Otokar autonomous e-Centro bus to be piloted in Austria

Austrian public transport operator ÖBB Postbus has selected Otokar to pilot the e-Centro, a fully electric and SAE Level 4 autonomous bus. The vehicle was officially introduced during a press conference in Vienna.

The pilot program is scheduled to begin during the European Forum Alpbach 2026, running from August 24 to September 4. While the technology allows for autonomous driving within defined areas, current Austrian legislation requires a trained safety driver to remain on board during the testing phase.

Following the initial pilot, ÖBB Postbus plans to deploy the bus for regular scheduled services at the Wolfurt Campus. The goal is to provide a connection between companies at the industrial park and the S-Bahn rail network. The e-Centro is designed for up to 32 passengers and features a low-floor layout with wheelchair accessibility. The project aims to explore the potential of autonomous mobility for regional services and first-and-last-mile connections.