Autonomous vehicle technology company Oxa has announced the launch of its autonomous Ford E-Transit van and minibus, which are powered by Oxa Driver software and now operational in the UK and US.

The Ford E-Transit, which the company claims to be “Europe's best-selling large electric van”, has been powered by Oxa software and serves as “cost-effective platform” for goods delivery and passenger services globally.

This development marks a “leap forward” in the commercialisation of autonomous driving technology.

Oxa CEO Gavin Jackson said: "Making the Ford E-Transit available for autonomous operations is the next step on our journey to deliver safe, scalable, and sustainable autonomous solutions.

"This vehicle represents an important milestone in our mission to reshape the future of passenger transportation and logistics."

The Ford E-Transits are said to be the first mass-produced vehicles to be modified using Oxa's Reference Autonomy Designs (RADs).

These design blueprints facilitate the quick integration of autonomous features into host vehicles, incorporating ‘Driven by Oxa’ software, sensors, computing systems, and drive-by-wire technology.

Reference Autonomy Designs are defined, prototyped, and validated by Oxa before being utilised by vehicle OEMs and approved upfitters for mass production of autonomous vehicles, supported by flexible distribution and licensing models. This approach is crucial for scaling the commercial deployment of autonomous vehicles, stated the company.

The autonomous Ford E-Transit by Oxa is designed to fit seamlessly into existing fleets, offering versatility for various applications.

The vehicle is available in configurations suitable for both logistics and passenger transport, with up to ten seats in the minibus version. The compact design of the hardware ensures that space is not compromised.

Equipped with industry-standard sensors, including cameras, lidar, and radar, the vehicle offers full 360-degree perception and long-range detection, enabling autonomous operation at speeds of up to 35mph in mixed traffic conditions. The preservation of manual controls allows for flexible use in both autonomous and manual driving modes.

Oxa stated that it ensures the safe and efficient deployment of the Ford E-Transits through comprehensive testing and validation, combining controlled environments, real-world driving, and advanced virtual testing using its Spatial AI technology.

 Generative AI, digital twins, and simulation are leveraged for accelerated training and assessment, tailored to customer requirements, added the company.