Live traffic testing for Germany’s Level 4 autonomous shuttles

Six AVs will operate in city of Darmstadt in project involving Deutsche Bahn & Mobileye
By David Arminas July 15, 2024 Read time: 2 mins
The decision on all driving manoeuvres lies with the vehicle, although for safety there is always a driver on board during test operations (image: Deutsche Bahn AG | RMV | Arne Landwehr)

The first vehicle to operate at Level 4 automation in Germany is driving in normal road traffic in the city of Darmstadt.

Level 4 means that a vehicle moves autonomously - effectively driverless - within a defined area. For the first time, the decision on all driving manoeuvres lies with the vehicle, although for safety there is always a driver on board during test operations.

Under a project named Kira – a German acronym for artificial intelligence-based regular operation of autonomous on-demand transport - a total of six autonomous shuttles will eventually operate in Darmstadt and the district of Offenbach.

The driving manoeuvres of the vehicles are monitored by technical supervisory personnel. But passengers are not yet riding in the Kira shuttle. Interested citizens can later apply as test users and then book the shuttles via an app.

The project has required a Level 4 test permit from the Federal Motor Transport Authority. Kira involves a company from national rail and transport operator Deutsche Bahn, regional transport agency Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund, Darmstadt’s transit authority HEAG Mobilo and the Offenbach regional transportation agency Kreisverkehrsgesellschaft Offenbach (KvgOF).

The first trips of the autonomous Kira shuttles are to test the built-in self-driving system from Mobileye. The map material of the operating area is checked to ensure all data points along the road are correct.

Shuttles that can be ordered as needed - on-demand - can provide improved mobility, especially in rural areas. With drivers, on-demand shuttles are already on the road in 10 areas at RMV. Autonomously and thus without staff on board, such services can also be used nationwide in the future. 

The operator of the autonomous vehicles is the Deutsche Bahn company DB Regio Bus Mitte, while the Deutsche Bahn company Ioki provides the software for booking and route planning. Also, Ioki integrates the software components of the various technology partners. As a further partner, Mobileye is providing the software and hardware for the autonomous driving system.

The test and implementation phase will run until the end of this year but an extension is planned. Kira is supported with around €2.2 million from the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport, with additional support from the German state of Hesse.

Detection, Monitoring & Machine Vision Classification & Data Collection GIS/ Mapping & Location Based Systems Networking & Communication Systems Urban Traffic Control

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • VW presents electric mobility research
    April 23, 2012
    Volkswagen, in cooperation with six project partners and the German Ministry of the Environment, is presenting the current status of the ‘Fleet study in electric mobility’ that was initiated in July 2008. The primary goal of the project, which runs until June 2012, is to consistently utilise renewable energy sources for electrically powered vehicles. Within the framework of the fleet study, Volkswagen is using a total of 20 of the latest generation Golf Variant TwinDrive cars as research vehicles.
    Read More
  • US Congress debates autonomous vehicles
    November 20, 2013
    Emerging technologies have the potential to significantly reduce vehicle crashes and associated fatalities, according to Kirk Steudle, director of the Michigan Department of Transportation, testifying at the US House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Subcommittee on Highways and Transit. Speaking on behalf of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Steudle said, "Nothing is more exciting than the potential safety benefits of this emerging technology," said Steud
    Read More
  • 2getthere expands driverless system to run on Rotterdam’s public roads
    January 2, 2018
    2getthere will expand its Parkshuttle in Rotterdam region by providing six shuttle vehicles to run autonomously on public roads without a safety steward or driver on board as part of an agreement with the Capelle aan den Ijssel municipality. The project aims to increase regional capacity and will transport 500 passengers per hour in each direction with the first phase operational by next year.
    Read More
  • 3M invests US$1.3 million in tolling technology testing
    April 8, 2014
    3M is investing $1.3million to expand its research center to develop and test tolling and public safety products, and customers can use it too. When 3M opened its Transportation Safety Research Center (TSRC) in the 1970s it was as an extension of its research facilities. More than a showcase for innovation, the center was—and continues to be—a dynamic outdoor laboratory where new traffic materials, systems, vehicle safety and public safety products are tested in real-world conditions. Now, with 3M expanding
    Read More

Highlighted Content