Karsan, a pioneer in the transformation of public transportation in Europe with new generation technologies, continues to introduce autonomous driving to major countries around the world. Karsan, which brings autonomous travel comfort to public transportation with its superior technologies, delivered its Autonomous e-ATAK model to Arbon, one of Switzerland’s historic cities at the lake of Constance. The Autonomous e-ATAK will also be Switzerland’s first autonomous full-size bus. Acquired by TGA for its SCCL (Self Controlled City Liner) project, the Autonomous e-ATAK, named ARTOUR, will begin service in Autumn operated by Eurobus Ostschweiz AG.
Members of the press took a test drive
Karsan Otonom e-ATAK, which will operate at a speed of max. 30 kilometers per hour on an 9-stop route covering 2.5 kilometers between the historic city center of Arbon, Switzerland, and the new residential area of Saurer Werk 2, was ceremoniously delivered to TGA, The Technical Association of Arbon.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of Canton Thurgau Urs Martin, Arbon Mayor René Walther, Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Zurich, Fazlı Çorman, Karsan CEO Okan Baş, ADASTEC CEO Dr. Ali Ufuk Peker, Federal Roads Office FEDRO Vice-Director Edwin Wieland, Federal Transport Office FOT scientist Barbara Zollinger along with project owner TGA, project partners City of Arbon and Eurobus Ostschweiz AG, SCCL (Self Controlled City Liner) project, many public transpor services and Karsan’s authorized sales partner in Switzerland, HCI.
At the end of the ceremony, which was also attended by esteemed media representatives from Switzerland and Europe, an autonomous driving demonstration was conducted with the vehicle. Karsan CEO Okan Baş, who pointed that they have launched a new era of comfortable and environmentally friendly transportation in Switzerland, said, “I would like to thank all our project partners, Swiss and Cantonal authorities, industry authorities, our business partner ADASTEC, and our authorized sales partner HCI in Switzerland for their support in bringing this important project to life flawlessly.” Referring to the real operational experience gained through 13 different projects implemented in 12 countries, Karsan CEO Okan Baş said, “We are committed to continuing to transform the world’s transportation infrastructure with our electric and autonomous vehicles, particularly in Europe, and to shaping the future of mobility.”
The vehicle will be operated remotely in the second part of the project
Karsan CEO Okan Baş stated that Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK will begin carrying passengers in Arbon this autumn and continued: “This project stands out for its direct contribution to sustainable energy, which is fully in line with the region’s ‘green energy’ vision. An important milestone is planned for the second part of the project. The vehicle will step for step be operated remotely via teleoperation technology. Infrastructure preparations are currently underway, and the teleoperation feature is expected to be implemented approximately one year after the launch. This represents an important step forward in the advancement of autonomous mobility. The world’s first full-size autonomous bus capable of carrying passengers and operating under real road conditions, the Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK, is now preparing to hit the roads in Switzerland, following its debut in the US, Norway, the Netherlands, Turkey, and Finland. Our vehicle’s design, suitable for the narrow streets of Arbon, promises passengers a comfortable and eco-friendly journey without disrupting the old-town atmosphere. The fact that our vehicle is a real bus used autonomously was a key factor in TGA choosing us.”
“What we are building here in Arbon is not just an automated bus on a route, it is a vision coming to life,” said Dr. Ali U. Peker, CEO of ADASTEC. “Together with Karsan, we are showing how safe, accessible, and sustainable public transportation can move people at scale while adapting to the unique character of a city. This is where global innovation meets local relevance, turning advanced mobility into a trusted part of daily life. Each journey here is not just a ride, it’s opening the way to a future where automated public transport connects communities across borders, cultures, and generations.”
“The challenges of the SCCL route in mixed traffic of downtown Arbon and the ending up of the project by full teleoperated service makes SCCL to one of the most advanced approaches in autonomous mobility worldwide” said Dr. Hansueli Bruderer, Project Manager SCCL of TGA.
Consistent high performance, day or night
Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK has numerous LiDAR sensors located in different parts of the vehicle. In addition, many innovative technologies such as advanced radar technology at the front and high-resolution image processing with RGB cameras are among the features of Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK. The Autonomous e-ATAK, which offers all these technologies at Level 4 Autonomy, can operate autonomous along a pre-planned route. The vehicle can reach speeds of 40 km/h in autonomous driving mode, day or night, in all weather conditions, and performs all the tasks of a bus driver, such as pulling up stops along the route, managing boarding and alighting processes, and controlling traffic lights at intersections and crossings, without a driver.
