Hamburger Hochbahn plans to extend the minibus' test route to 1.8 kilometre in HafenCity next year. To this end, the vehicle is undergoing further development in Gifhorn where the data from the tests hitherto are also being evaluated. Hochbahn has already published initial findings on passenger operations. Around 75 per cent of the passengers hail from Hamburg, but people from the surrounding area and other parts of Germany also took part in the tests.
Test phase with passengers ends - vehicle now gearing up for final testing period
The HEAT (Hamburg Electric Autonomous Transportation) autonomous minibus is undergoing preparations for the final test phase in spring 2021 after tests with passengers ended successfully in October. Almost 600 passengers seized the opportunity to travel along the test route aboard the e-shuttle bus in HafenCity.
Final test phase on longer route
HEAT to showcase at ITS World Congress
The series of tests on the autonomous HEAT minibus began in 2019 without passengers and at limited speeds. The vehicle travels along a defined route itself using built-in cameras and communicates with sensors in area. For safety reasons, a conductor is also on board. The bus can carry up to seven passengers, who can register for the trip free of charge via an app. The project is part of the Hamburg's Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) strategy and will be showcased during the ITS World Congress in Hamburg next year.
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