albus – the autonomous bus service in the Hanover region
Autonomous travel with albus: in Burgdorf, we are testing the first self-driving bus service in public transport – a milestone for the mobility transition.
Experts agree: autonomous driving is key to the mobility transition. In the future, autonomous vehicles will help to provide comprehensive local public transport services around the clock – even outside urban areas. In the town of Burgdorf, the Hanover region has written mobility history – with albus, the first automated public transport bus in trial operation in Germany. albus did operate in Burgdorf from September 2025 to June 2026.
Out and about in Burgdorf
The trial operation did take place independently of regular service along a route based on bus line 906 in Burgdorf.
The automated route was running from the train station via Gartenstraße, Vor dem Celler Tor, Kleiner Brückendamm, the Schwarzer-Herzog roundabout in the southern part of the city, Geibelstraße, Niedersachsenring, Berliner Ring, Immenser Landstraße and Immenser Straße, and back to the train station.
The vehicle traveled around six kilometres through the city – in regular mixed traffic at speeds of up to 40 km/h. The electric bus served stops, crossed traffic light junctions and negotiated urban challenges such as roundabouts and pedestrian crossings completely autonomously.
Safe thanks to sensors
The bus used is a KARSAN autonomous e-ATAK model from the manufacturer KARSAN, which has been equipped with sensors, hardware and software for fully automated operation by project partner ADASTEC. It offers 22 seats and a range of up to 300 kilometres with a length of eight metres. The bus is equipped with modern sensors (LiDAR, radar and infrared) that enable precise positioning and environmental perception all around. The vehicle detects changes on the route, predicts behaviour in real time and reacts in the interests of safe and smooth driving. During the test phase, trained personnel are also on board who can intervene in the control system at any time.
Our project partner ADASTEC presents the details of the bus here.
Researching
What impact does the use of automated transport have on other road users? Are there any particular challenges? Do these change over time? Scientific studies are designed to answer these and other questions and support the introduction of automated transport by analysing factors such as acceptance, environmental and traffic impacts, and legal frameworks. You can easily take part yourself!
An initial online survey was conducted before the start of the trial operation until the end of August 2025. The survey gathered insights into the public's acceptance of automated driving in public transport before the start of the trial operation. We received feedback from more than 1,300 people. After the test operation has been completed, a second survey will be conducted to record and evaluate acceptance after the test operation and any changes in acceptance.
This will allow the vehicle, driving behaviour, accessibility and driving experience to be evaluated. This feedback will be directly incorporated into further development and will be scientifically monitored. The results will be published here after the project has been completed.
We would like to express our sincere thanks for the extensive participation!
The project is being funded by the German Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) with around €3.7 million until mid-2027 and is being continuously developed on the basis of a resolution passed by the German Bundestag.
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