Through a pilot project, Ingolstadt aims to bring autonomous minibuses onto the roads as part of public transport. To this end, the city has partnered with ZF Friedrichshafen AG and its subsidiary “Zukunft Mobility” and launched a pilot project. With its modern road infrastructure and the technically capable INVG control center, Ingolstadt offers excellent framework conditions and prerequisites for successfully integrating autonomous shuttles into public transport as a supplement to scheduled services for passengers.
Zukunft Mobility GmbH is headquartered in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, directly at the Digital Test Field Autobahn along the A9 federal motorway. In addition, the necessary real-vehicle tests can be carried out and analyzed on site at an adjacent research area.
The autonomous bus shuttle to be evaluated in the pilot project is intended to be suitable for normal road traffic. The vehicle will be slightly smaller than a standard bus and is expected to accommodate around 25 people. The autonomous electric bus shuttle tested in Ingolstadt is expected to reach speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour and to have an improved range.
