Hamburg starts test phase for autonomous e-shuttles: mobility of the future!

Hamburg starts test phase for autonomous e-shuttles: mobility of the future!

Hamburg, Deutschland - Hamburg stands on the eve of a mobility revolution! As part of the groundbreaking Alike project, an innovative system with up to 20 autonomous e-shuttles will be tested next year. These futuristic vehicles, which can be conveniently booked via the app, pick up passengers directly and bring them to their destination. Two exciting models are used: the Holon Mover, a spacious Midibus, and the VW Id.buzz ad, equipped with the latest sensors. A strong consortium of six partners, including the Hamburg Hochbahn and Volkswagen commercial vehicles, is driving this project.

The test phase will take place in a 37 square kilometer area in the heart of Hamburg. Valuable experiences in real city traffic are to be gained here. The project participants emphasize that security drivers are legally prescribed during the tests in order to be able to intervene manually in an emergency. The operating area extends from the city park to the Elbe and from Schlump to Wandsbek. From mid-2025 Moia will put the ID.Buzz AD into operation, which is equipped with advanced mobileye technology. The holon vehicles will also take their first test drives in summer.

social acceptance in focus

The Alike project, which is funded at 26 million euros, is created for three years and includes several phases. The first phase included project planning and software development, while the current phase includes the integration of the vehicles into the operating software. Robert Henrich, CEO of Hamburger Hochbahn AG, sees great opportunities for public transport in autonomous. "More than 300,000 people live in the planned company area. We want to learn how autonomously driving vehicles can improve public transport," he explains.

In addition, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) will examine the social acceptance of autonomous driving. A representative survey is intended to show how the public reacts to these new means of transport. Hamburg's traffic senator Dr. Anjes Tjarks describes the autonomous ridepooling as the lack of puzzle pieces in local public transport. "We create a new pillar in public transport and an attractive alternative to private cars," he emphasizes. And while Hamburg is considered a pioneer in Europe, Berlin could soon follow because the Berlin transport companies also show interest in the autonomous shuttles.