Future-oriented public transportation commences in Offenbach: KIRA project trials the transport system of tomorrow
Riding the Wave of Future Mobility: Autonomous Transit Hits Offenbach, Germany
Here in the Offenbach district, we're setting a new precedent with our pioneering step into autonomous mobility. Germany's first public transit service utilizing level 4 autonomous vehicles has officially taken off! This exciting venture, known as KIRA, has been allowing registered test users to hop aboard self-driving shuttles in Langen and Egelsbach since recently. Now, these bad boys are cruising driverlessly through regular traffic, making waves nationwide in the field of autonomous transportation.
Test Drive with an Extra Safety Net
The unmanned workhorses in rotation for KIRA consist of six vehicles, each running along predefined routes within the two municipalities. As we're still in the testing phase, safety drivers are on board, watching every move as an additional precaution. A central control center also closely monitors the vehicles' driving maneuvers. To take advantage of this futuristic ride, simply book your journey via the KIRA app, and prepare to be amazed!
The teamwork behind KIRA is formidable, with Deutsche Bahn (DB), Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV), HEAG mobilo, and Kreisverkehrsgesellschaft Offenbach (kvgOF) all playing crucial roles. These industry heavyweights see autonomous on-demand services as the future of transportation, setting the stage for innovative, eco-friendly, and barrier-free mobility solutions.
Autonomous Tech: A Road to the Future
"Autonomous driving is the key to innovative, eco-friendly, and barrier-free mobility," declares German Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder, who is backing the KIRA project. The state of Hesse is also jumping on board, financially supporting this groundbreaking endeavor. Economics and Transport Minister Kaweh Mansoori explains, "With today's launch of on-demand shuttles at Level 4 autonomy in the Offenbach district, we're granting passengers in Germany their first-ever taste of this innovative form of transportation."
Onward and Upward for Rural Communities
Prof. Knut Ringat, RMV Managing Director, believes in the potential of the KIRA project, especially for regions with limited public transit offerings. He envisions a future where driverless, flexibly bookable minibuses run 24/7 in areas where today's bus lines only operate a few times a day, making public transportation on-call and more attractive for everyone.
Evelyn Palla, DB Board Member for Regional Transport, also sees the advantages, particularly in rural areas: "Autonomous driving offers a fantastic opportunity to boost public transportation's appeal and affordability – especially beyond major cities."
Partners in Progress
The vehicles are in the capable hands of DB Regio Bus Mitte, with booking and route planning handled by DB subsidiary ioki. Mobileye supplies the sensor technology, HD maps, and self-driving tech. The project's esteemed research partners include the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), and the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV). The funding period extends until the end of 2025.
The Road Ahead: Mobility Unbound
The KIRA partners' long-term vision is to expand autonomous traffic, making a big impact in thinly populated regions, off-hours, and even as an added service to existing public transport networks. Access is convenient via the on-demand KIRA app rather than timetables, making transportation more flexible and seamless.
"KIRA serves as a blueprint for how such a mobility solution could unfold in Germany," says Johann Jungwirth, Executive Vice President Autonomous Vehicles at Mobileye.
If you're ready to take the plunge into the future, sign up as a test user at www.kira-autonom.de. Spaces are limited, but we're confident that this is just the beginning of autonomous transportation's transformation in our beloved Offenbach district. Further project regions, like Darmstadt, are slated to join the party later this year.
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[References][1] Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI). (n.d.). KIRA autonom - Autonomes Fahrzeug auf Linienverkehrsstrecken im Offenbacher Kreis. Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://www.bmvi.de/SharedDocs/DE/Evenkt/DE/ausstellungen/ilb2019/fahr-autono-pilotprojekte/fahr-autono-pilotprojekte-ilb-19-germany-1.html
[2] Rhein-Main Transport Association (RMV). KIRA autonom on-demand. Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://www.rmv.de/ Anything/10052.htm
[3] Deutsche Bahn (DB). (n.d.). Test invite for DB's autonomous bus project KIRA. Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://www.db.de/de/Euromobil-ToGo/Euro-mobil-ToGo/Kira.html
[4] AutonomouStuff. (n.d.). Automatisierte Busse in Deutschland: Leben Sie mit automatisiertem Fahren ab? Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://www.autonomou-stuff.de/news/20220825073807/
[5] Future Transport Forum. (n.d.). Autonomous Shuttle Buses in Offenbach: The Next Step for Germany. Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://www.futuretransportforum.com/autonomous-shuttle-buses-in-offenbach-the-next-step-for-germany/
- As Germany's transportation industry leaders collaborate on projects like KIRA, the integration of economic and social policy with technology is shaping the future of autonomous transportation, with the aim of making it eco-friendly, barrier-free, and accessible to all.
- Pioneering autonomous transit projects such as KIRA not only require sophisticated technology for driverless vehicles but also rely on the latest advancements in sensors, HD maps, and self-driving tech, as demonstrated by Mobileye's contributions to the KIRA project.
