Authors | Patricia M. Liceras, Lucía Burbano
Autonomous driving technologies continue to develop, but despite what we may think if we were to read the newspapers, cars are not the only form of transport under the spotlight. Since Germany launched the first driverless tram in Potsdam in 2018, the country has made steady progress in automating public transportation and integrating it into its mobility plans. This progress has been gradual and carefully regulated, focusing more on advanced pilot projects than on large scale deployment.
What is the current status of driverless trams in Germany?
The AStriD (Autonomous Tram in Depot) project, led by Siemens Mobility with the participation of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, focused on automating tram operations within depots. This is a controlled environment where complexity is lower than on public roads and corresponds to level 1 of autonomous driving.
Siemens Mobility developed the autonomous tram within the depot, integrating it into the overall system through a data hub provided by Codewerk and monitoring it using a digital map supplied by Mapillary.
Verkehrsbetrieb Potsdam provided both the vehicle and the depot and evaluated the results from an operator’s perspective. The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology contributed its expertise in depot digitalization, process automation, and identifying the data required for development.
In 2021, the project successfully operated a driverless tram in a depot in Potsdam, validating the technical feasibility of the concept. That same year, Siemens Mobility announced plans to bring the system to market by 2026. This does not mean it will be adopted on a large scale, but rather that the technology has reached a level of maturity that allows for initial commercial projects or deployment with operators.
How an automated depot works
Beyond the technology itself, AStriD introduced the concept of a “digital depot,” where fleet management is automatically optimized and manual tasks are reduced.
An automated depot like the one developed in this autonomous mobility project operates as an integrated cyber physical system. It combines autonomous vehicles, digital infrastructure, and a central system that orchestrates all operations without direct human intervention.
Thanks to technologies such as sensors (LiDAR, cameras, and odometry), positioning systems, and autonomous motion control, the tram “knows” where it is and how to move at all times.
To enable this autonomous driving system, it must be supported by smart infrastructure such as automated track switches, digital signaling, and connected service areas.
Although AStriD did not operate in urban environments, it laid the groundwork for the gradual automation of public transportation, first in internal operations and later in passenger service. In this respect, it represents a key intermediate step toward fully autonomous rail and tram systems.
One example of fully automated operation was the movement of trams through a washing track located on siding tracks.
Other examples of how Germany is automating its public transportation
RABus Project (2021-2024)
The RABus project involved Level 4 autonomous shuttles operating in Mannheim and Friedrichshafen as a complement to public transportation. They operated in specific areas to validate their integration into real traffic and their operational feasibility.
Deutsche Bahn autonomous shuttle (2017–present)
The Deutsche Bahn autonomous shuttle follows a similar approach but focuses on on-demand services, particularly in rural or low-density areas, helping fill gaps in traditional transportation with flexible and automated solutions.
HEAT Project (Hamburg, 2018-2021)
A pioneering pilot project that demonstrates that autonomous electric minibuses can operate with passengers in real urban environments using sensors, connected infrastructure, and remote control, validating both the technology and public acceptance.
KIRA Project (2023–2025)
The step before commercialization: Level 4 autonomous shuttles transporting real passengers in Germany on demand, integrated into the public transport system and digitally managed, although the project is still in a supervised pilot phase.
A pioneering legal framework for mobility automation
Germany was a pioneer in approving a law in 2021 that allows Level 4 autonomous vehicles on public roads under specific conditions, enabling these advanced pilots.
The regulation establishes specific elements that did not previously exist in Europe: it defines legal responsibilities, requires a remote technical operator, regulates the use of specific operational areas (ODD, Operational Design Domain), and allows administrative approval of commercial services, not just pilot projects.
This directly impacts commercialization by reducing regulatory uncertainty, which is one of the main barriers to investing in and deploying these technologies.
Thanks to this law, companies such as Deutsche Bahn and technology providers can move from prototypes to real business models, as there is now a clear path to obtain permits, operate services, and manage risk in a structured way. In practice, it enables public contracts, deployment on specific routes, and gradual scaling.
By contrast, although countries such as France and Spain have conducted similar trials, they have more restrictive or fragmented regulatory frameworks, generally limited to controlled environments or requiring strong human supervision.
Meanwhile, Sweden and the Netherlands have been active in running pilot projects, but without a national framework as enabling as that of Germany.
Five frequently asked questions about the automation of public transportation in Germany
- What is tram automation in Germany?
It refers to the automation of tram operations, starting with depots and progressing toward autonomous driving using sensors, AI, and centralized remote control.
- Are autonomous trams already carrying passengers?
Not yet on a widespread basis. Most projects are still in pilot phases or limited to depots, with only limited testing on public tracks.
- What are the advantages?
Greater efficiency, lower operating costs, better use of infrastructure, and a foundation for future autonomous systems.
- How does German regulation influence this?
The 2021 law allows Level 4 autonomous vehicles to operate under controlled conditions with remote supervision, facilitating pilot projects and future commercialization.
- When will they be fully autonomous?
There is no exact timeline. Deployment is expected to be gradual, starting in controlled environments.
Images | Siemens, AlizadaStudios/iStock, golero/iStock
