ALIKE Project: Autonomous Ridepooling for Hamburg
In the ALIKE pilot project, MOIA is working with partners to develop a system for autonomous on-demand shuttles in Hamburg.
The ALIKE project is bringing larger fleets of autonomous shuttles to Hamburg’s streets for the first time: With its partners, MOIA is developing a modern, app-based system for autonomous ridepooling that complements the city’s existing public transit system of buses and trains, thus making an important contribution to realizing the urban mobility transition.
ALIKE seamlessly integrates fleets of different models of autonomously driving vehicles from two operators into a joint ridepooling service. This cooperation between private and public companies is what makes this project unique.
Germany’s Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) is making funding of 26 million euros available for ALIKE over a period of three years. With the project, Hamburg is providing a blueprint for implementation of the mobility transition in cities: autonomous ridepooling as a shared mobility offering for anyone seeking a flexible, sustainable means of urban transportation.
The goals of the ALIKE project:
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Testing of an autonomous on-demand service in actual operation as an addition to conventional public transit by bus and train
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Development of a scalable overall system that can also be adopted in other cities and regions
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Attainment of SAE automation level 4 (highly automated driving)
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Research of the acceptance of autonomous driving service in practice
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Project results are to establish the basis for subsequent commercialization and scaling of ridepooling services
Six partners pool their expertise
The ALIKE project brings together different project partners, each with particular strengths: For the first time, transit companies, ridepooling providers, vehicle manufacturers, and experts from the science and government sectors are cooperating to advance the development of autonomous ridepooling.
In the project, HOCHBAHN, Germany’s second-largest public transit company, is collaborating with MOIA. The two established mobility service providers have experience with autonomous vehicles, and each operates its own proven booking platform: the hvv switch app and the MOIA app, respectively.
ALIKE uses two vehicle models: the ID. Buzz AD from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and the Mover, made by HOLON, a subsidiary of BENTELER.
MOIA plays a dual role in the project: In addition to running the ID. Buzz AD fleet, it provides the operating and ridepooling software for both operators and both vehicle models, thus integrating all project components into a comprehensive service.
In the ALIKE project, the social acceptance of autonomous driving in public transportation is additionally being investigated and the mobility behavior of users is being modeled. Comprehensive information offerings as well as surveys are planned for this purpose. The findings will then be fed into the modeling to assess the impact of autonomous services using various scenarios.
The Institute for Transport Studies (IfV) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) provides scientific support for the project. The Authority for Traffic and Mobility Transition (BVM) plays a key role in the approval process. SAE automation level 4 (highly automated driving) is to be achieved and implemented within the ALIKE project.
Another associated partner is DRM Datenraum Mobilität GmbH. The company will support the consortium in defining a suitable use case for a European data space for the mobility sector (Mobility Data Space), to strengthen the sharing of data.
With ALIKE, Hamburg is creating a blueprint for the realization of the mobility transition in other cities
The ALIKE operating area
The operating area for ALIKE was chosen to ensure that the service achieves the highest possible visibility in central Hamburg and optimally complements the existing public transit system. The service area comprises a total of 37 square kilometers.
The vehicles: the Volkswagen ID. Buzz AD and the HOLON Mover
The ID. Buzz AD from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will be the manufacturer’s first autonomous series model and has already successfully completed its first tests on public streets. The compact vehicle is the ideal size for operating in metropolitan areas. It has good maneuverability and offers optimal space utilization for up to four persons.
In contrast, HOLON’s Mover is a shuttle for up to 15 passengers. It features barrier-free design, ensuring accessible use for all with an automatic ramp, a secure wheelchair space, and acoustic and visual support systems.
Both models are equipped with a self-driving system from the technology company Mobileye. The vehicles employ cameras, radars, and lidars for 360-degree environment recognition, as well as high-performance computers that convert the data into driving commands.
ALIKE Project information
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