Overview
- The MINGA research project ran its first passenger media ride on Tuesday and will begin volunteer weekday service on Line 178 from Nov 17 with roughly 2,000 people already registered.
- The test vehicle is a 12‑metre electric bus equipped with lidar, radar, cameras and satellite positioning and is reported by the manufacturer to steer, accelerate, brake and signal autonomously.
- Partners operate the bus with an onboard safety driver who monitors systems and can take control while a second operator watches system displays, and project leads say supervision will shift toward remote or central operators over coming years.
- The trial is federally funded at about €13 million and brings together MVG, SWM, MAN Truck & Bus and research partners to evaluate driverless solo buses, digitally linked buses and platoons in real passenger service.
- Organizers say the tests, running through June 2027, are meant to show whether autonomous buses can ease staffing pressures and win public trust and broader interest from firms such as Waymo suggests Munich is positioning itself as a hub for autonomous mobility.