HEAT trials autonomous shuttle in regular traffic in Hamburg

The HEAT (Hamburg Electric Autonomous Transportation) project is integrating an autonomous shuttle bus into regular traffic in the German city. The electric bus will be available to riders travelling in HafenCity, a district within the borough of Hamburg-Mitte, from mid-2020. Developed by IAV, the minibus should be able to reach speeds of 50km/h while travelling along the 1.8km route. A digital communications system and sensors have been installed along the route to keep the vehicle in communication
August 13, 2019 Read time: 2 mins

The HEAT (Hamburg Electric Autonomous Transportation) project is integrating an autonomous shuttle bus into regular traffic in the German city.

The electric bus will be available to riders travelling in HafenCity, a district within the borough of Hamburg-Mitte, from mid-2020.

Developed by IAV, the minibus should be able to reach speeds of 50km/h while travelling along the 1.8km route. A digital communications system and sensors have been installed along the route to keep the vehicle in communication with its surroundings and the Hamburger Hochbahn control centre.

Hamburger Hochbahn - a public transport operator - will continually monitor the progress of the bus and will be able to make driving commands depending on the traffic situation.

Initially, the bus will run along a defined route without passengers and accompanied by a vehicle attendant who can take control if necessary.

The bus can carry up to ten people. It has two benches with four seats each and a foldable bench with two more seats.

Other partners involved in the project include 120 Siemens Mobility, the Institute for Climate Protection, Energy and Mobility and the 2206 German Aerospace Center.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • German authorities use CB-radio message to reduce accidents in roadworks
    April 8, 2014
    Citizen Band radio is proving useful to prevent accidents in Germany’s roadworks. In common with other German Länder (federal regions) with large volumes of commercial vehicles using their trunk road networks, Bavaria had been experiencing high levels of road traffic accidents (RTAs) involving heavy trucks in the vicinity of minor motorway maintenance sites. This was despite the extensive visual warning regulations published in the German federal road safety audit (RSA) guidelines for the protection of site
    Read More
  • Bringing AI into ITS: Artificial realities
    May 21, 2025
    AI can have a positive transformative effect on transportation safety and efficiency – but if you want creativity you still need a person, says Huawei
    Read More
  • Sound synthesis makes hybrid and electric vehicles safer
    January 20, 2012
    The growing popularity of hybrids and electric vehicles gives rise to new safety issues in urban environments, as many of the aural cues associated with engine noise can be missing. The solution is to intelligently make vehicles noisier. The rise in popularity of hybrids and Electric Vehicles (EVs) is a result of environmental pressures, shifts in taxation and emerging technologies for batteries and motors. Competition among the car manufacturers means these vehicles need to be cost effective to buy and ope
    Read More
  • The Asia-Pacific poses a multitude of ITS challenges
    May 30, 2014
    The Asia-Pacific ITS Forum and Exhibition in Auckland, New Zealand, provided a focus for the region’s ITS Associations. Mary Bell reports. In late April, ITS New Zealand hosted the 13th Asia-Pacific ITS Forum and Exhibition in Auckland. Around 350 delegates from 24 nations gathered to share and advance ITS applications on both strategic and technical levels and to discuss the differing and various challenges faced in the region.
    Read More

Highlighted Content