Karsan Autonomous e-JEST, automated by ADASTEC: A New SAE Level-4 Automated Minibus,Ready for U.S. Roads
Orlando, Florida – November 6, 2025 – Karsan introduced the Autonomous e-JEST, an innovation automated by ADASTEC, a leading automated driving software company, through its SAE Level-4 automated driving software platform, flowride.ai, at the Florida Autonomous Vehicle (FAV) Summit in Orlando, Florida.
Following the successful global deployments of the Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK, the first SAE Level-4 full-size automated bus to operate on public roads and in mixed traffic in the United States in 2021, and later the first to operate in Europe in 2022, the vehicle continues to set new standards in automated public transportation. It has already covered more than 93,206 miles on open public roads and carried over 60,000 passengers across 12 countries under real-world conditions. These achievements underscore the maturity and scalability of ADASTEC’s Level-4 automated driving technology and the proven reliability of Karsan’s vehicle platform, now being applied to a new vehicle segment — Karsan’s Autonomous e-JEST.
“With more than 93,206 miles driven and over 60,000 passengers carried autonomously in open public roads, we have demonstrated what ADASTEC’s SAE Level-4 automated driving platform can deliver,” said Dr. Ali Peker, CEO of ADASTEC. “Now, with the Karsan Autonomous e-JEST, automated by ADASTEC, we are extending this proven expertise to new markets, new geographies, and new formats, making automated public transport more accessible than ever.”
Expanding Automated Public Transport Across the U.S.
The Karsan Autonomous e-JEST, automated by ADASTEC, brings SAE Level-4 automated driving to a 19-foot fully electric minibus platform. Compact yet powerful, the vehicle is engineered for safe, reliable operations on open public roads in mixed-traffic environments.
Featuring a low-floor, easy-entry design, an automatic wheelchair ramp, one wheelchair location, and seating for up to 12 passengers, it offers accessibility for all and comfort expected of modern urban transit.
Automated by ADASTEC’s flowride.ai platform and equipped with an advanced sensor suite, Karsan’s Autonomous e-JEST operates with full autonomy and no human intervention on open public roads. It confidently navigates complex and mixed-traffic environments while maintaining safe, consistent, and reliable performance in every condition. The vehicle operates day or night, rain or shine, and continues to deliver dependable service with proven real-world capability.
Its intelligent system architecture and robust performance make it a scalable and commercially ready solution for first-mile, last-mile, and on-demand services across the UnitedStates.
By extending ADASTEC’s proven SAE Level-4 automated driving technology to a smaller and more agile platform, the Autonomous e-JEST enables transit agencies and operators to modernize fleets, improve efficiency, and expand accessible public mobility.
Highlighting that Karsan’s second autonomous model, the Autonomous e-JEST, will soon become the rising star for cities in America and Europe transitioning to next-generation technology, Karsan CEO Okan Baş said: “Karsan Autonomous e-JEST combines 7 years of proven global success in electric mobility with 4 years of proven autonomous experience from the Autonomous e-ATAK. Introduced to North America in 2022, our e-JEST model quickly captured great attention and even earned the nickname ‘Cute Bus’ for its design and efficiency. Now, the newest version of this popular model the Autonomous e-JEST , enhanced with advanced autonomous driving technology is ready for the U.S. market. With this launch, the agile and efficient structure of e-JEST will merge with the autonomous capabilities already proven in the Autonomous e-ATAK, marking another milestone in our mission to stay one step ahead in the future of mobility.”
First U.S. Deployments Imminent
Building on this milestone launch, ADASTEC’s technology will soon enter service through confirmed deployments in Atlanta, Georgia, and Altamonte Springs, Florida. These deployments will be operated by Beep, Inc., ADASTEC’s service orchestrator partner and a leading provider of the AutonomOSTM AV mobility platform , utilizing Autonomous e-JEST vehicles supplied through Karsan’s North American distributor, Damera Corporation.
The deployments mark the first commercial use of the Karsan Autonomous e-JEST in the United States, demonstrating ADASTEC’s production-ready automated driving technology and operational maturity. In Atlanta, the Autonomous e-JEST will operate as the city’s first fixed-route shared AV service ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while in Altamonte Springs, the project will expand the CraneRIDES program, establishing the first permanent city-led AV transit service in the U.S.
Together, these initiatives reflect ADASTEC’s growing commercial momentum and the shared commitment of ADASTEC, Beep, Karsan, and Damera to deliver safe, scalable, and sustainable automated mobility solutions across the United States.
“This milestone represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of shared autonomous mobility across the U.S. and globally,” said Kevin Reid, CEO and Board Chair of Beep.“Through our collaboration with Karsan, Damera, and ADASTEC, we’ve delivered a proven, automotive-grade platform that’s scalable and ready to meet the demands of transportation operators seeking"
Already Altoona Tested, FMVSS & CMVSS & ADA Compliant !
The Karsan Autonomous e-JEST, automated by ADASTEC, Altoona tested, fully meets FMVSS, CMVSS, andADA requirements, confirming its readiness for public deployment in the United States.The vehicle is automated by ADASTEC’s flowride.ai SAE Level-4 automated driving platform, ensuring compliance, reliability, and safety under U.S. operating conditions. Its adaptability to American infrastructure and regulatory frameworks makes it a production-ready solution for real-world deployments nationwide. With over 10,000 units of the base JEST already produced, including more than 1,000 electric versions operating across Europe, North America, and Japan, this proven foundation enables the Autonomous e-JEST to deliver unmatched reliability, safety, and serviceability at scale.
Proven Technology, Now in New Product
The experience gained from the Karsan Autonomous e-Atak, operating day and night, in all weather, and through complex traffic scenarios on open public roads, directly informs the development of the e-JEST. Integrating ADASTEC’s flowride.ai, SAE Level-4 automated driving software platform with an advanced sensor suite of radar, LiDAR, GNSS, and camera, the Autonomous e-JEST is built to safely navigate crosswalks, bus stops, roundabouts, and mixed traffic is equipped to handle crosswalks, bus stops, roundabouts, mixed traffic, and more, bringing the same real-world readiness to a more compact class.
The Karsan Autonomous e-JEST, automated by ADASTEC, represents the launch of a new vehicle and the expansion of SAE Level-4 automated public transport into new markets and new possibilities. The road ahead is here, automated, connected, and ready to serve, operating on U.S. roads today.