17 February 2025
CURTISS-WRIGHT INVESTS IN A PARTNERSHIP FOR SOUTH AMERICA’S FIRST AUTONOMOUS MINIBUS
Outcome of successful testing of CAN solutions in prototype vehicles results in partnership with Marcopolo
Following prototype testing cycles that began in December 2022, Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial Division can announce successful results with its CAN Actuator and CAN version of its Global Strip Switch Shifter solutions at Marcopolo for the Volare Attack 8, South America’s first autonomous minibus project.
The partnership between Marcopolo and Lume Robotics, an autonomous mobility solutions specialist, also relied on engineering input from Curtiss-Wright to integrate its CAN Actuator – a drive-by wire alternative to typical push/pull cable mechanical shifters for on- and off-highway vehicle automatic transmissions – and Global Strip Switch Shifter, which works in combination with the CAN Actuator and can be customized and programmed to meet application-specific needs and enhance vehicle performance.
The prototype's test cycles began in December 2022. With the success of the initial stage, the first evaluation in a real operating environment took place in March 2024, at the ArcelorMittal Tubarão steel plant, selected as a testing partner-client.
Commenting for Marcopolo, João Paulo Ledur, Director of Strategy and Digital Transformation says: “The first studies for the development of the autonomous minibus reinforce the knowledge and innovation potential of national engineering. In addition, this places us in the select group of countries that are studying the feasibility of technology, such as the United States, Germany and China.”.
Andrew Thornton, VP, Sales & Marketing at Curtiss-Wright Industrial Division says: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with one of South America’s leading manufacturers of autonomous vehicles. OEMs like Marcopolo are continually developing highly-efficient, flexible and safety-critical vehicles that increase productivity and enhance vehicle performance.”
“With more than 20 years of experience working collaboratively with OEMs globally to provide customized solutions that deliver world-class performance for on- and off-highway commercial vehicles, it’s no surprise that OEMs rely on Curtiss-Wright at the early design stages to develop customized solutions that provide safe and efficient vehicle performance.”
Using a Cummins ISF3.8 Euro 5 engine coupled to an automatic transmission, the Volare Attack 8 autonomous minibus is capable of carrying up to 21 passengers on low speed, closed circuits. All hardware and software is embedded directly in the vehicle and all driving functions are performed without internet access, therefore reinforcing the vehicle’s cybersecurity.
