Skip to main content

First Swiss AV takes to the roads

Switzerland is testing its first autonomous vehicle (AV) on the streets of Zurich. Developed in cooperation with Swiss telecommunications group Swisscom, the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (UVEK) and Germany’s Autonomos Labs, the heavily modified VW Passat has been equipped with sensors, computers and software. The computer system drives, steers and brakes the vehicle autonomously and detects other vehicles and pedestrians by means of laser scanners, radar and vid
May 15, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
Switzerland is testing its first autonomous vehicle (AV) on the streets of Zurich. Developed in cooperation with Swiss telecommunications group Swisscom, the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (UVEK) and Germany’s Autonomos Labs, the heavily modified VW Passat has been equipped with sensors, computers and software.

The computer system drives, steers and brakes the vehicle autonomously and detects other vehicles and pedestrians by means of laser scanners, radar and video cameras. Special software analyses the data, recognises driving situations and issues driving commands to the central operating system.

Between 4 and 14 May 2015, the car will be taken on test drives on UVEK-specified routes through Zurich. Specially trained drivers will behind the wheel to ensure safety.

The AV project will enable Swisscom to gather empirical data and gain insights for future mobility systems and how they interact with communication networks, other traffic and the environment.

As a leading ICT provider, Swisscom is perfectly positioned to network cars, objects and people. Christian Petit, head of Swisscom Enterprise Customers, says: “Swisscom is not turning into a car manufacturer. But future innovations in the automotive industry will centre on networking with the environment. For this reason, the driverless car is a prime example of digitisation and therefore of great interest to us.”

Related Content

  • October 13, 2021
    5G powers Peachtree connected shuttles 
    Beep AVs equipped with 5G gateway to provide telematics data and talk to infrastructure
  • April 29, 2022
    Smart car, dumb road
    We need an intelligent infrastructure that communicates, says Markus Schlitt of Yunex Traffic
  • March 25, 2022
    Autobahn shows it is on the ball
    Germany has just created a central organisation to oversee the country’s 13,200km of motorways. David Arminas finds out about Autobahn’s role in cooperative ITS - and its part in the Euro 2024 football tournament
  • June 26, 2018
    Managed lane operators: meet the CAV pioneers
    There is some controversy over the testing of connected and autonomous vehicles – but Robert Deans of Transurban North America explains how managed lanes could be vital in the development of CAVs, benefiting everyone. Managed lane operators have the opportunity to establish themselves as leaders in the testing and roll-out of connected and automated vehicles (CAVs), assisting and accelerating the transition of CAVs onto road networks to deliver economic and safety benefits. Managed lane facilities