From The Catalyst to the Highlands: Urban Foresight Pioneers Future Mobility

Urban Foresight Showcases Innovation From Its Catalyst HQ With Pioneering Driverless Shuttle Trials in Orkney

Urban Foresight, the Newcastle-based innovation consultancy headquartered at The Catalyst, is leading an ambitious project to explore how autonomous transport could transform travel across Orkney’s world‑renowned heritage landscape.

From their base in The Catalyst—home to some of the UK’s most forward‑thinking technology organisations—Urban Foresight has been steering the development of a driverless shuttle service designed to improve connectivity between key destinations on the islands. The initiative is supported by autonomous shuttle specialists Aurrigo and regional transport body Hitrans.

The long‑term vision is to create a seamless autonomous link between Kirkwall Airport and Kirkwall Harbour, offering residents and visitors a new, sustainable way to travel. As an interim step, the team is also assessing whether the technology could safely connect iconic sites within Orkney’s UNESCO World Heritage landscape, including the Ring of Brodgar, Maes Howe and the Standing Stones of Stenness.

Public Testing and Real‑World Insights

As part of the study, Urban Foresight has invited members of the public to experience the Auto‑pod vehicle first‑hand and share their impressions. Early testers described the ride as safe, smooth and surprisingly responsive to obstacles—valuable feedback that will help shape the next phase of development.

Leading Expertise From The Catalyst

Callum White, Urban Foresight’s Head of Zero Emission Mobility, emphasised the importance of the work being done from the company’s base at The Catalyst.

“These historic sites are connected by fast 60mph roads, which can be challenging for pedestrians,” he explained. “Our work is about understanding how autonomous vehicles—technology that’s improving all the time—can offer a safer, more accessible alternative.”

White noted that current autonomous shuttles can carry up to 11 passengers, with smaller models travelling at around 15mph and larger ones reaching 30mph. Despite Orkney’s famously changeable weather, he said the vehicles are engineered to cope with strong winds, and solutions exist to manage the impact of snow on sensors.

Next Steps Toward a Full Trial

Urban Foresight is now analysing public feedback gathered during the demonstration events. This insight will help determine the next stages of the project, with the current study due to conclude at the end of March. A full trial—potentially launching later this year or next—will be considered once the findings are complete.

From their home in The Catalyst, Urban Foresight continues to champion practical innovation that supports cleaner, smarter and more inclusive mobility across the UK. The Orkney autonomous shuttle project is the latest example of how the company is helping regions explore the future of transport in real‑world settings.

Credit of the original article goes to BBC News Scotland. Please follow this link for the original piece: Driverless vehicles could link Orkney’s historic sites – BBC News