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Hamburg is set to welcome a new era in public transportation with the introduction of autonomous shuttles as part of the hvv hop fleet in Hamburg-Harburg. In a recent collaboration, vhh.mobility, IAV, and eVersum announced a plan to roll out five autonomous vehicles by the second half of 2025, aiming to transition to regular public transport using level 4 autonomous vehicles. Funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport, this project signifies a major step toward modernizing and enhancing the mobility landscape in Hamburg.
Key Highlights:
- Five autonomous vehicles to be supplied for the ahoi project.
- Deployment begins in Hamburg-Harburg from the second half of 2025.
- Gradual integration into the hvv hop fleet to replace manual shuttles.
- Level 4 autonomy aimed for full operation, providing driverless transport.
- Project funded by the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport with €18 million.
The initial deployment will include a safety driver during testing, with the goal of moving toward full autonomy. The collaboration between vhh.mobility, IAV, and eVersum is set to deliver five modular eShuttle vehicles. Testing will start in Harburg in 2025, and gradual deployment of all shuttles will follow, eventually increasing the fleet size to up to 20 autonomous shuttles. The eVersum modular eShuttle features nine seats with additional space for a wheelchair or stroller, ensuring accessibility for all passengers.
Dr. Anjes Tjarks, Senator for Transport and Mobility Transition in Hamburg, emphasized Hamburg’s pioneering role in public transport: “Together with our partners, we are doing pioneering work in Hamburg to develop the public transport system of the future.” This partnership aims to make Hamburg a leader in autonomous urban and suburban mobility, addressing challenges such as the shortage of skilled drivers while offering innovative mobility solutions.
The project, known as the ahoi project (Automation of the Hamburg On-Demand Service with Integration into Public Transport), will focus on achieving level 4 autonomy. At this level, vehicles can operate without drivers, safely transporting passengers between points A and B, a concept that remains largely untested in Germany. The Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport has committed around €18 million to support the endeavor.
According to Dr. Lorenz Kasch, Managing Director of vhh.mobility, this initiative represents an important milestone: “The road ahead for fully autonomous shuttles as part of public transport in Germany is still a long one and real pioneering work. Today, we have taken a big step towards this goal.” Kasch also highlighted that the initial test phase would involve safety drivers on board before the full rollout.
Carsten Rinka, Chief Sales and Projects Officer at IAV, echoed this sentiment, noting that this project is a step toward sustainable and future-proof mobility. eVersum’s Managing Director, Holger Postl, mentioned that the eShuttle’s modular design is perfectly suited for projects like ahoi, where efficient, flexible, and accessible transport is critical for success.
The choice of Harburg as the testing ground was strategic, given its current lack of sufficient public transport services despite the availability of options like the S-Bahn and buses. By closing these gaps, the project aims to offer flexible and innovative on-demand services, enhancing connectivity and providing an alternative to private cars. This integration is expected to make Hamburg-Harburg a leader in autonomous on-demand transport, connecting more residents to the city’s extensive public transport network.
hvv hop was Germany’s first suburban on-demand service when launched in 2018 and has transported over 1.5 million passengers since its inception. The Harburg-specific service began in January 2023 and has already served over 340,000 passengers. With autonomous integration, hvv hop is poised to lead the way in transforming urban and suburban mobility, delivering a new level of service to Hamburg residents.
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