Otokar autonomous e-Centro bus to undergo testing in Austria

Otokar and ÖBB Postbus have partnered to test the autonomous e-Centro, a fully electric bus featuring Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities, in Austria. The pilot program is scheduled to take place between August 24 and September 4, 2026, as part of the European Forum Alpbach.

Following the initial testing phase, the vehicle will be deployed for regular transit services in the Wolfurt industrial area to support S-Bahn connections. While the Level 4 technology allows the vehicle to perform driving tasks independently within defined areas, Austrian regulations currently require a trained safety driver to remain on board during these tests.

The e-Centro is a 6.6-meter electric bus with a 32-passenger capacity, powered by a 140 kW motor and a 110 kWh NMC battery providing a range of approximately 200 km. It features advanced sensor suites including lidar, cameras, and GNSS to manage lane keeping, obstacle avoidance, and intersection navigation. Austrian Minister Peter Hanke noted that autonomous vehicles represent a significant opportunity for the country to enhance transport efficiency and maintain its status as an innovation hub.