The first robot taxis in Hessen start your test drives-be there!

The first robot taxis in Hessen start your test drives-be there!

From May 26, 2025, the first autonomous taxis will start in public road traffic in Hesse, Germany. The initiative is based on Deutsche Bahn in cooperation with the Rhein-Main Transport Association. This revolution in local transport is supported by an investment of 2.2 million euros from the Ministry of Transport. Passengers can soon book autonomous trips, similar to well-known services such as Uber or Bolt, via the "Kira" app (AI-based regular operation of autonomous on-demand traffic).

In the current test phase, human supervisors sit in the autonomous vehicles in order to be able to intervene in an emergency. This measure is intended to ensure the safety of passengers, while the vehicles drive independently and monitored by an external control center. Interested citizens have the opportunity to register online and take part in free test drives.

innovations in traffic

The new project is part of a more comprehensive strategy for researching autonomous on-demand fleets in local public transport under real traffic conditions. The aim is to develop and test technical, operational and regulatory processes in order to support the introduction of autonomous transport. These developments should not only increase the efficiency of local public transport, but also promote barrier -free mobility and improve access to transport services. According to BMV it is the first time in Germany that passengers can drive with autonomous vehicles.

In the course of this innovation, a new e-shuttle was also worked on with advanced technologies. According to the [Vision Mobility] (https://vision-mobility.de/news/ces-2023-zf-praesent-autonomes-Elektro -Huttle-228767.html), the vehicle includes a lidar, radar and camera system for precise reversible detection. These technologies enable effective communication with the transport infrastructure and a cloud-based platform that provides data for an optimal driving strategy.

advantages and future prospects

The autonomous shuttles offer space for up to 22 people and are equipped with an automatic ramp to facilitate access for people with disabilities. In addition, the vehicles are designed in such a way that they are available around the clock. The goal is to operate emission -free shuttles on defined routes. These new developments are part of a comprehensive ecosystem for autonomous transport systems and offer numerous opportunities for future implementations in local public transport.

summarized is an exciting time in the area of public transport, in which technology and innovative approaches come together to revolutionize mobility in urban and rural areas. The first trips with the autonomous taxis in Hesse are a significant step into the future.