Karsan Pioneers Autonomous Public Transport in Europe
Karsan, a company transforming public transport infrastructure with its electric and autonomous vehicles, has taken another significant step in transforming mobility in Europe.
Following the successful launch of the world's first Level-4 autonomous public transport vehicle, the Autonomous e-ATAK in Madrid, Spain, the innovative driverless technology has now made its way to Bolzano, Italy.
Bolzano welcomes Italy’s first autonomous bus
Introducing the Autonomous e-ATAK to Bolzano marks a significant milestone in Italy's journey towards smart and sustainable mobility.
At the launch participants had the opportunity to experience the country's first autonomous bus as Karsan organised a test drive in Bolzano.
The event showcased the potential of autonomous technology to transform the future of public transport.
The event, hosted by Bolzano's public transport authority SASA, provided a platform for evaluating the capabilities of the Autonomous e-ATAK under real-world conditions.
The test drive occurred at the Safety Park circuit near Bolzano, which was designed for safe driving simulations and advanced automation trials.
During the demonstration, the Autonomous e-ATAK successfully navigated the course without driver intervention, proving its efficiency and reliability.
The vehicle's manoeuvrability was demonstrated by smoothly handling tight corners and different traffic scenarios.
Autonomous public transport
Developed in partnership with technology provider ADASTEC, it is the first Level-4 autonomous electric bus to operate in real-world conditions.
The bus has already carried passengers along a 5km route for 18 months at Michigan State University in the US.
It has been in operation in Stavanger, Norway, since 2022, where it runs on an open traffic route with ticketed passengers.
Recently, its route was extended to include a tunnel, making it the first autonomous vehicle to navigate such an infrastructure successfully.
Building on its success in the US, Norway, France, Romania, Finland and Turkey, Karsan plans to expand into Switzerland, the Netherlands and Sweden in 2025.
With 11 autonomous projects at 10 different locations, the e-ATAK remains the world's only Level-4 autonomous bus in active public transport.
A sustainable and intelligent mobility solution
Equipped with an advanced sensor package, the Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK integrates LiDAR, Radar, RGB Cameras, GNSS and cutting-edge sensors to provide seamless navigation and situational awareness in all weather conditions.
The vehicle can reach speeds of up to 40km/h and can autonomously perform all essential bus operations, including stopping at designated areas, managing passenger entry and exit and responding to traffic signals.
The e-ATAK is an ideal solution for urban mobility.
It measures 8.3 metres in length and offers high passenger capacity while maintaining sustainability.
It supports efficient charging, needing five hours with AC units or three hours with DC units to achieve a full charge, ensuring round-the-clock service availability.
With a 59-year legacy in the Turkish automotive industry, Karsan has established itself as a leading manufacturer of commercial vehicles.
As Turkey's only independent multi-brand vehicle manufacturer, Karsan remains committed to being at the forefront of mobility solutions, continually developing innovative products and services is paving the way for a smarter, more sustainable future in public transport.
With the successful introduction of the Autonomous e-ATAK in Italy, Karsan continues demonstrating its commitment to advancing the future of transportation across Europe.
As more cities adopt autonomous solutions, Karsan aims to play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of public mobility, providing all safer, smarter and more sustainable transportation options.
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