Hamburg sets area for autonomous ridepooling trial

The project plans to test up to 20 autonomous electric shuttles, bookable via an app, which will transport passengers to their destination. Two models will be used: the Holon Mover, a mid-sized bus, and the Volkswagen ID.Buzz AD, equipped with advanced sensors. The trial area, about 37 square kilometres in central Hamburg, aims to gather real-world traffic data and enhance public visibility. Safety drivers will initially be present to operate the vehicles if needed.

In the summer of 2025, Moia will deploy pre-series units of the ID.Buzz AD, which uses Mobileye technology. The production version will later offer more passenger space and luggage capacity. Holon vehicles will also hit the road mid-next year for testing. Findings will support future commercial ridepooling services, complementing traditional public transport.

The project, which is subsidised with a total of 26 million euros, is scheduled to run for three years and is divided into three main phases: In the preparatory phase, detailed project planning and software development recently took place. In the current integration phase, the vehicles are being linked to the operating software. Authorisations for vehicles and the operating area are also being obtained. The autonomous ridepooling service will then start with the operating phase in 2025.

The Karlsruher Institute for Technology (KIT) will simultaneously research public acceptance of autonomous vehicles, starting with surveys to gauge attitudes and needs. Hamburg’s Senator for Transport, Dr. Anjes Tjarks, sees this initiative as pivotal in shaping future public transport, offering a bridge between traditional services and individual needs, while reducing reliance on private cars.

Hamburg leads in Europe in this field, with Berlin following closely. The Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) has partnered with Moia for similar trials of the ID.Buzz AD.

moia.io, moia.io (about the vehicles), golem.de, heise.de, hochbahn.de,
x.com (all sources in German)