After receiving all needed permissions by the Saxon State Office for Road Construction and Traffic and by the DEKRA in September 2021 and January 2022, integration testing right on the track for driving automation have been started. The communication between the sub-systems of the autonomous driving has been tested intensively and is basically operative.
The VW eCrafter has successfully completed its first driving tests on the circuit around the Tradefair Lake in January 2022. Further practice tests are scheduled until summer, afterward pilot operation is supposed to start in late summer 2022 with selected passengers.
At our press event on 28 February 2022 current results as well as the further schedule were presented to media representatives. The press event provided an opportunity to representatives of both politics and administration as well as to journalists the see the eCrafter and to observe its mode of operation. Generally, the project ABSOLUT was perceived positively.
On the long term, the project aims to use automotive shuttle buses to provide new avenues of public transport in suburban areas and to enlarge the existing range of possibilities in a manner that is passenger-friendly and helps to preserve the environment. The LVB plans to implement the regular operation of automotive mini buses until 2030.
