\nNewcastle\u2019s very own Aussie Racing Cars driver Charlotte Poynting joined Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes for the announcement today which comes at the same time as the release of City of Newcastle\u2019s first mobile app.
\n
![\"Picture1-(1).jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au\/getattachment\/Council\/News\/Latest-News\/Future-of-transport-on-show-as-City-gears-up-for-S\/Picture1-(1).jpg.aspx\" "\\"Picture1-(1).jpg\\"")
\n\u201cThe driverless shuttle moves a bit slower than I will be around the track this weekend, but it\u2019s just as exciting that this futuristic transport technology is being used in Newcastle,\u201d Ms Poynting said.
\n\u201cNewcastle is my home-town and it\u2019s great to see the way the city is changing and embracing technology like never before.\u201d
\nLord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the driverless shuttle will be operating in full driverless mode in Wheeler Place as part of a busy weekend of activities and events planned in Newcastle.
\n\u201cCommunity members and racegoers keen to take a ride can turn up to Wheeler Place from\u00a010am\u00a0both Saturday and Sunday to experience driverless technology,\u201d the Lord Mayor said.
\n\u201cKeolis Downer staff including\u00a0driverless\u00a0shuttle\u00a0specialists and trained chaperones\u00a0will be\u00a0onsite to answer people\u2019s questions around the trial.\u201d
\nThe City has also developed a mobile app to make doing business with the City and finding key points of interest easier in line with its Smart City Strategy.
\nImproving the cultural experience for locals and visitors alike, the app will provide information on current and upcoming events, including late-breaking City-related news,\u00a0feature attractions, accommodation and hospitality offerings
\n\u201cA big part of making the city more attractive to visitors and prospective businesses is making its offerings and attractions more accessible,\u201d Cr Nelmes said.
\n\u201cAnd this app does just that. We are actively packaging information and data to make life easier in the\u00a0City for residents, visitors and workers.
\nWayfinding and a portal to report issues to the City for fixing are also among the new efficiencies offered by the app.
\nIn future, it is expected to offer augmented reality content to enrich experiences, such as guided walking tours, and help improve awareness of Newcastle\u2019s history and heritage buildings.
\nBusiness that would like to be included in the app can upload their relevant information to the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse, the same data source used in the newly refreshed Visit Newcastle website.
\nThe City of Newcastle App is available for download via the Apple store and Google Play.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"