The first electric and autonomous bus is already running in Malaga. The testing phase has started on the route: the Levante dock - downtown and towards La Malagueta. For a month, from March 20, from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 14:00, citizens who wish will be able to test it in the city, by registering in advance on the EMT website.
Despite the fact that it is not necessary, the vehicle will always have a driver on command to control it in case of emergencies, as it is not yet legally allowed for a car not to have a driver at the wheel. In addition, at times, it will have to take control, as full full autonomy has not yet been implemented.
There is still no date for his entry into commercial service.
This project was started four years ago, although the tests were to be carried out in the middle of last year, but were interrupted by Covid. The aim is to serve cruise passengers arriving at the terminal so that they can quickly access the old town, although there are currently no tourists.
The Automost R&D project, as it is called, is funded by CDTI and aims to advance the automation of public transport, with a budget of nine million in a consortium of seven partners and various universities.
"The project enters the final phase with this live test on the streets of Malaga", commented Francisco de la Torre, mayor of Malaga, and stressed that, for the first time, the automation of a standard-sized passenger bus is being applied.