Karsan is introducing its autonomous technology to Switzerland with the launch of the country’s first autonomous public transport vehicle, the Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK, which will begin operating this autumn under Arbon’s public transport operator, Eurobus Ostschweiz AG.
According to the company, the Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK will operate along a 2.5-kilometer route with nine stops, connecting Arbon’s historic city center to the new Saurer Werk 2 district at a maximum speed of 30 km/h. The vehicle was officially handed over to The Technical Association of Arbon (TGA) in a ceremony at which Turkish Consul General in Zurich Fazlı Çorman, Thurgau Canton Minister Urs Martin, Arbon Mayor Rene Walther, Karsan CEO Okan Baş, ADASTEC CEO Dr. Ali Ufuk Peker, and other officials were present. Members of the press from Switzerland and across Europe attended, and the event concluded with a live autonomous driving demonstration.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Consul General Çorman said Karsan has equipped its electric buses with ADASTEC’s autonomous driving software, deploying them in 12 countries since their first European application in Stavanger, Norway, in 2021. He highlighted the significance of Switzerland’s rigorous procurement standards and praised the collaboration between Karsan and ADASTEC as “a strong example of how autonomous buses can operate safely and reliably in complex urban environments.”
Karsan CEO Okan Baş said:
“With the Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK, we continue to achieve firsts. Following our project at Rotterdam Airport, we are now marking another milestone in Arbon. This national pilot project shows that autonomous mobility is no longer the future—it’s a tangible transportation solution for today.”
Baş added that the project aligns perfectly with the region’s “green energy” vision and revealed that in the second phase, the company aims to implement teleoperation technology approximately one year after launch.
ADASTEC CEO Dr. Ali Ufuk Peker described the project as “a vision come to life,” demonstrating how safe, accessible, and sustainable public transport can adapt to a city’s unique character while connecting communities on a broader scale.
“Every journey here is more than just a trip—it’s opening the door to a future that brings communities closer across borders, cultures, and generations,” Peker said.
Source: Anadolu Ajansı/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök