First autonomous shuttle bus to start test operation in Hamburg
By Jim Gibbins - 1st August 2019
Germany – Hamburg is to begin test operation of an autonomous passenger shuttle in August. The minibus is central to the Hamburg Electric Autonomous Transportation (HEAT), which is Germany’s unique research and development project to integrate an autonomous shuttle bus into regular street traffic. The aim of the HEAT research and development project is to test uncharted territory: Proving self-driving minibuses can be fully and safely integrated into street traffic and a city’s public transport system.
The HEAT minibus will be tested under real conditions on public streets. It is capable of autonomous driving at speeds of up to 50km/h. The vehicle is 5m long, weighing just under three tons, powered by electricity. It has space for up to ten passengers and will run commercially through Hamburg’s HafenCity as of mid-2020 and part of the Hamburger Hochbahn fleet. The vehicle is in continuous communication with sensors installed along the route and with the Hochbahn control centre.
