Autonomous bus spearheaded by Transport Minister Schnieder, setting innovative precedent
Germany is taking a significant step forward in the global movement towards autonomous driving with the trial of a large-scale autonomous city bus named "Albus." The test operation of the bus, a collaboration between the German automotive industry, suppliers, and start-ups, is currently underway in Burgdorf near Hannover.
The "Albus," an eight-meter long bus with 22 seats, is equipped for fully automated operation by project partner Adastec. Sensors, hardware, and software have been installed to enable autonomous driving. During the test phase, a driver will be present, ready to intervene if necessary.
Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schneider described the "Albus" project as groundbreaking. After his test ride in the bus, Schneider expressed his belief that autonomous driving is the future and emphasized the importance of testing such technology in everyday life. He found his test ride in the "Albus" to be impressive, stating it felt completely normal after a few meters.
Schneider is not alone in his enthusiasm. If the test is successful, three of these autonomous buses will be integrated into the regional public transport in Hannover, marking a significant milestone for the city. The "Albus" test phase will continue until the end of the year, with a maximum speed of 40 kilometers per hour on a 7-kilometer route in Burgdorf.
The "Albus" is unique in its integration into public transport with a large city bus, a first in Germany. While similar approaches with autonomous minibuses exist elsewhere, the "Albus" stands out for this innovative integration. The bus used in the test is from Turkish manufacturer Karsan.
The success of the "Albus" trial could pave the way for further integration of autonomous technology in public transport, not just in Hannover but potentially across Germany. As the trial progresses, the public will be closely watching to see if this is indeed the future of transportation.
