Advanced Transport Systems Ltd (ATS)

Gleaming silver pods that take you from A to B without the help of a driver, may seem like the stuff of science fiction, but thanks to a University of Bristol spin out company, this is soon to become a reality. 
 
Advanced Transport Systems Ltd (ATS) has developed a revolutionary form of driverless travel - the ULTra (Urban Light Transport) which has already been trialled at Heathrow Airport by BAA, the world's leading airport company. Construction in the airport's new Terminal 5 is currently underway, where the ULTra system is to be based. 
 
ULTra is an innovative form of Personal Rapid Transit (PRT). Conventional forms of public transit require passengers to collect in groups until a large vehicle, scheduled to travel on predetermined routes, arrives. In contrast, ULTra offers personal transport with no waiting, and takes passengers non-stop to their chosen destination. This is a transport system which is as convenient as the car, but with minimal environmental impact. 
 
The award-winning ULTra is electrically powered and will provide low cost and sustainable transport, using 70% less energy per passenger-kilometre than a car and with zero emissions in town. In addition, 95% of ULTra passengers will have a waiting time of less than 1 minute, even at peak times. 
 
Professor Martin Lowson, Chief Executive of ATS said: "ATS have a world lead in this new industry. We are proud to be able to demonstrate the practical value of spinout opportunities from the University."