Could Robotaxis be the future of Swiss public transport?

Switzerland is testing the future of public transport in the eastern canton of St Gallen, where a fleet of autonomous electric vehicles powered by Chinese technology is being prepared to carry passengers on public roads. 

The project, called AmiGo, is led by Swiss Post's public transport operator PostAuto and uses autonomous driving technology supplied by Chinese company Baidu.

The initiative aims to improve mobility in areas where traditional public transport is less practical while encouraging more people to leave their private cars at home. 

The electric vehicles, known as Apollo RT6 robotaxis, are Baidu's sixth-generation Level 4 autonomous vehicles.

Equipped with 38 cameras, radars and other sensors, they continuously monitor traffic, pedestrians and cyclists while travelling along pre-approved routes.

The technology enables the vehicles to perceive their surroundings in 360 degrees, creating a detailed three-dimensional view of the road environment. 

Baidu provides both the vehicles and the automated driving system, while Swiss Post oversees the project and manages day-to-day operations in collaboration with local authorities and other partners.

"We were very careful in selecting the right partner for this very important project for us," said Franziska Schär, AmiGo project manager.

"It's important for us to work with a partner who has proven experience in operating large fleets. We evaluated suppliers from around the world, and with Baidu we chose the supplier to work with."

According to Schär, the two teams work closely together, with Baidu engineers collaborating on-site in Switzerland to support operations and help adapt the technology to local conditions.

The pilot currently operates five vehicles with safety drivers behind the wheel.

Although the autonomous system controls the vehicle, the drivers remain ready to take over if necessary while also helping train the artificial intelligence by providing feedback on situations encountered during testing.

"The technology comes directly from Baidu, and we work closely together on all technology topics," said Marc Rüeder, head of AmiGo Operations.

"The vehicles use cameras, lidar and other sensors positioned around the car, giving them a 360-degree understanding of their surroundings."

Rüeder said the project has not experienced any critical safety incidents during testing. 

While safety drivers occasionally intervene, these takeovers provide valuable data that helps engineers further improve the autonomous driving system.

The project received federal approval to activate its Level 4 autonomous system just weeks ago.

Developers hope to remove the safety drivers and begin carrying passengers during 2027, before gradually expanding the fleet from five to 25 vehicles.