Autonomous Airside Shuttle Bus

Zurich Airport is piloting a self-driving shuttle bus for employees on the airport’s apron, connecting key areas via a dedicated route. In collaboration with WeRide and Swiss Transit Lab, the project aims to test autonomous technology, enhance efficiency, and set the standards for future tests.

Initiated by

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Location

Zürich

Launching year (s)

2025

Project state

On going

Involved members

A self-driving shuttle bus to transport employees at Zurich airport

The Zurich Airport self-driving bus project aims to introduce one of Europe’s first automated shuttle bus service within an airport environment in a collaboration between Flughafen Zürich AG and WeRide. The project will deploy a self-driving shuttle to transport airport employees efficiently and sustainably. This pilot, led by the ZRH Innovation Hub, aims to set a benchmark for the integration of autonomous mobility solutions in airport operations.

Project Goals

Establish Operational Standards: Develop a comprehensive framework for the safe and efficient operation of autonomous vehicles in complex airport environments.
Enhance Employee Transport: Improve connectivity between operational areas at Zurich Airport.

Key Features

Vehicle

A fully autonomous shuttle (Robobus) provided by WeRide, accommodating up to nine passengers.
Source: Zurich Airport media release

Dedicated Route

Connects the employee entrance at Gate 101 to the work area at Gate 130, avoiding airplane taxiways to ensure safe operations.

Source: Zurich Airport media release

Technology Provider

WeRide, a global leader in autonomous mobility, with extensive deployment experience in Paris, Abu Dhabi, and other locations.

Phased Rollout

Initial Phase: Safety driver onboard to monitor operations.
Future Phase if initial phase is successful: Transition to remote monitoring by a centralized operations center at the airport.

Partnerships

Flughafen Zürich AG: Leads and oversees the project and ensures compliance with stringent safety and data protection standards.
WeRide: Supplies advanced autonomous driving technology, including vehicles and software.
Swiss Transit Lab (STL): Provided expertise in smart mobility and advice for operational implementation during the tender process.

Timeline

December 2024: Route mapping and system calibration completed.
Q1 2025: Tests and configuration
Q2 2025: Launch of the shuttle service with live operations for airport employees.
2025 and Beyond: Data analysis to refine operations and explore broader applications.

Innovation and Global Leadership

The Zurich Airport Autonomous Airside Shuttle Bus project leverages the expertise of global partners to test and refine autonomous technologies in a demanding, real-world environment. The initiative builds on successful deployments by WeRide, including collaborations with Renault in Paris and Uber in Abu Dhabi.

In Switzerland, WeRide has been chosen by TPG (Transports Publics Genevois) and SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) for their autonomous mobility use cases, further solidifying its role as a leading provider of self-driving technology in our country.

Zurich Airport’s initiative benefits from knowledge-sharing exchanges with other leading airports, such as Brussels and Amsterdam, to advance the global adoption of autonomous mobility solutions.

This project represents a pivotal step in transforming airport ground transportation and underscores Zurich Airport’s role as a trailblazer in sustainable, smart mobility.