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VHH launches autonomous on-demand service emoin in Hamburg

The Mayor of Hamburg views the recently launched autonomous shuttle service with a third-generation EasyMile EZ10 as a flagship project, an alternative to cars according to the Transport Senator. The digitally controlled S-Bahn is also set to start in October.

Grand reception for the small robo-bus (left to right): Andree Hohm (Continental), Ulf von Krenski (Acting Head of the Bergedorf District Office), Sarah Kern (EasyMile), Peter Tschentscher (First Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg), Anjes Tjarks (Senator for Transport and Mobility Transition of the FHH), Toralf Müller (Managing Director of Verkehrsbetriebe Hamburg-Holstein). | Photo: VHH
Grand reception for the small robo-bus (left to right): Andree Hohm (Continental), Ulf von Krenski (Acting Head of the Bergedorf District Office), Sarah Kern (EasyMile), Peter Tschentscher (First Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg), Anjes Tjarks (Senator for Transport and Mobility Transition of the FHH), Toralf Müller (Managing Director of Verkehrsbetriebe Hamburg-Holstein). | Photo: VHH
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Johannes Reichel

Hamburg's first autonomous on-demand transportation service was launched today in the Bergedorf mansion district. Starting Tuesday, passengers can book their rides for free via the emoin app. The research project is part of RealLabHH. Verkehrsbetriebe Hamburg-Holstein GmbH (VHH) is bringing emoin to the streets in collaboration with Continental, the German Aerospace Center, the testing company Dekra Automobil GmbH, and the technology company EasyMile. In the presence of Hamburg's First Mayor Peter Tschentscher, Hamburg's Senator for Transport and Mobility Shift Anjes Tjarks, and Bergedorf's acting district manager Ulf von Krenski, the project partners officially put the three self-driving shuttles into operation today. The minibuses are intended to close the gap on the "first and last mile" between the residential areas and the nearest public transport stops. For the first time, self-driving shuttles will be operating on-demand in Hamburg. The battery-powered shuttles can be booked free of charge via the app or by phone daily from 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM until October 31, 2021.

DLR provides the software

The Institute of Transportation Systems Engineering at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) provides the software for dispatching the demand-driven shuttles. Unlike scheduled services, there are virtual stops and no fixed timetables. The DLR algorithm coordinates the minibuses. If a vehicle is not needed, it waits at the Bergedorf central bus station. This avoids empty trips and makes the operation more efficient. Additionally, the DLR researches the user-friendliness of the emoin service alongside the test operation. Bergedorf mansion district as the ideal testing ground. The emoin service area extends from the Bergedorf central bus station along Reinbeker Weg to Daniel-Hinsche-Straße. The road conditions in the Bergedorf mansion district offer optimal conditions for the shuttle fleet with several project-specific criteria such as road quality, consistent 30 km/h speed limit, parked cars, and inclines. The vehicles operate at a maximum speed of 18 km/h. High-resolution radar sensors detect obstacles. The technology company Continental enhances the existing sensors of the driverless shuttles with additional radar sensors. Additionally, 3D flash laser sensors from the company are installed, which can capture entire traffic scenarios and precisely identify the vehicle's surroundings.

Third generation of EasyMile EZ10 launched

The highly automated electric vehicles used in this project are from the EasyMile EZ10 third-generation type. The shuttle has already been deployed in over 30 countries worldwide and is barrier-free thanks to an automatic boarding ramp. The four-meter-long and approximately two-ton minibuses can accommodate up to five passengers in this project. Since, according to current legislation, the shuttles are not allowed to operate driverlessly, an attendant is on board to intervene in the traffic situation at any time, assures the operator. The vehicles have also been technically inspected by experts from the Dekra Technology Center. In the research project, experiences are now being gathered in the operation of self-driving vehicles in a real-world lab.

Bringing the mobility shift to the city

Hamburg's First Mayor Peter Tschentscher points out that, aside from the flagship project emoin, the first digitally controlled S-Bahn will commence operations on the S21 line from October. "These are powerful impulses from Hamburg for the development of future mobility, brought closer through the 'RealLab Hamburg' and the ITS World Congress," says Tschentscher. The e-shuttle demonstrates how the mobility shift can be successfully brought to the outer city areas, adds Hamburg's transport senator Anjes Tjarks. The autonomous minibus not only connects around 5,000 people in its service area to the public transport network on the first and last mile but also offers them a quickly and conveniently accessible connection to the S-Bahn station through over 50 virtual stops in the service area, thus connecting them to Bergedorf center and Hamburg city.

"It also represents a good alternative to private cars, saves the hassle of finding a parking spot, and is furthermore emission-free and quiet. This results in less traffic on Bergedorf's streets, better air quality, and enhanced living conditions," says Tjarks.

BU: Autonomous on-demand transportation launched in Bergedorf - from left to right: Dr. Andree Hohm (Continental), Ulf von Krenski (Acting Manager of the Bergedorf District Office), Sarah Kern (EasyMile), Dr. Peter Tschentscher (First Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg), Dr. Anjes Tjarks (Senator for Transport and Mobility Shift FHH), Toralf Müller (Managing Director of Verkehrsbetriebe Hamburg-Holstein).

Translated automatically from German.
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