Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK, automated by ADASTEC, in Passenger Service on Open Public Roads in Gothenburg
Sweden’s first SAE Level-4 automated bus service has officially launched on the streets of Gothenburg. The Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK, automated by ADASTEC’s flowride.ai automated driving software platform, is now in full public service, marking a milestone for safe, reliable, and sustainable automated mobility in Sweden.
Advanced Automated Mobility in Complex Urban Traffic
Operating along a 4-kilometer route (Line 169) between Gothenburg Central Station and Liseberg Station, the service includes seven designated stops: Polhemsplatsen A, Ullevi Norra D, Gårdatorget B, Lisebergs Station D, Gårdatorget A, Ullevi Norra C, and Polhemsplatsen B.
The route passes through the Gårda district, handling nine signalized intersections, tram lanes, roundabouts, pedestrian crossings, and lane changes at speeds up to 40 km/h. The bus performs precise docking at stations and fully automated navigation in mixed traffic, demonstrating ADASTEC’s maturity in real-world deployments.
The Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK is automated by ADASTEC’s SAE Level-4 automated driving software platform, flowride.ai, which combines perception, localization, and planning modules to make real-time decisions with high reliability. A comprehensive sensor suite, including LiDAR, radar, RGB cameras, and GNSS, continuously captures and fuses environmental and infrastructure data to enable accurate navigation in dynamic urban conditions. The system’s predictive algorithms anticipate the behavior of pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles, while the planning module generates safe, smooth trajectories for the vehicle, ensuring passenger comfort and operational safety.
The vehicle is equipped with V2X communication capabilities for potential future integration with city infrastructure, enhancing situational awareness and supporting smart city initiatives. Teleoperation support is available through a dedicated control center operated by Vy Buss, allowing authorized operators to remotely intervene in rare cases such as unexpected obstacles or deviations from the planned route. This additional layer of oversight reinforces operational reliability and passenger safety.
The Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK is fully wheelchair-accessible, providing seating for 19 passengers plus two additional seats, and designed for year-round service. By operating inGothenburg’s complex urban landscape, including mixed traffic, narrow lanes, and signalized intersections, this deployment highlights ADASTEC’s technical expertise and the scalability of its automated driving platform. Mid-September 2025 marks the start of regular operations, demonstrating how Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK with ADASTEC’s automated driving technology turns advanced automation into a safe, sustainable, and inclusive public transportation service for communities worldwide.
Timetable and Passenger Operations
Passenger service operates Monday to Friday with frequent trips throughout the day. Key departure times include:
- Morning Service (Direction 1 – Central Station to Liseberg)
- Polhemsplatsen: 08:16, 08:40, 09:20, 10:00, 10:40, 11:20
- Gårdatorget: 08:22, 08:46, 09:25, 10:05, 10:45, 11:25
- Liseberg Station: 08:24, 08:48, 09:27, 10:07, 10:47, 11:27
- Afternoon Service (Direction 1 – Central Station to Liseberg)
- Polhemsplatsen: 13:00, 13:40, 14:20, 15:17
- Gårdatorget: 13:05, 13:45, 14:25, 15:23
- Liseberg Station: 13:07, 13:47, 14:27, 15:25
This schedule provides reliable automated and zero-emission public transportation service connecting Gothenburg’s busiest transport hubs.
Collaboration and Vision
The project is led by Västtrafik, supported by Trafikverket (Swedish Transport Administration), and operated by Vy Buss in partnership with the City of Gothenburg. With proven resilience in Sweden’s weather and integration into Gothenburg’s transport network, the Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK sets a new benchmark for urban automated public transportation in Europe.