Karsan’s Autonomous e-ATAK bus was recently demonstrated in Leganés, Madrid, providing residents with an opportunity to experience autonomous public transportation.
The vehicle operated for a week on a designated 2.3-kilometre route in open traffic conditions, including during periods of heavy rain. According to Karsan, the test was met with significant interest from the public and received positive feedback from city officials.
Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK is the world’s first Level-4 autonomous bus to transport ticketed passengers in open traffic. During the week-long trial, the bus successfully navigated its route using a combination of LiDAR, Radar, RGB cameras, GNSS, and other advanced sensors, ensuring seamless integration into urban traffic.
The initiative was supported by local government representatives, including Jorge Luis Rodrigo, Regional Minister of Transport for the Community of Madrid, and Miguel Ángel Recuenco, Mayor of Leganés.
Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK has already operated in several countries, including Norway and Finland, where it has been carrying ticketed passengers in open traffic. The bus has also been tested in the United States at Michigan State University. Karsan plans further deployments in Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Sweden by mid-2025.
The e-ATAK is an 8.3-metre fully electric bus capable of autonomous operation at speeds of up to 40 km/h under various weather conditions. It can manage passenger boarding and alighting, traffic signals, and intersections without human intervention.
The vehicle’s battery can be fully charged in five hours using AC charging or three hours with DC fast charging, making it suitable for continuous urban service.
