Three months after the launch of the groundbreaking KIRA project, the service area in the Rhine-Main region is expanding. In addition to the existing services in Langen and Egelsbach, passengers can now also use the ioki-powered KIRA app to access shuttles in the northern and western districts of Darmstadt. This expansion marks the first time the fleet of self-driving vehicles is operating in a major city, connecting key locations such as the main train station and integrating autonomous vehicles into the existing public transportation network. Passengers can also travel between the previous service areas of Langen, Egelsbach, and Darmstadt.
Over 1,000 approved test users
Since the test drives began in Langen and Egelsbach at the end of May, more than 1,000 registered individuals have been approved as users for the pilot project. Passengers who have already used the shuttles rate their journeys an average of 4.5 out of 5 points. In the first three months, the vehicles completed more than one trip per hour during operating times (Wednesday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.). Since the initial test runs through Langen and Egelsbach in June 2024 and through Darmstadt in June 2025, the six shuttles have traveled over 60,000 kilometers. The most popular stops are the stations in Langen and Egelsbach.
Registered users can book rides on demand throughout the service area using the KIRA app, powered by ioki. Additional interested parties will be approved based on usage patterns and vehicle availability. ioki provides on-demand software for autonomous service.
Please find the official press release on deutschebahn.comÂ
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About the pioneering project and its partners
KIRA stands for “AI-based regular operation of autonomous on-demand transport” and is the first project in Germany to test autonomous driving at Level 4 with passengers and for local public transport. Deutsche Bahn (DB) and Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV) are leading the initiative. ioki, leading tech-company for digital and autonomous publitc transport, provides the on-demand software for booking and route planning; ioki also integrates the software components of the various technology partners. As a further partner, Mobileye provides self-driving technology, HD maps and specialised sensor technology.
The test operation is taking place in close coordination with the local partners HEAG mobilo GmbH and the Kreisverkehrsgesellschaft Offenbach and is initially scheduled until the end of 2025. An extension is planned. The groundbreaking pilot and research project KIRA receives financial support totalling approximately 2.2 million Euros from the Federal Ministry for Transport (BMV) and the State of Hesse. Research partners in the project include the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), and the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV).
For further information on the KIRA project and its technology, please visit www.kira-autonom.de.
Copyrights © DB AG/Oliver Lang
