- Project ALIKE establishes the area for autonomous shuttles
- Operations start in mid-2025
- Research study on acceptance of autonomous driving begins
Hamburg, November 8, 2024 - Hamburg is approaching a significant milestone in the shift toward new mobility: Starting in mid-2025, Project ALIKE will gradually begin testing autonomous on-demand ridepooling in the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg. The aim is to make autonomous mobility accessible and to test a new form of service – with the long-term goal of sustainably expanding Hamburg’s public transport offering with an innovative solution. The planned operating area, where the autonomous shuttles will operate, extends from Stadtpark to the Elbe and from Schlump to Wandsbek.
Dr. Anjes Tjarks, Senator for Transport and Mobility Transition: "With the deployment of autonomous shuttles in Hamburg's center, we are taking another decisive step towards the public transport of the future. Autonomous ridepooling fills the gap between traditional buses and trains and people’s individual mobility needs. It creates a completely new pillar in public transportation and an attractive alternative to private cars. This makes the public transport system of the future even more efficient and better aligned with the individual needs, routes, and destinations of passengers. In line with the highly successful Germany Ticket, the autonomous vehicles are intended to contribute to a corresponding nationwide offering. My goal, which we are working towards together with our partners, is to have vehicles driving autonomously in a European city for the first time next year. As a model region for mobility, Hamburg is pioneering not only in Germany but across Europe."
Operating Area in the Heart of the City
The planned test operation will take place in an area of around 37 km² in central Hamburg, aimed at gathering a wide range of real-world urban traffic experiences. This area provides ideal conditions for testing autonomous driving under challenging conditions while also achieving high visibility among the general public.
Robert Henrich, CEO of Hamburger Hochbahn AG: "Autonomous driving holds great potential for public transportation. With ALIKE, we will start test operations next year in the heart of the city. More than 300,000 people live in the planned operating area. We aim to use this project to learn exactly where autonomous vehicles can enhance public transportation, offering people an even better alternative to private cars."
Two Vehicle Models for Test Operations
In 2025, two fully electric, autonomous vehicle models will begin test operations as part of ALIKE. Mid-year, MOIA will deploy the Volkswagen ID. Buzz AD as part of the project. This compact and agile vehicle, capable of carrying up to four passengers, is designed specifically for urban use. During street testing, legally required safety drivers will be on board.
Sascha Meyer, CEO of MOIA: "MOIA plays a dual role in the ALIKE project. As the first operator, we will launch the test operations with the ID. Buzz AD next year. In addition, our ride-pooling system connects the various components of operators and vehicles, merging them into an integrated offering throughout the project. With ALIKE, we are turning our strategic goal of an open mobility platform for shared autonomous transport into reality."
HOLON vehicles will begin initial test drives in Hamburg in mid-2025, initially with a safety driver. The fully accessible vehicles can accommodate up to 15 passengers. Overall, up to 20 autonomous vehicles from both operators are expected to be deployed during the project period, available for booking via the hvv switch and MOIA apps.
Research on Public Acceptance
In addition to technical implementation, the project aims to explore public acceptance of autonomous driving. The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) will scientifically accompany ALIKE and will launch the first phase of accompanying research on November 11, 2024. This phase includes a representative survey targeting at least 1,000 participants by the end of 2024. The survey aims to provide insights into how the public reacts to autonomous vehicles and what needs should be considered in further development.
The ALIKE project is supported by a consortium of six partners: HOCHBAHN takes the lead, supported by the on-demand service MOIA, vehicle manufacturers HOLON and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) as a research partner, and the Hamburg Authority for Transport and Mobility Transition (BVM). The partners combine expertise from business and research to develop a future-oriented mobility solution. The three-year project is funded with 26 million euros by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport.
