The SBB, Aargau, and Zurich project begins its mapping phase: Smart cars will connect local centers with an on-demand service.

August 18, 2025, marks a significant milestone in Switzerland's experimentation with future mobility: in the Furttal, a valley located between the cantons of Zurich and Aargau, the first electric vehicles equipped with autonomous driving technology have begun operating. These aren't yet driverless journeys, but rather the digital mapping phase envisioned by the "iamo – Intelligent Automated Mobility" project, promoted by the Swiss Transit Lab (STL) together with the SBB and the two cantonal governments.

The goal is clear: to understand how autonomous vehicles can complement existing public transport, reducing traffic, cutting emissions, and offering new solutions for the so-called "first and last mile." The program isn't born out of nowhere: Switzerland, with its tradition of punctuality and innovation in transportation, aims to become an international benchmark for smart mobility.

A more detailed digital map of the real territory

In the initial phase, the two electric Nissan Ariyas, equipped with WeRide's automation systems, drive several times along the region's roads. LiDAR sensors, cameras, and GPS collect data on road signs, lane widths, traffic lights, sidewalks, and even curb heights. This mapping work produces a digital model that is far more detailed than standard navigation maps, essential for ensuring safe autonomous driving.

The route covers both the Zurich municipalities of Furttal, such as Otelfingen and Regensdorf, and the Aargau towns of Würenlos and Killwangen. Subsequently, once the regulatory exemption is granted by ASTRA (Federal Roads Office), the training phase will begin, during which the vehicles will learn to react to real-world situations. This will be followed by the test phase. During this phase, they will begin to travel in autonomous mode, with a safety driver on board.

Supervision will be ensured by a remote control center located at Eurobus in Regensdorf, which will constantly monitor the vehicles and be able to intervene if necessary.

A true on-demand service for citizens from 2026

The project's timetable calls for the public to finally be able to experience the service by the first half of 2026. Up to four vehicles can be ordered via an app and used for door-to-door connections between predefined stops. This will not yet be a replacement for traditional public transport, but rather a complement, designed to meet the needs of flexible schedules and targeted travel.

The plan also includes the gradual expansion of the fleet, with the introduction of autonomous minibuses capable of carrying more passengers. This will be a crucial test of social acceptance, economic sustainability, and the real utility of the service in everyday life.

Truly top-notch investments and project partners

The success of the iamo project is based on a complex network of investors and public and private stakeholders. The Canton of Zurich has provided 3,8 million francs; the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) is contributing 2026 million francs annually for five years; starting in 1,9, the Canton of Aargau will contribute an additional XNUMX million francs. Operational contributions from local operators and technology partners are also included.

Among these are WeRide, already active in the United States, China, and Singapore; ioki, the Deutsche Bahn Group's platform for on-demand transportation; and Amazon Web Services, which will provide the cloud infrastructure for data management. The governance model is designed to combine public expertise and industrial know-how, combining Swiss precision with international experience.

Attention to the sensitive issue of data protection

A key aspect is data processing. Autonomous vehicles collect enormous amounts of data, requiring robust safeguards. The project has established contractual clauses with suppliers, independent audits, and a strict separation of vehicle and user data. All sensitive information will be stored in a dedicated Swiss cloud, ensuring full compliance with national regulations.

The Canton of Zurich's Data Protection Commissioner is closely monitoring the project's progress, while external experts are providing technical and legal advice. In this way, Furttal is becoming not only a mobility laboratory but also a testing ground for data governance models.

Experts' voice: a controlled step forward

As emphasized Jürg Röthlisberger, director of ASTRA,

Switzerland has a safe and well-regulated infrastructure that offers optimal conditions for the development of automated mobility. However, it is essential that each phase be gradual, transparent, and open to dialogue with the population.

His words are accompanied by the analysis of Nicolas Morael, Director of Autonomous Mobility at Transdev, who highlights how the real challenge is not so much the technology but its integration:

"An autonomous vehicle works, but the system must be accepted and useful. Innovation must demonstrate that it is more than a prototype: it must bring value to citizens."

The Swiss Transit Lab and experimental continuity

The iamo project didn't emerge in a vacuum. The Swiss Transit Lab, active since 2019, has already carried out other pilot initiatives. In Schaffhausen, for example, Line 2023 with autonomous minibuses was tested in 13; years earlier, between 2018 and 2019, Line 12 in Neuhausen was tested. These experiments allowed us to gain concrete experience, improving safety and operational management.

With the Furttal, the STL is taking a further step, aiming for a stable infrastructure that is not limited to isolated demonstrations but becomes an integral part of the cantonal mobility system.

Switzerland: A European Model for Innovation in Transport

The path taken in Furttal is part of a broader framework: the Swiss Confederation intends to play a leading role in transforming the sector. This involves not just local tests, but a national strategy that connects rail, road transport, and urban solutions.

While in countries like the United States and China, autonomous driving projects often take the form of private initiatives, Switzerland is experimenting with an institutional approach, closely linked to public transport. This could become a model for Europe as well, where multimodal integration is a priority.

Towards 2026: An innovative future is already under construction

2026 is not far off, and Furttal is preparing to become a benchmark for understanding how buses, trains, and autonomous vehicles will coexist. The iamo experiment will be evaluated based on criteria of safety, sustainability, utility for citizens, and economic feasibility. If successful, it could inspire new projects in other Swiss regions, helping to define the mobility of tomorrow.

In an age of urban congestion and climate change, the image of a self-driving electric car through the villages of Furttal represents much more than a technological test: it is tangible proof that innovation, if managed intelligently, can become a public service.

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