Friedrichshafen: Successful test operation of the self-propelled shuttles!

Friedrichshafen: Successful test operation of the self-propelled shuttles!

A further step into the future of local transport was taken in Friedrichshafen and Mannheim. The practical test for automated shuttle buses, carried out as part of the RABus project, can be viewed as entirely successful. Over 1,600 passengers have taken part in around 430 test drives in the last few months and have been able to experience the advantages of this innovative technology up close. The shuttles covered a total of 2,100 kilometers in automated operation on public roads. What is particularly impressive is that 99 percent of the trips were completed on time and reliably, even in adverse weather conditions, as Südkurier reports.

The RABus project, initiated by a consortium led by the Stuttgart Research Institute for Automotive Engineering and Vehicle Engines, aims to integrate autonomous buses into regular driving operations. Transport Minister Winfried Hermann particularly emphasizes the importance of these initiatives for local public transport, especially in rural regions.

Objectives and progress of the project

With the aim of creating the technical, organizational and social conditions for automated minibuses, the project team recently completed the report on the first phase, which lasted from 2020 to 2023. The desired range of functions is SAE level 4 under real conditions. In this context, numerous measures were taken: from technical development and infrastructural adjustments to legal assessments and promoting user acceptance.

The tests in the two cities offered the opportunity to test different urban structures and to collect valuable insights that are important for further work in the second project phase. The final report will serve as a basis for future developments, as the initiators of Project RABus emphasize.

Passenger acceptance and safety

The feedback from passengers was consistently positive. An impressive 93 percent of test participants felt safe while driving. Before the trip, 40 percent of those surveyed had concerns, but after the experience the group of skeptics was halved. This shows that the innovative technology is not only advanced but also can win people's trust. The presence of the driving companion and the comfort of the vehicles were particularly praised.

The experiences from these tests should help ensure that local public transport becomes more flexible, barrier-free and accessible down to the last corner, especially in peripheral and rural areas. Automated public mobility plays a central role here, not least in addressing the space problem in cities. The Association of German Transport Companies emphasizes that autonomous public transport shuttles can take over large-scale distribution, which could significantly increase the quality of life in urban areas.

The test operation in Mannheim ended at the end of 2024, while the shuttles in Friedrichshafen will continue to operate without passengers until June 30, 2025 in order to fulfill further test purposes. The final project report is expected to be published in early 2026 and will certainly shape the next steps in the development of automated buses.