Fisker, an electric vehicle design and technology manufacturer, has teamed up with the China-based Hakim Unique Group, a conglomerate possessing global smart city infrastructure expertise, to develop the world’s most appealing autonomous shuttle for smart cities across the globe.

The development comes on the heels of Fisker’s the launch of its EMotion luxury electric sedan, and Fisker scientists filing patents on solid-state battery technology and more electric vehicle technology breakthroughs.

Hakim Unique Group’s conglomerate of more than 160 wholly owned or partly controlled companies has an intense interest and expertise in developing smart city infrastructure – with a comprehensive range of experts across government, universities, operators and enterprises. And with full capabilities in consulting, advanced technical research, multi-mode operation, integration, implementation and operation – the company is positioned to influence the mobility needs, design and development of smart cities everywhere.

Fisker will begin delivering the first Orbit electric autonomous shuttles by the end of 2018.

“Our tireless work at Fisker Inc. has never just been about the design and development of our own compelling electric vehicles – but exploring new frontiers in technology across multiple industries for the advancement of human mobility and progression of society as a whole,” said Henrik Fisker, chairman and CEO of Fisker. “I am very excited about making the impossible, possible with intelligent urban ecosystems – starting with the development of one of the world’s most forward-thinking and uniquely designed electric, autonomous shuttles: The Fisker Orbit.”