MAN and MVG test autonomous electric bus in Munich’s public transport system
Image: MAN
Since early September, the automated MAN Lion’s City 12 E has been operating on Munich’s Line 178 between Petuelring and Freimanner Hölzl. This twelve-meter-long electric city bus was automated by MAN Truck & Bus and its technology partner ADASTEC. The test runs are part of the MINGA research project, in which organizations such as Stadtwerke München and Münchner Verkehrsgesellschaft are involved.
The bus is currently being tested by specially trained drivers from MAN and the Munich Transport Company (MVG). Safety crew members are on board throughout the project, ready to take control of the vehicle immediately if needed. In the coming weeks, route data will be collected, which is required for increasingly autonomous operation.
"With the first test runs on this route, we have left the controlled environment of our factory grounds and brought our system into real urban traffic. This is a hugely important step toward automated urban mobility," says Barbaros Oktay, Head of Bus at MAN Truck & Bus.
To enable autonomous operation, a high-resolution, accurate digital map of the route is created. The bus monitors its surroundings using five LiDAR sensors, six radars, eight cameras, and satellite-based positioning. ADASTEC integrates elements such as traffic lights, crosswalks, lane markings, and other relevant features into this HD map using these data. It is designed to allow precise localization of the electric vehicle along the route.
Upon completion of these tasks, the bus is expected to operate the route independently, including steering, accelerating, braking, and signaling on its own. Safety crew members will remain aboard to monitor the systems. Route 178 includes major traffic arteries, 30 km/h zones, parking areas, and underpasses. According to Munich’s city utilities (SWM) and MVG, this setup is intended to enable as realistic a testing environment as possible.
Testing under real conditions
A further project phase with selected test users is expected to begin in November. The bus will then be used as an additional vehicle on the existing Route 178 to simulate future regular service under as realistic conditions as possible. Riding is initially planned for a closed user group. The vehicle has around 30 seating places as well as a space for a wheelchair or stroller.
Before entering public road traffic, the electric bus underwent a testing program on the MAN facility. During this, aspects such as electromagnetic compatibility and the functions of ADASTEC’s automated driving system were tested in various predefined scenarios. A prerequisite was that safety drivers could intervene at any time in case of a potential system failure. Subsequently, technical inspections by TÜV and additional approval procedures followed. The Federal Motor Transport Authority issued the operating permit in accordance with AFGBV regulations.
Interested parties can register to participate in the planned testing phase. MVG will provide separate updates on the exact start date for the ride-sharing service. The experiences gained from the MINGA project are intended to be directly applied by MAN to the development of future vehicle generations. ADASTEC is developing software solutions for automated driving at SAE Level 4 for buses and commercial vehicles.
MINGA stands for “Münchens automatisierter Nahverkehr mit Ridepooling, Solobus und Bus-Platoons” and has been implemented since 2023 with a total of 16 partners from administration, research, and industry. The Mobility Department of Munich City Hall leads the consortium. Topics under investigation include issues related to technology, regulation, cost-effectiveness, accessibility, and the operation of automated and connected mobility solutions. The German Federal Ministry of Transport is funding the project until mid-2027 with around 13 million euros.
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About the author
Thomas Langenbucher is an expert in electromobility with professional experience in the automotive industry and finance sector. Since 2011, he has been covering electric vehicles, sustainable technologies, and mobility solutions for ecomento.de. Learn more.
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