Self-driving shuttle buses will be operating in Leuven before the end of this year. The vehicles will be able to seat eight passengers and will drive around the city center. With this pilot project, Leuven is following the example of other European cities, such as Zurich, Barcelona, and Paris.

The project is part of the European initiative EIT Urban Mobility, which aims to investigate the potential role of autonomous vehicles in urban surroundings. The pilot will receive European support. 

Mixed urban conditions

The WeRide Robobus, as the vehicle is called, is a Level 4 electric minibus, designed to operate autonomously. The vehicle accommodates eight to nine passengers and travels at up to 40 kph. These vehicles are built to operate in cities, at airports, or at tourist sites.

The exact route the self-driving shuttle will follow has not yet been announced. Preference is given to a route with mixed urban conditions. During the pilot project, the shuttle bus will be tested to see how it drives in complex traffic situations and how it takes other road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, into account.

Steward on board

Safety is paramount during this test run, which will take place this fall. De Lijn, Leuven police, and the city council are currently working on the necessary safety measures. Although the bus is intended to drive completely autonomously, there will always be a steward on board who can intervene when necessary.

Earlier, the transport company De Lijn also announced a similar experiment with self-driving buses in Leuven. However, that project, which was initially scheduled to roll out in 2026, has since been delayed. 

The tender procedure was put on hold because the Flemish Government still has to decide on the co-financing of the investment costs in the autonomous bus shuttle.