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

  • I-80 Smart Corridor sets the ITS standard for California's Bay Area
    March 23, 2015
    Colin Sowman looks at California’s ‘smartest’ road which will open this spring to counter congestion and accidents on one of the Bay Area’s busiest interstates. Interstate 80 (I-80) is one of the busiest roads in the San Francisco Bay area with up to 270,000 vehicles using the corridor every day. The section between the Carquinez Bridge in Crockett and the Bay Bridge not only suffers congestion during the working week but also at weekends. Traditional remedies such as building additional lanes (there are al
    Read More
  • I-80 Smart Corridor sets the ITS standard for California's Bay Area
    March 23, 2015
    Colin Sowman looks at California’s ‘smartest’ road which will open this spring to counter congestion and accidents on one of the Bay Area’s busiest interstates. Interstate 80 (I-80) is one of the busiest roads in the San Francisco Bay area with up to 270,000 vehicles using the corridor every day. The section between the Carquinez Bridge in Crockett and the Bay Bridge not only suffers congestion during the working week but also at weekends. Traditional remedies such as building additional lanes (there are al
    Read More
  • Carbon finance delivers critical support to mass transit schemes
    February 2, 2012
    David Crawford investigates carbon finance in transport. World Bank carbon finance grants are delivering critical support to major mass transit deployments in emerging and developing economies. Only recently operative in the transport sector, the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM, see panel) is designed to generate additional income streams and improve internal rates of return on projects funded from public- and private-sector sources.
    Read More
  • Navya showcases Autonom cab in Paris
    November 10, 2017
    Navya has unveiled its Autonom Cab (AC) in Paris to address challenges urban populations face when travelling in and around cities. The cab, designed to be completely autonomous, comes without a cockpit, steering wheel or pedals and can carry up to six passengers. It is capable of speeds up to 90km/h, but will average towards 50km/h to conform with local speed limits. The Navya app enables users to order an AC and open and close the vehicle’s doors to start it up. The cab is also capable of pre-empting
    Read More

Highlighted Content