Barcelona Introduces Self-Driving Mini-Bus for Public Testing
Barcelona is taking a step into the future of public transport with the introduction of a self-driving mini-bus. This week, residents and visitors had the opportunity to ride the driverless vehicle for free as part of a trial program. The electric bus operates without a human driver, smoothly navigating the city streets, stopping at designated locations, braking when necessary, and changing lanes independently.
The autonomous mini-bus, developed by French carmaker Renault in collaboration with self-driving technology company WeRide, is being tested on a 2.2-kilometer route with four stops in the heart of Barcelona. The goal of the project is to demonstrate the potential of driverless public transport in urban environments. The bus was first introduced at the French Open and is also undergoing trials in Valence, France, and Zurich Airport.
Many curious commuters have stepped aboard to experience the new technology. One of them, 18-year-old Pau Cugat, shared his excitement: “I saw a traditional diesel bus ahead of us and thought, ‘That’s the past, and this is the future.’” His reaction reflects the growing interest in autonomous transportation worldwide.
Europe’s Slow Progress in Autonomous Transport
While cities like San Francisco and Tokyo are making significant advancements in self-driving taxis and buses, Europe has been relatively slow in adopting the technology. Renault aims to change that by proving that autonomous public transport can work in European cities.
“The U.S. and China are aggressively pushing forward with autonomous vehicle testing,” said Patrick Vergelas, head of Renault’s self-driving mobility division. “In Europe, we haven’t seen as many initiatives, which is why we want to showcase this technology and prepare for the future of urban transport.”
Technology Behind the Self-Driving Bus
The electric mini-bus is designed to operate efficiently on busy city streets. It can travel up to 120 kilometers on a single charge and reach speeds of 40 km/h. Equipped with 10 high-resolution cameras and eight lidar sensors, the bus continuously scans its surroundings, detecting vehicles, pedestrians, and other obstacles to ensure a safe ride.
According to Carlos Santos from Renault’s autonomous driving team, public reactions to the bus have varied. “Some passengers are excited, taking pictures and videos, while others are a bit nervous. A few even try to open the doors mid-ride, but the system ensures that everything remains safe.”
Safety and Future Potential
Barcelona’s city officials have confirmed that no accidents were reported during the trial, indicating that the technology is functioning as expected. If successful, this project could pave the way for a larger rollout of autonomous public transport in European cities.
As self-driving technology evolves, more cities may explore similar solutions to reduce traffic congestion, cut carbon emissions, and improve public transport efficiency. The Barcelona trial serves as an important test case, bringing Europe one step closer to embracing the future of driverless mobility.
