Barcelona Launches Its First Driverless Bus with Passengers: A Step Towards the Future of Urban Mobility

Barcelona continues to position itself as a pioneering smart city. The city has now officially launched the first driverless bus in Barcelona, an autonomous electric minibus that will operate in real urban traffic conditions. The initiative demonstrates the city's ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainable transport solutions.

This bus has no steering wheel, pedals, or driver — but it does have passengers. Fully equipped with 12 high-precision cameras and radar systems, the vehicle can detect and respond to surrounding traffic, navigate intersections, and follow traffic signals without human intervention.

Test Route and Operation Hours

The autonomous bus ran from March 12 to March 14, between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM, offering free rides to anyone interested. The test route forms a two-kilometer circular loop through the heart of Barcelona, with four strategic stops:

• Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes with Rambla de Catalunya

• Rambla de Catalunya between València and Mallorca

• Carrer del Rosselló 261

• Passeig de Gràcia 55 between València and Aragó

How to Board the Bus

The bus seats up to six passengers. Boarding is simple: just show up at one of the designated stops and hop on if a seat is available. There’s no ticket or registration required.

Why This Driverless Bus in Barcelona Matters

This launch marks more than a test — it’s a glimpse into the future of urban mobility. Cities worldwide are experimenting with autonomous transport, but Barcelona now joins the few that are testing with real passengers in a live city environment.

Safety and Technology

Already tested  in countries such as China and the United States — and even at the 2024 Roland Garros event in Paris — this autonomous vehicle uses advanced AI and sensor fusion to guarantee safety and efficiency. The combination of LiDAR, radar, and computer vision allows for real-time analysis of road conditions and obstacle avoidance.

A Strategic Urban Vision

Jaume Collboni, Mayor of Barcelona, described the city as a “test city” during the official launch. According to him, initiatives like these reinforce Barcelona’s global reputation as a leading smart city, open to testing innovative and sustainable technologies that can be scaled in the future.

The Future of Autonomous Public Transport

Potential Impacts on Urban Life

The successful integration of autonomous vehicles into public transport could drastically reduce traffic congestion, increase accessibility, and lower emissions. As these buses require less human intervention, they could also become more cost-effective for municipalities in the long term.

What's Next?

While this is a pilot project, its success could pave the way for larger deployments. If widely adopted, driverless buses in Barcelona could become a cornerstone of the city’s green and digital mobility strategy.

Conclusion

Barcelona's driverless bus is more than a tech novelty — it’s a symbol of how cities can evolve through innovation. Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, this is your chance to experience tomorrow’s transportation, today.

Explore how MTi can help you leverage these trends to revolutionize your city. Contact us here.