KIRA+ Project Tests Autonomous Public Transit in Germany

The Rhine-Main transport association (RMV), Deutsche Bahn (DB), and HOLON have launched the KIRA+ project to test autonomous driving in public transportation across the Rhine-Main region of Germany. The project builds on the earlier KIRA initiative and will examine how self-driving vehicles can operate on public roads while supporting on-demand transit services. Initial mapping drives are planned for 2027 in parts of Darmstadt and the District of Offenbach. The program will use the barrier-free HOLON urban, which is equipped with Mobileye autonomous driving technology and will operate with trained safety operators onboard during testing.

Autonomous Vehicle Testing in the Rhine-Main Region

During the trials, the HOLON urban will provide five passenger seats and one dedicated wheelchair space. The configuration is intended to support barrier-free public transportation testing while operators evaluate how an autonomous vehicle performs in real-world transit conditions. The project will focus on self-driving vehicle operations as well as the practical processes needed to manage passenger trips. The planned activities also mark the third German region in which the HOLON urban will operate on public roads, extending the vehicle's testing footprint beyond earlier deployments.

On-Demand Booking and Ride Pooling

A key part of the project will be the evaluation of on-demand booking workflows through ioki GmbH's app. The application coordinates ride requests and intelligently pools them during route planning, allowing the project team to examine how autonomous vehicles can be integrated with demand-responsive public transportation. This combination of vehicle automation and digital trip coordination is intended to provide findings on both the driving operation and the passenger-service process. The testing will therefore address more than vehicle technology alone, covering how rides are requested, grouped, and managed within an autonomous transit service.

MILA.mobility Integration and Operational Oversight

The initiative also functions as a test field within the Middleware Integration of Control Room and Dispatch Systems for Autonomous Mobility (MILA.mobility) project, which is funded by BMFTR. This connection places the vehicle trials within a broader effort to examine how autonomous mobility can interact with control-room and dispatch systems. The work is intended to help prepare a model region for autonomous public transportation and generate additional findings for the future use of autonomous vehicles in regular transit. It also includes consideration of operational routines for Technical Oversight as the technology moves toward broader deployment.

2027 Mapping Drives in Darmstadt and Offenbach

The planned 2027 mapping drives in Darmstadt and the District of Offenbach will provide an early step toward evaluating autonomous public transportation in the Rhine-Main region. The project partners will be able to assess vehicle operation, passenger booking, route coordination, system integration, and oversight requirements within a connected test environment. These findings are expected to inform future planning for regular autonomous transit services while keeping trained safety operators involved during the testing phase. The broader objective is to build practical knowledge that can support the transition from controlled trials toward operational models for autonomous public transportation.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The initiative could provide practical evidence for how autonomous vehicles, digital booking platforms, and transit control systems can operate together in public transportation. For transit authorities, technology providers, and operators, the results may clarify operational requirements before autonomous services are introduced more broadly. The planned activity in Darmstadt and the District of Offenbach also expands the geographic testing base for autonomous transit in Germany. Further progress will depend on findings from the vehicle trials, booking workflows, system integration, and Technical Oversight procedures developed during the project.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the KIRA+ project testing?
The KIRA+ project is testing autonomous public transportation in the Rhine-Main region, with initial mapping drives planned for 2027 in parts of Darmstadt and the District of Offenbach. The trials use the barrier-free HOLON urban with Mobileye autonomous driving technology and trained safety operators onboard. The project also evaluates on-demand booking through ioki GmbH's app, including ride-request coordination and pooling during route planning. Its findings are intended to support future autonomous transit deployment and operational routines for Technical Oversight.