Autonomous Shuttle Service at Zurich Airport Achieves Level 3 Automation
Zurich Airport (ZRH) has taken a significant step forward in its autonomous shuttle pilot project, as remote cockpit testing begins without passengers on board. This new development marks another milestone in the collaboration between the project team, WeRide, and various airport departments.
The testing phase, which follows hundreds of test runs and comprehensive technical testing, is part of the overall goal to provide a safe and efficient transportation solution for employees at ZRH. If successful, the buses would be the first in Europe to operate such a system within the flight operations area of an airport.
Currently, the shuttle buses operate at automation level 3, with safety drivers in place. However, plans are to test remote monitoring in the near future, leading towards automation level 4, which would involve no safety drivers and only remote monitoring. A remote cockpit has been installed and tested at the ZRH Innovation Hub, with PIX Moving, a company specialising in autonomous vehicles and smart mobility solutions, significantly involved in the installation and testing of the remote control center.
The remote cockpit will allow for the monitoring of vehicles going forward. Employees can already ride the buses between Gate 101 head office and Gate 130 works yard at the airport. The autonomous shuttle pilot project at ZRH began in March 2025, and the next milestone is the transition to full autonomous operation with passengers on board.
Despite no specific timeline for the operation of the buses with passengers, the project team remains optimistic about the potential benefits this technology could bring to ZRH Airport and its employees. The testing phase without passengers is a new development in the autonomous shuttle pilot project at ZRH, and it's an exciting step towards the future of transportation at the airport.
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