November 8: press release of the COLUMBUSS autopilot

On Friday, 8 November, the COLUMBUSS autopilot was presented to the Dutch press and residents of the Provincie Groningen by Johan Hamster (Provincie Groningen), Cornelis Uijl (Qbuzz) and Jorrit Kuipers (robotTUNER). An old diesel regional bus from public transport company Qbuzz b.v. has been automated by robotTUNER so that it can drive without the help of a human driver.

The COLUMBUSS COnnected Level 5 UnManned BUSeS project is an international project that aims to increase the capacity of passenger and freight transport with the help of AI and robotics. We do not replace the human driver but make driving more kilometres at lower costs possible. First, at depots and if the technology is robust and safe on public roads. In 2025, drivers from Qbuzz and RET will extensively test the COLUMBUSS autopilot, and from 2026, we expect it to be able to be used for transporting people and goods in the Netherlands. COLUMBUSS uses the Autoware Foundation open-source autopilot software.

In the afternoon, Minister of Education Bruins activated the autopilot of the COLUMBUSS bus and launched the Garage of the Future.

The COLUMBUSS project is an initiative of robotTUNER, the Province of Groningen and the Metropoolregio Rotterdam Den Haag (MRDH). The COLUMBUSS learning community is open to organisations that want to contribute to accessible transport through AI and robotics. Participate? You can register at www.columbuss.eu

Video report (NOS national public television)