Autonomous bus services halted in Ilmenau
Autonomous Electric Bus Pilot Project Ends in Ilmenau
May 30, 2025 - 16:27 PM
The four-year-long autonomous bus pilot project "Camil" in Ilmenau, Germany, has come to an end. The city's D line will now operate with conventional buses instead of the driverless electric minibuses that were previously used. The project partners are currently seeking new applications for the vehicles. Researchers at the Technical University of Ilmenau have gained significant insights from the deployment of self-driving buses.
The driverless electric minibuses between the train station and the university campus will no longer be part of Ilmenau's public transport. However, the city line D will continue to operate with regular buses.
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The electric buses have been off the streets of Ilmenau due to construction work. Despite this, the transport operator IOV initially intended to continue operating the buses. This decision was ultimately thwarted as the French manufacturer Easymile is reportedly exiting the public transport sector, causing the software license for the high-automated minibus to lapse.
IOV, along with the Technical University of Ilmenau, is actively seeking partners or institutions to operate the vehicles with their own software for various projects or purposes. The primary objective is to identify follow-up uses for the autonomous buses.
Research Milestone Acknowledged
Scientists from the Technical University of Ilmenau have accompanied the deployment of the minibuses to further advance the technology and research the acceptance of autonomous buses within the project.
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The president of the Technical University of Ilmenau, Kai-Uwe Sattler, described the project as a "milestone for research and future mobility solutions in rural areas".
Potential Future Projects
The insights gained from the deployment of the minibuses may serve as a basis for future projects in the Ilm district, in collaboration with the city and the Thuringian Innovation Center for Mobility (ThIMo) at the Technical University. The long-term focus lies on autonomous, flexible vehicle fleets that can be operated without a driver and centrally monitored.
The project is scheduled to conclude on June 9. With the "Camil" buses, high-automation driving was integrated into the timetable of a public transport operator for the first time in Thuringia. The project was initiated in 2021 with participation from the city, the district, ThIMo, and IOV Omnibusverkehr GmbH Ilmenau.
Three electric buses to roll through Erfurt city center from summer
[refer to the complete reference list and additional links in the original article for further reading on e-mobility in Thuringia]
Comments Section
Anni22 - 3 hours agoWhat kind of contracts are these where the operator can just pull out? I don't understand that at all, what was the cost?
MAENNLEIN-VON-DIESER-WELT - 5 hours agoAs an effective solution against the shortage of skilled workers in public transport, this project could have potentially convinced AI critics like me, especially if it had been pursued further in other towns, such as Großbreitenbach or between FH Erfurt and the slaughterhouse area... However, it seems that Germany lacks a focus on technological advancements when it comes to transportation, as shown by the limited attention given to technology initiatives in Ilmenau, even though it plays a crucial role in international space exploration through the ESA and Erfurter Kreuz. Unfortunately, the beloved, yet underutilized blue Ilmenau shuttle buses, reminiscent of Goethe's era, may not have found a lasting place in public transportation.
Number of charging stations in Central Germany increases - but west German states still clearly ahead
Maria A. - 2 hours agoKudos to your team for creating such a lovely classic car photo series!
- Despite IOV's initial plan to continue operating the driverless electric minibuses, the project has ended due to the French manufacturer Easymile exiting the public transport sector, causing the software license to lapse.
- The Technical University of Ilmenau and IOV are looking for partners or institutions to operate the electric minibuses with their own software, aiming to identify follow-up uses for the autonomous buses.
- The city line D will run with conventional buses instead of the driverless electric minibuses, but the insights gained from the deployment of the minibuses may serve as a basis for future projects involving autonomous, flexible vehicle fleets in the Ilm district.
