In Orkney, a self-driving vehicle has been tested on the roads, with potential plans to transport passengers between the island's historic Unesco World Heritage Site monuments in the future.

The initiative, a collaboration between Urban Foresight, Aurrigo, and Hitrans, aims to establish a shuttle service connecting Kirkwall Airport and Kirkwall Harbour, with the project leaders exploring the feasibility of this concept.

Alternatively, the project is also considering linking notable sites such as the Ring Of Brodgar, Maes Howe, and the Standing Stones Of Stenness as an intermediate step.

As part of the project, the public has been invited to experience the Auto-pod vehicle and provide feedback on their ride.

Judith Fawcett, one of the participants, described the ride as "bouncy" and "slow", but acknowledged the potential of the technology, stating that she could envision its future applications.

Fawcett suggested that the vehicle's design could be improved for better aerodynamics, particularly in Orkney's environment, but expressed her overall support for the concept, saying it represents a forward-thinking approach.

Terry Thornhill had a positive experience with the vehicle, characterizing the ride as "easy" and stating that he felt "very safe" throughout.

Thornhill expressed confidence in the technology, predicting that it would become a viable option for transportation between locations, given its potential for development and implementation.

Thornhill also appreciated the opportunity to experience the technology firsthand, saying it allowed him to gain insight into what the future of transportation might hold.

Sarah Wilkins' primary concern was how the vehicle would respond to obstacles, and she was impressed by its immediate reaction.

Wilkins found the ride to be "interesting" and "smooth", highlighting the on-board screen that displayed the route.

The on-board screen showed the route, and Wilkins noted that the ride was smooth, providing an overall positive experience.

Researchers are investigating the viability of using self-driving vehicles on specific routes between historic sites as part of the driverless shuttle project.

Callum White, head of zero emission mobility at Urban Foresight, pointed out that the roads connecting these sites have speed limits of 60mph (96km/h), posing safety concerns for pedestrians, and emphasized the need for alternative transportation options.

White noted that the technology is continually improving and that these vehicles can accommodate up to 11 passengers, with smaller vehicles traveling at approximately 15mph (24km/h) and larger ones limited to 30mph (48km/h).

White acknowledged that Orkney's weather conditions could pose challenges, but expressed confidence in the vehicle's design and capabilities.

He stated that the vehicle's low center of gravity, similar to that of an electric vehicle, would help maintain stability on the road, particularly in windy conditions.

White acknowledged that snow could potentially impact the vehicle's sensors and cameras but emphasized that there are solutions to mitigate these effects.

Despite the potential challenges, White expressed optimism about the project's progress, noting that the next steps would be determined after gathering feedback from the public.

However, he cautioned that several steps remain before the project can proceed to the stage of operating vehicles between the harbour and the airport.

The current focus is on gathering public feedback and using this information to inform the next stages of the project, according to White.

The event is intended to help solidify the project's next steps and provide a clearer direction for future development, White explained.

The study is set to conclude by the end of March, with plans to conduct a full trial either this year or next, pending the outcome of the current research.