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23 the time between the Cab’s conception and its launch was shorter, thanks to experience with the Shuttle development. Since the launch, the company has been strengthening relationships with Shuttle customers and partners while establishing new ones for the Cab. Development challenges Despite that, however, the Cab’s development has been challenging in all aspects because, like the Shuttle, it has been designed, constructed and developed from scratch. Furthermore, many key electromechanical components are different from those used in the Shuttle, and it is these that brought the most surprises during prototype testing. For example, the motor, brakes and steering systems in the prototypes suffered from vibration and improper responses to commands at various times. That required changes to command settings, modifications to hardware and mechanical components, sensor tuning and software updates to correct them. “One of the most important things for Navya is to be the first in the world to really generate revenues from selling autonomous vehicles,” Sapet says. As Shuttle sales have contributed to revenues over the past year, that goal is beginning to look achievable. Sapet acknowledges competition from EasyMile and Local Motors. There are shuttle pods at London’s Heathrow Airport, but these run on tracks. What’s more, there are trials underway in several British cities. While other companies including major automotive manufacturers are developing robotic taxis, none is yet selling, them, he says, although that could change. Waymo, Uber and Nissan, for example, are developing prototype vehicles, but Sapet emphasises that Navya intends to notch up its first Cab sales in “the very short term”. Navya Autonom Cab | Dossier One of the most important things for Navya is to be the first in the world to generate revenues from the sale of driverless vehicles Unmanned Systems Technology | April/May 2018 Navya’s CEO Christophe Sapet with a Cab prototype in Paris (Courtesy of Navya)