ÖBB Postbus Launches Autonomous Electric Bus Pilot in Austria

The Autonomous e-CENTRO C has now been unveiled and will initially enter pilot service on a predefined route at the European Forum Alpbach. The vehicle’s automated driving functions comply with SAE Level 4, allowing it to handle driving tasks independently within a clearly defined operational area without constant human intervention. However, under current Austrian regulations, a trained safety attendant must still be present on board.

The fully electric e-CENTRO C can accommodate up to 32 passengers and features low-floor access with a wheelchair ramp for accessibility. According to Otokar, the autonomous technology is based on in-house development and proprietary software.

“Autonomous driving is no longer a vision of the future, but a technology with great potential for public transport,” says ÖBB CEO Andreas Matthä. ÖBB aims to gain practical experience through this project and assess how autonomous vehicles can be effectively integrated into existing mobility services. Following the pilot in Alpbach, the next deployment is already planned for Campus Wolfurt industrial park, where the autonomous e-bus will connect businesses with the suburban rail network.

ÖBB Postbus is primarily targeting first- and last-mile applications, but also sees further potential for deployment on clearly defined regional routes. Austria’s Mobility Minister, Peter Hanke, also sees potential for automated buses, particularly for first- and last-mile services in rural areas or during times when conventional scheduled services are difficult to maintain.

For Otokar, Austria is not the company’s first European testing ground. The manufacturer has already deployed its autonomous e-CENTRO in Madrid, with insights from that project now feeding into the Austrian trials.

In parallel, the regulatory framework continues to evolve. The UNECE adopted the first internationally harmonised legal framework for Automated Driving Systems (ADS) in June. It establishes common safety requirements for the development, approval, and operation of fully automated vehicles, specifically targeting applications from SAE Level 4 upwards.

However, this does not mean automatic approval for driverless operation on public roads. The UNECE regulation instead provides a common framework upon which respective approvals can be granted. This is also evident in the ÖBB pilot: while the e-CENTRO C is technically designed for Level 4, a safety attendant is still required on board in Austria – for now.

otokar.com, newstix.de (DE)