MAN electric bus with ADASTEC’s Level-4 automation set for pilot operation in Munich
ADASTEC Corp., a leading software company specializing in SAE Level-4 automated driving solutions for public transit buses and commercial vehicles, today announced its automated driving software will be used on MAN Truck & Bus’s electric city bus as part of the MINGA research project in Munich. MAN, one of Europe's leading commercial vehicle manufacturers and providers of transport solutions and a pioneer in sustainable and electric mobility, brings its Lion’s City 12 E city bus to the collaboration.
The project brings together MAN’s fully electric Lion’s City 12 E bus with ADASTEC’s automated driving software platform to enable automated operations within the scope of the MINGA project. The integration allows the vehicle to operate in complex, real-world environments while meeting the operational requirements of modern transit systems.
Over the past months, MAN’s Lion’s City 12 E has been equipped with ADASTEC’s automated driving software and advanced sensor suite, fully integrated into the vehicle’s electronic architecture. Designed for real-world traffic conditions, the bus is capable of handling a wide range of urban driving scenarios, including lane keeping, precise bus stop docking, intersection management, roundabout navigation, obstacle detection and avoidance, and safe maneuvering in mixed traffic environments.
Dr. Ali Peker, CEO of ADASTEC, commented: “The collaboration with MAN Truck & Bus brings together deep vehicle engineering and bus manufacturing expertise with ADASTEC’s SAE Level-4 automated driving platform, proven in real-world operations. This partnership enables the integration of advanced automation into an electric bus platform and demonstrates how validated systems can operate safely and reliably in complex urban environments. The MINGA project establishes a strong foundation for the broader deployment of automated bus operations, supported by Germany’s well-established regulatory framework.”
Preparing for Real-World Operations in Munich
Testing activities are currently ongoing at MAN’s facilities, where driving scenarios are being validated and system performance is continuously refined. These efforts focus on ensuring safe, stable, and reliable operation ahead of deployment on Munich’s public transport network.
As part of the MINGA project, the automated bus is expected to begin operating on a designated route in the city, initially without passengers, followed by a phase involving a closed user group of test users. The project brings together public authorities, research institutions, and industry partners to explore how automated and connected mobility solutions can be integrated into existing transport systems. The project is being funded with approximately 13 million euros through mid-2027 by the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) under the funding guideline “Autonomous and Connected Driving in Public Transportation."
The vehicle is planned to operate ona designated line in the city of Munich. The automated bus will run as part of the active public transport service, operating between designated stops along the route. By operating on an already active line, the project demonstrates how automated vehicles can be integrated into real-world public transport operations.
Barbaros Oktay, Head of Bus at MAN Truck & Bus: “Together with our technology partner ADASTEC, we have successfully automated a MAN city bus for pilot operations in Munich. This marks another important step toward automated urban mobility. MINGA is an extremely important project for us. By deploying automated buses, MAN aims to make local public transportation more efficient, flexible, and sustainable in the future.”
A Strong Collaboration for Urban Mobility
The collaboration between ADASTEC and MAN reflects a shared focus on advancing practical and scalable automation in public transport. By combining a proven electric bus platform with SAE Level-4 automated driving software, the project demonstrates how automated technology can be applied under real-world urban conditions.
Atalay Taşkoparan, Chief Commercial Officer at ADASTEC, overseeing OEM relations, commented: “MAN’s OEM leadership is a strong commercial enabler for scaling SAE Level-4 automated mobility. Today, OEM commitment is critical for regulatory approval, operator confidence, and market adoption. Through the MINGA project, MAN shows how trusted vehicle engineering and SAE Level-4 automation can create a scalable path for urban mobility.”
Advancing Automated Mobility Through Real-World Collaboration
Through the MINGA project, ADASTEC and MAN are working together to bring automated driving into real-world public transportation. The collaboration reflects a shared focus on developing practical, scalable solutions that can be integrated into existing transit systems and support the evolving needs of urban mobility.