Germany - Active

Deutsche Bahn (DB Regio) / RMV - KIRA

Deutsche Bahn with the RMV transport association runs the KIRA autonomous on-demand shuttle trial in Darmstadt and the Offenbach district (test operation since June 2024, safety driver on board, project runs to end of 2026). The follow-up KIRA+ project, announced September 2026, will use HOLON urban shuttles, with mapping drives in 2027.

Headquarters
not published
Parent
Deutsche Bahn
Backers and partners
RMV (Rhine-Main Transport Association), Mobileye (technology), German federal funding (BMDV, BMFTR), State of Hesse
Founded
not published
Vehicles
KIRA shuttles with Mobileye Drive (model not stated on opened pages), HOLON urban (KIRA+, planned)
Technology
KIRA used Mobileye's self-driving hardware and software with a KBA Level 4 test permit, safety driver behind the wheel and technical supervision staff monitoring.
Website
ioki.com

Cities

Darmstadt - Testing with safety driverDarmstadt

Timeline

  1. Darmstadt: Testing with safety driver - Test operation started with KBA Level 4 test permit, safety driver behind the wheel, no passengers at start source

Announced

  • Announcement Darmstadt: KIRA runs until end of 2026; follow-up KIRA+ with HOLON urban shuttles, mapping drives during 2027, safety personnel always present Announced . source
Profile sources (2)
  1. KIRA starts with autonomous vehicles for public transport - ioki, 25 Jun 2024
  2. KIRA+: New project for autonomous driving in public transport launches in the Rhine-Main region - DLR, 30 Sep 2026

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