While autonomous "air taxis" may still be some time away, automated passenger transportation on the road is already a reality—at least in pilot projects. Visitors to XPONENTIAL Europe (February 18–20, 2025) will have the opportunity to experience future mobility firsthand with MIRA’s teleoperated shuttle. Similarly, in Mannheim and Friedrichshafen, self-driving shuttle buses are in operation as part of the RABus joint project.
A real-world laboratory for automated bus operations—this is the essence of RABus, the name of a research project that has been running self-driving buses on a trial basis in Friedrichshafen and Mannheim since autumn 2024. The project shuttles, equipped for autonomous driving by the technology group ZF, can accommodate up to ten passengers, including one space for individuals with reduced mobility. With a single battery charge, they achieve a range of approximately 100 kilometers, operating at speeds of up to 40 km/h in urban areas and up to 60 km/h on rural roads.
RABus aims to make public transport more flexible, affordable and environmentally friendly to ensure improved mobility for the population in the long term. This is particularly important in areas outside urban centers, where many people still rely on private cars because buses and trains are either unavailable or rarely a viable alternative to individual transportation. Providing public transport with an attractive schedule is simply not economically feasible in such areas.
According to initial findings from the recently extended RABus project, which will now continue until summer 2025, fully automated operation of smaller vehicles on demand can create a meaningful complement to traditional public transport offerings, especially in rural regions. “RABus and similar research projects are trailblazing for the future of climate-neutral transportation. Autonomous shuttles can significantly improve public transport connections in rural areas,” emphasized Winfried Hermann, Minister of Transport for Baden-Württemberg, at the conclusion of the first funding phase of the joint project. “The strong public interest in taking a test ride with RABus is a very encouraging sign.”
> This article was created in collaboration with Drones, the magazine for the drone economy. www.drones-magazin.de