Automated Bus Service at Istanbul Technical University Campus
In September 2023, Istanbul Technical University (ITU) became home to Türkiye’s first SAE Level-4 automated bus operating on an open public route within a university campus. The Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK, automated by ADASTEC, showcases the ability of flowride.ai, ADASTEC’s advanced automated driving software platform, to safely and intelligently manage passenger transport in dynamic, mixed-traffic environments.
The Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK operates throughout the day between four designated stops across the ITU campus. Although situated within university grounds, the route is fully open to traffic and includes typical urban elements such as intersections, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, bike lanes, and mixed road users like delivery robots. These conditions offer a challenging yet real-world setting for demonstrating the performance and precision of ADASTEC’s software-defined automation system.
flowride.ai enables the Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK to navigate the campus safely and autonomously, responding in real time to its surroundings. Its capability to handle stop-and-go conditions, vulnerable road users, and complex interactions ensures a reliable service regardless of changing campus traffic patterns. The automated bus consistently delivers smooth operations throughout the day, providing a dependable alternative to traditional campus transport.
This university deployment is more than a public transportation solution, it also serves as a living lab for ongoing research and development. ADASTEC continues to explore new capabilities on this route, including integration with 5G communication infrastructure through collaborative projects with technology providers such as Turkcell and Ericsson.
The service is open to all ITU students, faculty, and visitors, offering a safe, efficient, and accessible mobility option across the campus. Approved by the Turkish Standards Institution, the Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK, automated by ADASTEC service is authorized to carry passengers on the open public road segment of the university route.
This deployment highlights Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK’s unique ability to operate in mixed-use environments and reflects the adaptability of ADASTEC’s flowride.ai in campus-scale applications. Istanbul Technical University’s operation reinforces the role of automated public transportation in shaping smarter, research-driven mobility ecosystems.