ARTOUR – Autonomous full-size Bus for public transport 

The project SCCL – Self Controlled City Bus – in Arbon is initiated and led by the TGA – the Technical Association Arbon. The autonomous full-size bus circulates on a new licensed bus line – the Altstadt Linie – in Arbon’s historic old town. The electric powered bus is part of the public transport and is handicapped accessible. The name ARTOUR for the bus was chosen by a jury after a public call. 

Final goal of SCCL – demonstrate: 

• that ARTOUR functions automatic, safe and smooth in mixed traffic on the narrow streets of Arbon old town 

• that all situations, in which the automatic system requests assistance, are handled by the remote operator and can be solved efficiently and error-free in the Control Center 

Vision – create new opportunities for public transportation:  

• A couple of buses can by monitored and – if necessary – remotely driven by one person from the control center 

• No driver on board (biggest cost factor, shortage of skilled workers) 

• Significant savings enable more efficient public transportation and further expansion of public services, e.g., improved service coverage 

Technology and Operation 

ARTOUR is automated by ADASTECs flowride.ai, a level 4 ADS. integrated in the serial bus e-Atak of KARSAN. The bus is equipped with Lidars, Cameras and Radars. In the bus depot is the control center located, from where the bus is supervised and remotely manoeuvred, if required by the ADS. The area, where the bus circulates, is mapped with a main route of 2.5 km with 9 stops. For events, blocked roads, etc. 6 alternative routes are mapped and ready for immediate change. All regular stops are equipped with handicapped accessible platforms. An electric ramp can be used at any place. As required from FEDRO, a safety driver has to accompany the bus (details see project phases). The bus circulates in a ½ h-tact 7 days/week, 365 days/year with a timetable from 08 to 18 o’clock. The operation covers all seasons with all weather conditions, including winter with snow. 

Pilotproject SCCL – Phases 

The formal approval from the federal offices FEDRO and FOT is dated July 29, 2025. The project has the following phases: 

Phase 1: Test phase after mapping (Aug.-Sept. 2025, without passenger) 

Phase 2: Operation with passengers and winter-timetable (15. Oct. – 31. Dez. 2025) 

Phase 3: Operation with passengers, change to summer timetable; partial testing teleoperation (Q1-Q4 2026) 

Phase 4: Operation with passengers supervised by teleoperation from the control center and taking the safety driver step for step away from the steering wheel. 

• 4a: Safety driver on driver’s seat (Q1-Q2 2027) 

• 4b: Safety driver on seat beside driver’s seat (Q3-Q4 2027) 

• 4c: Safety driver as companion in passenger compartment (Q1-Q2 2028) 

Governance and Partners 

The Pilotproject SCCL is led by TGA in close partnership with the City of Arbon and Eurobus Ostschweiz AG as operator. In the steering board are additionally Arbon Energie AG, Postauto AG and LARAG. The project is financially supported by the Kanton Thurgau, the Federal Office of Traffic (FOT), the City of Arbon and main sponsors as Geobrugg, Swisscom IoT, p2data. The staff of TGA works complimentary. 

Uniqueness and Cooperation 

ARTOUR is the first full-size bus to be supervised and teledriven – if required by the ADS – without a safety driver in the western world.   Questions, how to handle a driverless public bus with regard to handicapped persons or how to detect emergency situations in the passenger area of the bus, using AI, etc. are first time addressed. That’s why a high interest from all kind of national and international public transport providers exists and leads to specific cooperation and exchange of experience.