AUSTRALIA'S most advanced automated vehicle has made its on-road debut on the streets of Logan.
The purpose-built Renault ZOE2 navigated six kilometres of roundabouts, cross streets and driveways in Shailer Park on Tuesday.
Built by French research consortium VEDECOM, the $1.5 million vehicle had previously undergone off-road testing and analysis at the Mount Cotton Driver Training Centre.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey said Queensland wanted to lead the way on automated vehicle technology.
"Not only do we want Queensland roads to be AV-ready, we want Queensland industry to be AV-ready too and to create the jobs of the future right here," Mr Bailey said.
The specially-built car is equipped with technology including cameras, sensors and light detection and ranging, which uses the pulse from a laser to calculate distance.
It is a level four automated vehicle, meaning it is capable of self-driving in defined areas with the driver still able to take back manual control.
The Queensland public will get its first taste of ZOE2 at QUT's Robotronica event at Gardens Point on Sunday.
Head of VEDECOM Philippe Watteau said collaborating on the project with Queensland scientists had reinforced strategic co-operation between France and Australia.
"We are pleased to have supplied ZOE2... and are looking forward to working together in the fast-developing field of sustainable, shared and autonomous mobility," Mr Watteau said.
"Our cooperation with Queensland researchers underpins our common goal of identifying innovative mobility solutions."
ZOE2 is supported by the Motor Accident Insurance Commission, iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre and QUT's Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety - Queensland.
CARRS-Q director Professor Andry Rakotonirainy said the advanced vehicle would help researchers assess the safety of automated cars.
"This vehicle will facilitate multidisciplinary investigations into how road users accept, adopt and cooperate with new automated systems," he said.
"This highly automated vehicle will assist in identifying and addressing policy, institutional, societal and regulatory challenges to ensure their safe integration into our transport system."
It will also help the Transport Department to ensure road infrastructure, legislation, regulation and licencing arrangements are ready for these vehicles.
