The Potsdam transport authority, ViP, has partnered with Siemens on a research project to automate streetcars. Autonomous streetcars will be demonstrated in real traffic between September 18 and 21 on a 6km section.
The vehicle features multiple lidar, radar and camera sensors to monitor the environment and to read trackside signals and stop at streetcar stops. The project is currently just a research prototype, with no immediate plans for commercialization.
“By relying on the Siemens Tram Assistant collision warning system being used in, among other places, our Avenio M tram operating in Ulm, Germany, we have already reached series maturity an important milestone on the way to autonomous driving,” said Sabrina Soussan, CEO of Siemens Mobility.
“By making trains and infrastructure intelligent, we can guarantee availability and enhance safety in local and long-distance travel.”
By Illya Verpraet