Hamburg’s first autonomous shuttle bus will start its trial run next month.
There are only be five stops along the 1.8-kilometre-long route in Hamburg’s Hafencity. Initially, the only passenger will be an attendant who can take control if necessary.
By mid 2020, it should start carrying passengers. There is room for up to ten people. By the time the ITS World Congress opens in October 2021, the minibus should be operating autonomously (without an attendant) according to SAE Level 4 specifications.
In the first phase, the minibus will drive along the streets Am Dalmannkai, Großer Grasbrook, Am Sandtorkai and Am Sandtorpark.
On this route, the vehicle will first be tested for autonomously crossing the intersection of Am Dalmannkai and Großer Grasbrook as well as how it communicates with sensors along the route and the control center.
In the second phase, the minibus will also operate on Am Kaiserkai and thus drive directly past Hamburg’s Elbe Philharmonic Hall.
HEAT aims to show how vehicles equipped with autonomous driving functions can be properly and safely approved and operated. This is new legal territory.
During the test operations, they will see how traffic laws need to be developed and adapted to this new situation. HEAT will provide impulses for the necessary laws.
Reference- Clean Technica