The Ohmio Lift shuttle, developed by Auckland-based Ohmio Automotion, was promoted as a "last-mile transport solution", carrying up to 20 passengers at low speed, using GPS to plot its course.
Said to be ideal for city centres, the shuttle also has on-board technology to get passengers to their destination safely.
Ohmio research and development head Mahmood Hikmet said it was similar to an autonomous tram running on virtual tracks.
"The tracks are plotted on GPS, and if anything gets in the way, it stops."
Industry body representative Simon McManus, of Intelligent Transport Systems New Zealand (ITSNZ), said Ohmio could play a vital role in making public transport trips more connected and accessible, particularly in situations where walking, biking or e-scooting was not an option.
"One key example especially relevant for Queenstown is tourists with luggage, for whom walking to a bus stop is a barrier to public transport uptake, especially if they also have mobility challenges.
"But it also just takes the stress out of the journey, with a novel solution and that helps to change behaviours."
Free rides ran in Queenstown for two days last week, coinciding with a global forum on autonomous vehicles at QT Hotel, hosted by ITSNZ.
