charging points and overnight parking positions. Fusion Processing will utilise its CAVstar Automated Drive System (ADS) on demonstration buses to see how it can better operate in London’s space-constrained depots and develop a remote operator interface which allows close monitoring of the vehicle and intervention if required.
The project will culminate in two demonstration events to showcase real world automated manoeuvres using both diesel and electric buses.
Funded by the UK Government, the CAM Pathfinder FS competition is delivered by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV), supported by Zenzic and Innovate UK, and will support 14 projects aimed at demonstrating the feasibility of CAM solutions and technology. The competition – which is part of the £150m Pathfinder programme announced in the Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan – aims to investigate early commercial CAM opportunities and support the UK supply chain to grow and fill technology gaps necessary for their deployment.
Jim Hutchinson, CEO of Fusion Processing, said: “We are excited to collaborate with Transport for London and our partners Alexander Dennis and Metroline on this forward-thinking initiative. No User In Charge automation has the potential to deliver immediate improvements in depot safety and efficiency. It also helps lay the foundation for the wider adoption of autonomous vehicle technology. This project is a significant step forward in adapting our ADS platform for real world electric vehicle operations and dense urban environments.”
The project builds on earlier trials by Alexander Dennis and Fusion Processing and takes the next step by adapting the technology for electric buses and integrating it with remote operation capabilities.
Metroline, a leading London bus operator, is providing access to its depots and operational expertise to evaluate the impact of NUIC automation on infrastructure, insurance and safety.
Sean O’Shea, CEO, Metroline said, “As an operator we are committed to embracing new technologies that can further enhance safety at our garages, as well as working closely with our workforce to manage an inclusive integration into our operations. We look forward to participating in this innovative project to discover how this can help to support our workforce and safety culture at our garages.”
The potential benefits are significant. Upgrading or relocating depot infrastructure is often prohibitively expensive and risks reduced operational efficiency. Depot automation offers a smarter solution, improving safety, cutting costs and increasing space efficiency.
The project began on the 1st June 2025 with off highway testing of Fusion Processing’s CAVstar automated drive system, installed alongside redundant steering and braking systems in an Alexander Dennis Enviro100AEV electric bus as well as an Enviro200AV. Once validated, testing will move into a live bus depot environment, first with a safety driver on board, and, when safe to do so, operating without a driver. The SAE Level 4 vehicles will remain under constant supervision from a remote operations centre, with a trained bus driver ready to take control if required. Capable of manoeuvring with an accuracy of 2 to 3 centimetres, the buses rely on Fusion Processing’s advanced sensor suite, including radar, lidar and camera sensors, to maintain a 360-degree view of their surroundings while the CAVstar system determines and follows a safe path through the depot.
ENDS
About Fusion Processing
Fusion Processing was founded in 2012 to design and build advanced systems for the automation of vehicles, and technology to improve vehicle safety. World leaders in automated driving systems, situational awareness and control systems technology, Fusion Processing’s products have clocked up over 2 million kilometres of service.
Innovations include CAVstar® a full level 4 capable automated drive system, and CycleEyeCMS, a mirror replacement system for buses and trucks, designed and developed in house at their Bristol, UK headquarters. With numerous vehicles taking part in technology trials and commercial operations today, Fusion is driving road safety and enabling a new generation of autonomous vehicle systems that are set to transform the automotive industry.
About the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV):
CCAV is a joint policy unit of the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). CCAV leads the way in shaping and delivering the UK government’s policies on connected and autonomous vehicles, ensuring that the UK remains at the cutting edge of this transformative technology.
About Zenzic:
Zenzic was established by government and industry to champion the UK Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) ecosystem. As a collaborative organisation, Zenzic strives to place the UK at the forefront of the global CAM revolution by promoting innovation and enabling UK organisations to make significant contributions to the future of mobility.
About Innovate UK
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is the UK’s innovation agency. Our mission is to help companies to grow through their development and commercialisation of new products, processes and services, supported by an outstanding innovation ecosystem that is agile, inclusive and easy to navigate.
