MAN tests automated electric bus for Munich pilot

MAN and ADASTEC prepare an automated electric bus for pilot use in Munich. Testing begins in 2026 with MVG as part of the MINGA mobility project.

MAN has brought a fully electric city bus with automated driving capabilities to the brink of real-world operation, with plans to introduce it on Munich’s streets as early as autumn 2026. The vehicle is a Lion’s City 12 E equipped with an Automated Driving System developed together with ADASTEC and integrated directly into the bus architecture.

The bus is already capable of steering, accelerating, braking, and signaling independently. Its perception system combines five LiDAR sensors, six radars, eight cameras, and satellite navigation. At the moment, testing is taking place on MAN’s premises, where engineers are focusing on specific scenarios such as approaching bus stops and handling typical urban maneuvers.

The next phase will move the vehicle into real city traffic. Initial runs on Munich’s public roads will be conducted without passengers to validate system performance under real conditions. After that, MVG plans to launch a pilot operation with a closed group of users. A safety driver will remain on board to monitor the system throughout the trials.

This effort is part of the broader MINGA project, launched in 2023 and involving 16 partners from public authorities, research institutions, and industry. In addition to autonomous buses, the initiative explores ridepooling services and bus platoons operating in coordinated formations. The goal is to integrate automated mobility into the existing transport network while assessing technology, regulation, cost efficiency, and operational viability. The project is funded with approximately €13 million through 2027.

The push toward automation is closely tied to structural challenges in public transport. Automated buses are seen as a way to improve efficiency and flexibility while helping address driver shortages. There is also an expectation that such systems could contribute to reducing traffic accidents and increasing overall road safety.

MAN views the Munich trials as a step toward a larger objective: deploying fully automated Level 4 buses in the next decade. The data gathered during these tests is expected to directly shape the development of future vehicle generations.