Fraunhofer Institute for Transportation and Infrastructure Systems IVI
The official launch of the SIAS-ÖV project took place on March 23, 2026, in Leipzig with the ceremonial presentation of the grant notification by Minister of State Dirk Panter, followed by a kick-off event at Fraunhofer IVI on April 1. The "Saxon Initiative: Automated Shuttles in Public Transport" (Sächsische Initiative: Automatisierte Shuttle im ÖPNV) aims to significantly advance autonomous public transportation in the Free State of Saxony.
The Free State of Saxony and the European Commission are providing approximately 9.5 million euros in funding for this ambitious project. Saxony is thus positioning itself as one of Germany’s model regions for autonomous public transportation.
Demographic change calls for new mobility solutions
Public transit faces major challenges: A shortage of skilled workers, rising operating costs, and demographic changes call for innovative solutions. In rural areas and during off-peak hours Especially, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain comprehensive service coverage. Here, automated shuttles can fill an important gap and create new mobility options for all segments of the population.
Combined expertise for safe integration
In the SIAS-ÖV project, a strong consortium of industry and academia is working to safely and reliably integrate driverless shuttle buses from industrial manufacturers into regular public transportation. The consortium is headed by Leipziger Verkehrsbetriebe (Leipzig public transport provider). The other partners, in addition to Fraunhofer IVI, are BitCtrl Systems, DEKRA, glts cotech, IAV, TU Dresden, and Yunex Traffic.
Fraunhofer IVI contributes its expertise in two key areas: First, the institute will develop and test V2X communication and digital infrastructure for safe, connected, and assisted driving. Second, it will develop safety concepts, monitoring systems, and standards for defining operational areas, as well as a reliable technical monitoring system for the automated shuttles.
Economic potential and sustainable jobs
"In Saxony, innovative partners are working on creating the mobility of the future," emphasized Minister of State Dirk Panter during the grant award ceremony. The project not only strengthens the competitiveness of the participating Saxon companies but also helps society adapt to demographic challenges. The economic potential for commercializing the project results is very high—the goal is to create and secure sustainable jobs in the long term.
Working together for tomorrow's mobility
Fraunhofer IVI thanks the Free State of Saxony for the trust placed in it and looks forward to close collaboration with all project partners. By joining forces, the consortium will lay the foundation for modern, accessible, and sustainable public transportation in Saxony, thereby setting standards for all of Germany.
The project is funded by the European Commission (ERDF Technology Funding 2021–2027), the Free State of Saxony through the Saxon State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labor, Energy, and Climate Protection, and the Sächsische Aufbaubank.
