Karsan Introduces Autonomous Technology to Public Transport in Sweden

Karsan (IS:KARSN), with the vision of being "a step ahead in the future of mobility," continues on its path to becoming a global brand, adding another first to its worldwide achievements. The Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK, the world's first and only level-4 autonomous bus that carries ticketed passengers in open traffic, will now become Sweden's first driverless vehicle. In a project realized in collaboration with Adastec, Västtrafik, Vy Buss, and Applied Autonomy, the Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK will provide a seamless and efficient transportation solution in the Gårda region of the city by connecting Gothenburg's Central Station to Liseberg Station, set to begin passenger service in August 2025. Karsan CEO Okan Baş stated that since 2021, the Autonomous e-ATAK has supported public transportation in various locations around the world, "Our Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK, the first level-4 autonomous bus carrying ticketed passengers in open traffic in Norway and Finland, is now set to break new ground in public transportation in Sweden. With the 100,000 kilometers we have covered and the 35,000 passengers we have carried with our autonomous vehicle, we have gained significant experience. This accumulated knowledge and feedback from our customers enable us to produce increasingly innovative solutions, pushing our boundaries further every day. We will continue to shape the future by solidifying our leadership in autonomous technology."

Dr. Ali Ufuk Peker, CEO of ADASTEC, added, "I am very proud to have brought Sweden's first SAE Level-4 autonomous public transport bus to life in collaboration with Västtrafik, Vy Buss, Karsan, and Applied Autonomy. About three years ago, we embarked on this journey by achieving a 'world first' in Europe and the United States, successfully deploying our buses that carry ticketed passengers in open traffic through our autonomous driving software in many cities across Europe and continue to do so."

Karsan plays a pioneering role in the transformation of public transportation to electric and autonomous vehicles, continuing to make firsts in the industry with its innovative technologies. Having become a global brand with successful projects spanning from Japan to the United States, Karsan serves in 23 countries across three continents with its electric vehicles. In this context, the Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK, developed in collaboration with its technology partner ADASTEC, is set to enter the passenger transport market in Sweden as the world's first Level-4 autonomous electric bus.

Starting passenger transport in August 2025! In the project carried out by Karsan in collaboration with ADASTEC, Västtrafik, Vy Buss, and Applied Autonomy, the Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK will commence passenger service in August 2025 as Sweden's first Level-4 autonomous vehicle. With the realization of the project, the Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK will connect Gothenburg's Central Station to Liseberg Station, providing a seamless and efficient transportation solution in Gårda. The flowride.ai platform developed by ADASTEC will seamlessly integrate with Gothenburg's transit infrastructure, creating an operationally efficient and accessible route that enhances the city's connectivity. Initially, the bus will operate as part of Västtrafik's public transport network. Emphasizing that they continue to play a pioneering role in the global transition of public transport to electric and autonomous vehicles, Karsan CEO Okan Baş stated, "Since the launch of Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK in 2021, we have proven our reliability with 35,000 passenger experiences. Our vehicle, which performs flawlessly in severe weather conditions of up to minus 25 degrees Celsius, is also recognized as the first autonomous vehicle in Europe to pass through tunnels. Our achievements in firsts and successful projects encourage us to achieve even more."

Dr. Ali Ufuk Peker of ADASTEC remarked, "The flowride.ai software developed by ADASTEC proves itself through real-world applications in the buses integrated by Karsan at the factory, adding value to local communities with sustainable and accessible public transport solutions. This project in Gothenburg once again highlights the global significance of autonomous public transport in terms of sustainability and urban mobility. We believe that such initiatives will set a crucial foundation for creating smarter and more connected cities by reducing carbon footprints and increasing inclusivity in the future."

The first and only one in the world with 35,000 passenger experiences! The Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK made history by carrying passengers over a 5-kilometer route on the Michigan State University campus in the United States for 1.5 years. Since 2022, the Autonomous e-ATAK has been operating in open traffic with ticketed passengers in Stavanger, Norway. Recently, it expanded its existing route to include a tunnel, successfully passing its challenging test as the first autonomous vehicle to go through a tunnel. Following operations in the USA, Norway, France, Romania, Finland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Turkey, Karsan is now set to implement autonomous projects with the Autonomous e-ATAK in Sweden, continuing to maintain its status as the world's first and only level-4 autonomous bus that carries passengers in open traffic.

Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK is always ready for service! Equipped with an Advanced Sensor Package, the Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK uses a combination of LiDAR, Radar, RGB Cameras, GNSS, and state-of-the-art sensors that work together to provide precise navigation and situational awareness in various weather conditions. Capable of autonomous driving at speeds of up to 40 km/h in all weather conditions, the vehicle autonomously performs all operations typically undertaken by a bus driver, such as approaching stops, managing boarding and alighting processes, and controlling traffic at intersections and traffic lights. The 8.3-meter-long Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK stands out as a sustainable, high-capacity transit solution that can effectively meet the urban transport demands of Gothenburg. The vehicle's ability to be fully charged in 5 hours with AC units and in 3 hours with DC units ensures its continuous readiness for service.